What's different in Woy Woy
An inlet at the door
NPWS describes Woy Woy as lying on a shallow inlet on the western shore of Brisbane Water National Park. The NSW Government names it, with Gosford, as a major town on the estuary.
Sand underfoot
NSW threatened species records describe the Umina, Woy Woy and Ettalong Sandplain as a beach ridge system of coastal sands. Ants and other burrowing pests find that easy going.
The park behind you
Bush this close can bring possums to the roofline and funnel-webs to damp, shady corners. Treat any big black spider bite as a 000 emergency.
Living in a unit block?
NSW has a notice rule for shared areas. Whoever arranges pest work in a residential complex's common area must give residents a pesticide use notice at least 5 working days before, and that includes strata managing agents.
Emergency work on biting or dangerous pests, such as rodents, wasps, bees, venomous spiders or fleas, can skip the 5 days if a notice is displayed and records are kept. If you've got cats, fish or allergies, tell your strata manager early.
Getting a pest inspection before you buy
Book before you exchange
Most consultants want 2 to 3 days' notice, and the cooling-off period is short.
Ask for access
Subfloors, roof spaces and garages need to be reachable, or the report will say they weren't seen.
Read what wasn't inspected
A good report lists what couldn't be checked and why.
Get the building half separately
A building inspection is a different profession, usually a builder, surveyor or architect.
Around the house
You can
- Keep firewood and timber off the ground, and away from walls.
- Fix dripping taps and downpipes, since damp draws termites.
- Check shoes left outside, and don't leave clothes on the floor overnight.
Leave to a pest business
- Termite inspections and treatment.
- Spider treatment around burrows and the house edge: ask what it can and can't do.
- Possum proofing and any lawful catch and release.
If it were our place in Woy Woy
We'd start with damp: gutters, downpipes and anything dripping against the walls. Then a termite inspection if there hasn't been one lately. In a unit, go through your strata manager first. For anything else, tell us what you've found.
Want someone to look at it?
Tell us what you've seen and your postcode, and a local pest business that handles exactly that calls you to talk it through.
