D6 Reducing negative effects of animals, insects and vermin

COMMUNITY CHECK AND FIX

• Check for and destroy ant and termite mounds and cockroach nests around houses.
• Seal gaps, cracks and junctions, particularly between walls, floors and cupboards (1), and between benches, sinks and cupboards.
• Check and fix high storage shelves in the kitchen and wet areas; if none available, consider installing them.
• Check and fix doors, handles, locks and catches to the pantry and kitchen cupboards. 
• Check and fix security screen doors (2).
• Check and fix fences and gates (3).
• Check that there is a secure fixing point for the bin (4); if not, install one.
• Check yard taps (5) are secure and not dripping, and that there are drains beneath the taps to prevent water pooling.
• For houses built high enough above the ground, check the area under the house is fully screened (6) or enclosed.
• Cut back tree branches (7) that touch the house, and remove garden beds that touch the walls or house posts.
• Check and fix insect screens (8) to doors and windows; if none available, consider installing them.
• If there is pooling in the yard, fix the drains or fill the yard to prevent future pooling.
• Clean gutters and the first flush device on water tanks, so they don’t hold water
• Check and replace mesh on rainwater tanks, drainage vent pipes, septic systems, and composting toilets, to prevent breeding of flies and mosquitoes
• Empty out any containers that are holding water.
• Consider a regular community clean up program to remove objects from the yard that harbour pests such as wood piles, old furniture and old cars.
• Consider organising a dog (9) health program, feral animal control (10) and regular pest management program.