Blog

Graysons blog provides perspective on cleaning topics, professional and DIY advice in house cleaning, gutter cleaning, window cleaning and pest control.

Things you find in gutters

03 September 2009

Here is a list of some of the many different things that Grayson's has found in our customers roof gutters and drainpipes.

Leaves, twigs, dirt, weeds, acorns, berries and nuts, earth worms, plastic rubbish, bones, dead birds, a dead rat, a possum, a dead bat, tennis balls, golf balls, ant nests, bird nests, spider nests, children's toys, nails, screws, bolts, wire, plastic and glass bottles, cans of soft drink, a hub cap, a condom, a stink pipe cover, cigarette butts and packets, cement, concrete, silicone, broken tiles, builders waste, trademen's tools, newspapers, clothing, electrical tape, bird droppings, possum droppings, broom sticks, pieces of wood

the list goes on ....

With the problem of all this rubbish in the gutters you would begin to search for a solution. For many years Grayson's has contemplated over various solutions. That's why we've come to specialise in gutter cleaning and gutter guards in Melbourne. Comments (0)

Black House (Window) Spider Cobwebs

01 September 2009

One of the worst offending breeds for cobwebs is the Black House Spider Ixeuticus robustus, also known as the Window Spider, or also known as Badumna insignis which describes those in bushland areas. The Ixeuticus spider family loves to build its nest in the nooks and crannies around our homes. An average Melbourne household can be the home of hundreds of these 8-legged creatures.

The Black House Spider builds a thick, sticky bluish cobweb that causes an unsightly mess. The cobweb build up can be so thick that it may attract other spiders and together it combines into a breeding ground where many arachnids can thrive and the strongest compete for territory. The females lay egg sacs and if left untouched the entire silky mess can house third and forth generations of Black House Spiders. What was originally the cobweb nest of one active adult can become the home for hundreds of smaller 8-legged critters. The nesting space becomes so overrun that most of the spiders are forced to move and they can find their way into your bedrooms via the walls and cavities.

Would you invite these creepy little guys into your home?

The largest female Window Spiders may grow up to 23mm and can lay up to 3 or 4 egg sacs in a year producing up to approximately 300 spiderlings. The spiderlings will stay in the mother's nest until they're about 2 years old.

Black House Spiders Attract White Tail Spiders
Adult and young Black House Spiders are one of the favourite preys of White Tail Spiders. Removing the cobwebs of Black House Spiders will actually deter and control the White Tail Spiders.

Get them removed ...

The build up of cobwebs around your home can be a pain in the neck and Grayson's is well equipped to put your mind at rest. Two-storey work is our specialty and we can remove even the most difficult cobwebs.

Regular Cobweb Cleaning can actually kill off the spiders because without the webs they can no longer feed. Old cobwebs collect dust and can leave stains on your eaves, gutters and fascia boards.
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Worst Trees for blocking gutters

31 August 2009

Large trees around your home are usually the worst contributing factor in gutter blockage. Gum Trees are the worst trees in Australia for gutter blockage.

One gum tree can drop so much rubbish all year round. Gum Trees also shed a lot of small to large twigs and branches, which can cover your roof.

If your house is surrounded by giant Gum Trees than the gutters seem to block up before you�ve even finished clearing them. This is where many ask, �will Gutter Guard help?� Comments (0)

White Tail Spider control

28 August 2009

One of Melbourne's most feared and misunderstood spiders is the White Tail (Lampona cylindrata). The bite of this spider supposedly causes a severe skin ulceration known as Necrotising arachnidism. The White Tail is a hunter type and doesn't actually build it's own web. It hunts and stalks other spiders like a cannibal. It lives off the webs of other spiders.

The White Tail is an efficient killer and one of its favorite meals is adult and young Black House Spiders. While removing the cobwebs of Black House Spiders we are actually deterring the White Tail. Comments (0)

Daddy Long Legs spider webs attract other pests

27 August 2009

Daddy Long Legs Spiders (Pholcus phalangioides) are very common in Melbourne. While they may seem harmless enough, but their webs can attract a whole host of problems.

The Daddy Long Legs has a tendency to build its cobwebs in and around our homes and is recognized as the most common spider in Australian. It is well known to shake the web when disturbed.

If left untouched an old cobweb of the Daddy Long Legs can be the foundation of a larger web for next generations of pests.

The presence of the cobweb can make it easier for other Spiders to build on in future.

Regular Cobweb Removal will help to eradicate pests attracted by the Daddy Long Legs web.

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