Pest Control FAQ

Straight answers to the questions we get asked most. Can’t find yours? Call us on 1800 38 66 55. Full guarantee conditions are on our Guarantee & Warranty Terms and Conditions page.

Before and During Your Treatment

Do I need to leave the house, and when can we come back in?

For our spider/general pest spray, ant, German cockroach, flea, moth (carpet, clothes and pantry) and carpet beetle treatments, everyone, including children, babies and pets, can come back inside 2 hours after the indoor treatment. If you’re pregnant or have a medical, allergy or breathing condition, please talk to your technician first.

Can my pets stay inside during treatment?

No. Pets need to stay out of treated areas during treatment and for 2 hours afterwards. We usually do the outside first so you and your pets can stay inside meanwhile, and once the outside is dry, pets can go back out. Fish ponds and water tanks must be fully covered during any spraying.

How long does a treatment take?

A general pest treatment for a typical 3–4 bedroom home usually takes around 1 to 1.5 hours. Our mice treatment takes a minimum of 1.5 hours, because we track the mice, install the bait and block internal entry points on the same visit.

Do I need to be home?

No. All our technicians are licensed and nationally police checked. You can let us in and leave, leave a key in an agreed spot, or have a neighbour, friend or family member there.

What should I do before the technician arrives?

Clear access along skirting boards and under sinks, empty any wardrobes you want treated, and note where you’ve seen activity. For end of lease flea treatments, vacuum carpets, rugs, furniture and hard floors beforehand.

What happens if it rains?

Light rain is fine. In heavy rain we’ll treat inside first, and if it doesn’t clear, we’ll reschedule the outside for another day that suits you.

Safety

Are your treatments safe for babies, pregnant women and pets?

We choose products to keep exposure low, and the highest risk is while products are being applied, so we recommend leaving the house during indoor treatment. Re-entry is 2 hours for the treatments listed above. Pregnant women and anyone with a medical condition should talk to your technician first, and we’ll adjust the products we use.

Will your products stain carpets, paint or furniture?

No. The products we use are non-staining, and we take care not to leave runs or drips on windows and walls.

Are rodent baits safe around children and pets?

Rodent bait goes inside wall cavities and secured roof void stations, not in your living areas, so children and pets can’t get to it.

After Your Treatment

Why am I seeing more pests after treatment?

That’s normal. Treatment flushes pests out of hiding, so you may see more spiders, ants, cockroaches, silverfish or rodents for a while. Activity usually drops off within about two weeks. Ant treatments can take up to 28 days to reach the whole colony.

I can still hear mice or rats. Will you come back?

Yes. Under the applicable guarantee, we return free of charge to re-inspect and replenish or adjust baits. Return visits are usually at least 14 days after treatment, so the treatment has time to work.

Do you remove dead animals?

Yes. We remove pest and animal carcasses.

Our Guarantees at a Glance

• 14-day pest-free guarantee: covered pest treatments (excluding timber pests). If the original infestation isn’t eradicated within 14 days, we return free, with up to two additional free visits.
• 12 months: spider / general pest spray.
• 6 months: targeted ant treatment.
• 5 years: rats, mice, possums and birds, once you complete the documented proofing works.
• Lifetime: rats, mice, possums and birds, when Zeropest completes the proofing works.
• 3 months: rodent treatment if you choose not to block the entry points.
• German cockroaches, pantry moths, bed bugs, wasps, bees and other pests: a guarantee applies only if we confirm it in writing.

All guarantees depend on the recommendations and proofing works documented on your paperwork being completed. Read the full Guarantee & Warranty Terms and Conditions.

About Zeropest

Are your technicians licensed, police checked and insured?

Yes. All technicians are fully licensed and nationally police checked, and the business is insured for public liability and professional indemnity. Our pest manager licence number is L010931.

Which suburbs do you service?

All of Melbourne and Greater Melbourne. See our South Yarra, Ascot Vale, Kew, Point Cook, Cranbourne and Dandenong pages, or call us to check.

Do you work weekends? What are your hours?

Yes, we work 7 days: Monday to Saturday 7am–11pm and Sunday 9am–5pm. We book out in advance, so call early.

What payment methods do you accept?

Cash, credit cards (no Amex), EFTPOS, Zip Pay, Bartercard, and bank transfer with cleared funds 48 hours before the work starts.

How often should I have pest control done?

We recommend a termite inspection every year, and a general pest treatment every 6–12 months. Some infestations need a more frequent program, and we’ll tell you if yours does.

Do you remove possums?

Yes, humanely and in line with Victoria’s Wildlife Act 1975. See possum removal.

Is it rats or a possum in my roof?

Rats scamper, scratch and gnaw (marks about 4 mm wide), leave greasy rub marks around entry holes, can be active day and night, and move around several parts of the house. Possums sound much heavier, are active at night, and usually stay in one area of the roof. We often find the “possum” is actually rats, and sometimes it’s both, so we confirm it on inspection.

Book Pest Control in Melbourne

Call 1800 38 66 55, 7 days a week, or send us your details and tell us what you’re seeing. We’ll confirm the right treatment and price before any work starts.

Rated 4.8/5 on Google, 4.9/5 on Trustindex and 5.0/5 on hipages. Word of Mouth Service Award winner 2019–2025. Licensed pest manager (VIC licence L010931).