Borer

If you’ve noticed small holes in wooden floorboards, skirting boards, or structural timbers—accompanied by fine, flour-like dust (called “frass”)—you may have wood borer, commonly known as house borer or pinhole borer.

Unlike pests that invade from outside, borer beetles often hatch from timber already in your home. The adult beetles lay eggs in cracks or old holes, and the larvae tunnel through wood for 2–5 years, weakening it from the inside out. You usually only notice the problem when adults emerge, leaving behind tiny exit holes (1–2mm wide).

Key facts:

Borer attacks untreated, dry native or imported softwoods—common in older North Canterbury homes built before the 1980s
They don’t spread from house to house, but can cause serious structural damage if left untreated
Infestations are silent and slow—often discovered during renovations or inspections

Signs to watch for:

Fresh, clean-looking holes (not weathered or dusty)
Powdery bore dust beneath holes
Weak or crumbling timber when probed

Important: Surface spraying won’t stop borer. The larvae live deep inside the wood, so effective treatment requires penetrating solutions or, in severe cases, timber replacement and professional fumigation.

If you suspect borer, get it assessed early. Early treatment preserves your home’s integrity—and avoids costly repairs later.

Wasps

If you’ve spotted wasps flying near your eaves, garden shed, or compost bin, it’s time to pay attention. In North Canterbury, common wasps and German wasps are the usual culprits—and they’re more than just a summer nuisance.

Unlike bees, wasps are aggressive when threatened and can sting repeatedly. Their nests—often hidden in wall cavities, roof spaces, or underground—can grow to thousands of individuals by late summer. A single nest near a doorway, playground, or outdoor dining area poses a real safety risk, especially for children or those with allergies.

Key signs of a wasp nest:

Steady stream of wasps entering/exiting a small hole (in walls, sheds, or the ground)
Wasps hovering low over lawns (may indicate an underground nest)
Nest visible in sheltered spots like eaves, letterboxes, or compost bins

Do not attempt to remove a nest yourself. Disturbing it can provoke a mass attack. Over-the-counter sprays rarely reach deep nests and can cause wasps to scatter—or worse, enter your home through wall cavities.

Professional treatment is fast, safe, and usually completed in one visit. We use targeted methods to eliminate the nest at its source, with minimal disruption to your day.

Wasps are most active from December to April, but nests begin forming in spring. The earlier a nest is treated, the smaller and safer the job.

If you see consistent wasp activity near your home, don’t wait for a sting to act. A quick call could prevent a dangerous situation.

Rodents

If you’ve heard scratching in the walls at night, found droppings in the pantry, or noticed chewed food packaging, you likely have mice or rats. Rodents aren’t just a nuisance—they pose real risks to your health, safety, and home.

Mice can squeeze through gaps as small as 6mm (the width of a pencil). Rats are stronger, capable of gnawing through wood, plastic, and even soft metals. Both carry diseases, contaminate food, and can chew electrical wiring—creating a serious fire hazard.

Signs you might have rodents:

Droppings (mouse: rice-sized; rat: larger, capsule-shaped)
Gnaw marks on food bags, skirting boards, or pipes
Nesting material (shredded paper, insulation, fabric)
Grease marks along walls from their oily fur

Rodents reproduce quickly—a single pair of mice can lead to over 50 descendants in just 3 months. Traps alone often aren’t enough, especially if entry points aren’t sealed.

Effective control involves three steps:

Exclusion – Seal all entry points with steel wool, mesh, or durable sealants
Elimination – Use targeted, humane trapping or baiting methods
Sanitation – Remove food and water sources that attract them

The longer you wait, the more damage they’ll cause—and the harder (and costlier) it becomes to remove them.

If you suspect rodents, it’s best to act now. Early intervention protects your home, your family, and your peace of mind.

Spiders & Whitetails

If you’ve seen spiders around your North Canterbury home—especially fast, pale ones darting across walls—you’re likely dealing with either common house spiders or the much-misunderstood white-tailed spider.

First, the facts:

Most spiders are harmless and actually help by eating flies, moths, and other pests.
White-tailed spiders (easily identified by their grey body and white spots at the tip of their abdomen) do not cause flesh-eating ulcers—this myth has been debunked by multiple medical studies. Their bite may cause mild, temporary irritation (like a bee sting), but serious reactions are extremely rare.

So why are they inside?
Spiders don’t seek out humans—they come indoors hunting other insects. If you’re seeing more spiders, it often means you have another pest problem (like flies or silverfish) that’s attracting them.

Prevention isn’t about killing spiders—it’s about removing their food source and entry points:

Reduce outdoor lighting that attracts insects (which in turn attract spiders)
Seal gaps around windows, doors, and foundations
Keep vegetation trimmed away from your home’s exterior
Regularly dust corners, ceilings, and window frames to remove webs

If you’re uncomfortable with spiders or have a high number indoors, a professional inspection can identify what’s drawing them in—and address the root cause, not just the symptom.

Remember: most spiders are allies, not enemies. But if white-tails or large huntsmans are causing stress, we can help reduce their presence safely and humanely.

Carpet Beetle/Moth

If you’ve noticed small holes in wool jumpers, rugs, or curtains—or tiny, slow-moving beetles near skirting boards—you may have carpet beetles or clothes moths. Unlike pests that invade for food or water, these insects feed on natural fibres: wool, silk, feathers, fur, and even pet hair.

Carpet beetles are small (2–3mm), round, and often mottled in brown, white, and orange. Their larvae—fuzzy, brown, and slow-moving—are the real culprits, chewing through carpets, upholstery, and stored clothing.

Clothes moths are small, beige, and avoid light. You’ll rarely see the adult moth; it’s the larvae (tiny white caterpillars) that damage fabrics, often hidden in folds, seams, or under furniture.

Both pests thrive in undisturbed areas: under beds, in wardrobes, or inside stored boxes. They don’t bite or spread disease, but they can cause expensive damage before you even notice them.

Prevention tips:

Regularly clean and vacuum, especially under furniture
Store seasonal clothing in sealed containers with natural repellents (e.g., cedar blocks)
Wash or dry-clean wool and silk items before storing
Declutter old fabrics, pet beds, or taxidermy—common food sources

If you see damage or larvae, the infestation is likely established. Unlike surface pests, these hide deep in fibres, so DIY sprays rarely reach them. Professional treatment targets hidden larvae and breaks the cycle.

Don’t wait for more damage—early action saves your favourite pieces.

Fleas

If you or your family are getting small, itchy bites—especially around the ankles—you may be dealing with fleas. While they typically hitch a ride on cats or dogs, fleas can quickly infest your home even if pets rarely come inside.

Fleas lay eggs in carpets, bedding, and furniture. These eggs hatch into larvae that hide deep in fibres, making them nearly impossible to remove with vacuuming alone. One female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day, so a few unnoticed pests can become a full infestation in weeks.

Unlike ants or flies, fleas won’t go away on their own. Over-the-counter sprays often miss hidden eggs and pupae, leading to repeated outbreaks. Effective treatment requires targeting all life stages—adults, eggs, larvae, and pupae—through a combination of professional-grade products and thorough home preparation.

Before treatment:

Wash all bedding and pet blankets in hot water
Vacuum thoroughly (including under furniture) and dispose of the bag immediately
Treat your pets with a vet-approved flea product—this is essential

Fleas are more than a nuisance; they can trigger allergies and carry diseases. The good news? With the right approach, they can be eliminated for good.

If you suspect fleas, act quickly. The sooner you treat, the easier it is to stop the cycle.

Silverfish

If you’ve spotted a small, silvery-grey insect darting across your bathroom floor or hiding in a bookshelf, you’ve likely seen a silverfish. These teardrop-shaped pests are harmless—they don’t bite, sting, or spread disease—but their presence signals something important: excess moisture.

Silverfish thrive in damp, humid environments like bathrooms, laundries, and basements. They feed on starchy materials—glue in book bindings, wallpaper paste, cardboard, and even some fabrics—so they’re often found in storage areas or near paper products.

Unlike many pests, silverfish can live for several years and survive long periods without food, making them persistent once established. They’re nocturnal and fast-moving, so you’ll usually see them at night or when you disturb their hiding spots.

The key to managing silverfish isn’t just spraying—it’s reducing humidity. Use exhaust fans, fix leaks, and consider a dehumidifier in problem areas. Declutter cardboard boxes and keep books in dry, well-ventilated spaces.

If you’re seeing them regularly, it’s a sign your home has conditions they love. A targeted inspection can identify moisture sources and entry points, so you can address the root cause—not just the symptom.

Ants

If you see ants trailing through your kitchen, they’re not just passing through—they’re foraging for food or water. Even tiny crumbs or spills can attract them. Once a scout finds a source, it leaves a chemical trail for others to follow, creating the lines you see.

The most common household ants in our region are white-footed house ants and Argentine ants. They don’t bite or pose health risks, but they can contaminate food by tracking bacteria from outdoors.

Spraying visible ants rarely solves the problem. These workers come from a nest—often outside your home—that can house thousands. Surface sprays don’t reach the queen and may cause the colony to split, making the issue worse.

The most effective approach is baiting. Ants carry the bait back to the nest, gradually eliminating the entire colony. It’s targeted, longer-lasting, and safer for homes with kids or pets.

Prevention tips:

Keep surfaces clean and food sealed
Seal cracks around windows and doors
Trim branches touching your house—they’re ant highways

If ants keep returning, the colony is well-established. A professional can identify the species and entry points, ensuring the right solution from the start.

Flies & Cluster Flies

If you’re seeing flies gathering around your windows this autumn, you’re not alone—but not all flies are the same. As a pest tech who’s dealt with thousands of fly calls across Rangiora, Kaiapoi, and Amberley, I can tell you: knowing the difference between house flies and cluster flies changes everything. Here’s the lowdown:

House Flies
(Musca domestica)

When they show up: Year-round, but worst in summer
Where they come from: Garbage, compost, pet waste, rotting food – anywhere unhygienic
What they do: Land on your food, spread bacteria (like E. coli and Salmonella), and breed fast (one pair can make 2 billion descendants in 6 months!)
What they look like:
- 6–7mm long
- Grey body with four dark stripes on the thorax
- Reddish eyes, spongy mouthparts
- Constantly moving, erratic flight

Key sign: If they’re around your kitchen bin or compost – it’s house flies.
We treat: Sanitation advice plus targeted fly control to break the cycle.

Cluster Flies
(Pollenia rudis)

When they show up: Autumn through winter – they’re looking for a warm place to hibernate!
Where they come from: Outside – they breed in earthworms in lawns, then fly into your roof, walls, or attic to overwinter
What they do: Don’t breed indoors, don’t spread disease, and don’t land on food. But they gather in huge, annoying clusters on sunny walls or windows in spring when they wake up.
What they look like:
- Slightly larger (8mm) and sluggish
- Dark grey or black with golden hairs on the thorax (looks fuzzy in sunlight)
- Wings folded tightly over body at rest
- Slow, clumsy fliers – you can often catch them by hand

Key sign: Big groups of slow flies on upper windows in March to October = cluster flies.
We treat: Exclusion (sealing entry points) plus safe attic treatment to prevent next season’s swarm.

QUOTE