Latest news with #EBSQueensland
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Aussie homeowners warned after tradie called in to investigate destructive find in roof
A "scary" noise coming from the roof of a family home has prompted a tradie to issue a warning to Aussie residents. Leading pest controller Jhy Carroll was called to a Gold Coast home this week after a resident reported her children were terrified to go to bed due to a noise coming from their roof. After investigating, it was revealed possums had gnawed through thick lead flashings, which prevent water from entering a roof at its joints, to gain entry to the family's roof and make a home inside. "A family of possums were living in a customer's roof void," Carroll, from EBS Queensland, told Yahoo. He warned that as the weather gets cooler around the country, possums will attempt to enter people's roofs to nest for the cooler months. "Possums pose a risk of gnawing on wiring or other electrical components in the roof space; they also make a lot of noise, which in this case was scaring her young children at bedtime," he said, adding that the nocturnal animals are more active at night. 🪹 Aussies urged to make 'critical' backyard change to combat national crisis 🔥 Winter warning to Aussie residents after surprising discovery in fireplace 🚨 Incredible scene in the middle of Aussie road as driver forced to stop and film As the weather cools, wildlife around the country are looking for a warm and safe place for the winter. A similar warning was issued by a wildlife rescuer in the ACT after a brushtail possum was found attempting to make a home inside a hotel. The possum was discovered hiding on top of the wood stacked high next to the foyer's fireplace. Luckily, he didn't put up much of a fight, and after removing a few pieces, the rescuers were able to wrap a towel around the 'very healthy' animal and place it in a rescue basket. Carroll warned that if Aussies find a possum in their homes, they should "find their entry points and block them off" so that possums can't gain entry. "Just make sure there are no possums in the roof as you block it off as they won't be able to get out," he added. "Alternatively, call your local pest control company to advise on the best solution for your home." Wildlife rescuers suggest placing species-appropriate nest boxes around your property as a safer alternative for the animals. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tradie's sinister find uncovers expensive $4,000 mistake in Aussie home
A sinister discovery made by a tradie inside an Australian property has prompted an urgent warning to homeowners as the cooler months set in. Termites can pop up in unexpected places and wreck havoc on Aussie homes, even those with brick structures. Now, pest controller Jhy Carroll has warned residents that while it may look aesthetic, keeping wood meant for burning inside the home can come with expensive and destructive consequences. One Currumbin Waters family learned this lesson the hard way after discovering an infestation of termites beside their fireplace. "These termites were introduced into the home through the firewood," Carroll from EBS Queensland told Yahoo. He warned residents to "keep all your firewood outside away from the structure and only bring in what you need as you use it." While it's generally unlikely that termites hiding in firewood could be in the home for long enough to establish a colony, "they can still cause extensive damage to the structure," he said. In this instance, the skirting boards by the built-in firewood storage area were infiltrated by termites, costing the homeowners thousands. "To treat the activity and to put in a termite baiting system to this job was about $4,000 total," Carrol explained. The system was placed around the property to protect it from further termite attack in the future. 🐜 Photos show costly 'myth' for Aussie homeowners 🏠 Homeowners warned over invasive bugs in roof insulation 📚Woman's disastrous find in bookshelf: 'I felt physically sick' According to the Australian Museum, termite colonies are formed during warm, humid weather, typically in spring and autumn. Carroll previously told Yahoo, there are two main ways to prevent termites, one is with a chemical barrier and the other is an in-ground baiting system. "Chemical barrier treatment consists of digging a trench around the external perimeter of the home and chemically treating the soil area," he said. While in-ground systems are also installed around the external perimeter of the house, they include a bait that the termites feed on to "eliminate the colony". Those in the industry almost unanimously urge homeowners to get termite inspections every year or two, typically costing a few hundred dollars. If treatment is required, however, that can range from between $2,000 to $8,000. Speaking to Yahoo News last week, pest controller Christopher James warned that "nobody's immune to termite damage". "When you've got a brick home, a double brick home, it doesn't really matter too much," the Sydney-based exterminator said. "A brick home still has a timber structure roof. It'll still have doorways, windowsills, eaves that can be eaten". "Because they are a subterranean species, they can come in from underground undetected. They can travel over brick, through brick, wherever they need to go to get to the next piece of timber." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.