Pest control

Prevention

Empty and remove unnecessary containers of water. Screen or cover any cisterns or water tanks.

Control 

Drain and fill boggy areas and depressions. Repair damaged septic tanks, introduce top feeding fish into ornamental ponds.

Treatment

Use a larvicide or light oil on ponds or still water. Spray a residual synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, eg, bifenthrin, permethrin, on outside breeding sites.

A fly’s reproduction cycle takes approximately one week.

Prevention

Get rid of all rubbish and manure. Fit doors and windows with screens.

Control 

Use knockdown sprays, for example, Raid®, Mortein®, for immediate control

Treatment

Spray walls, ceilings and window frames and vegetation, especially near rubbish containers with a synthetic pyrethroid spray, for example, alpha-cypermethrin, deltamethrin, permethrin

Cockroaches live and breed in moist dark places, for example, under refrigerators, in cupboards and pantries. Outdoors they live in piles of debris or rubbish.

Prevention 

Clean everything frequently, especially kitchens and dining rooms where food is handled.

Control

Remove potential breeding sites. Treat any infestation promptly.

Treatment

Use sticky board traps to monitor the extent of the cockroach population. Spray a residual synthetic pyrethroid into places where cockroaches hide. Employ a trained, qualified operator to apply baits. Use aerosol sprays of pyrethrum to flush the insects from their hiding places in heavy infestations.

Prevention

Cut grass frequently and get rid of weeds. Keep carpets and furnishings clean. Check and treat pets regularly.

Control 

Use synthetic pyrethroids for infested areas inside and outside, infested clothes, blankets, mattresses and other bedding.

Treatment

Wash clothing and bedding or sterilise by dry heat or steam using commercial equipment. Treat bed springs and supports with synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, for example, permethrin, deltamethrin, cypermethrin.

Prevention 

Inspect beds and bedding regularly.

Control

Apply an insecticide to baseboards and mouldings, wall crevices, bedsteads, springs and mattresses. Do not soak mattresses or treat infant bedding or cribs.

Treatment

Use residual sprays containing pyrethroids, for example, permethrin, deltamethrin, cypermethrin. If required, employ a qualified pest management technician to advise and monitor a bedbug control program.

Rats and mice carry disease, eat and contaminate food and cause structural damage.

Prevention 

Store food carefully and get rid of all rubbish. Proof all holes and accesses to buildings.

Control

Use traps and anti-coagulant baits because of their low level of toxicity for humans, eg, brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone, flocoumafen. Remove sources of food and water.

Treatment

If required, employ a qualified pest management technician to advise and monitor toxic baits.