Look, I’ve been in thousands of rental properties over the years and let me tell you… nothing ruins your bond refund faster than a pest issue at the final inspection.
**Especially here on the Gold Coast.** The humidity, the warmth – it’s basically pest paradise.
So you’re moving out, you’ve scrubbed everything till it shines, carpets are spotless (hopefully you got them professionally cleaned – hint hint). Then the property manager walks in and spots droppings in the cupboard. Or worse… live cockroaches.
There goes your bond.
## The Big Three Pest Problems
From what I’ve seen doing end of lease cleans, these are the main culprits:
**1. Cockroaches**
They love kitchens. Behind the fridge, under the stove, inside cupboards. Even if you’re the cleanest person alive, they’ll find their way in.
**2. Spiders**
Redbacks in the garage, huntsmans in bedrooms, daddy long legs everywhere. Property managers hate seeing webs.
**3. Ants**
One tiny crumb and boom – you’ve got a highway of ants marching through your kitchen.
## Your Options (From Cheapest to Most Effective)
### DIY Spray Cans
Look, I get it. Moving is expensive. Those $8 cans from Bunnings seem tempting.
But here’s the thing… they barely work. You spray, bugs die for a day, then their cousins move in. Plus property managers can tell. That chemical smell gives it away every time.
### Pest Bombs
Better than spray cans but still pretty average. You set them off, leave for a few hours, come back to dead bugs everywhere. Great. Now you need to vacuum and wipe everything down again.
And they don’t last. Two weeks later? Bugs are back.
### Professional Treatment
This is where it gets interesting.
A proper pest control service (like what we offer at Masters Gold Coast) actually creates a barrier. We’re talking 3-6 months of protection. The products we use are commercial grade – you literally can’t buy them at the shops.
We spray:
– Inside all cupboards
– Behind appliances
– Window frames
– Door frames
– Skirting boards
– Outside entry points
**The best part?** You get a certificate. Hand that to your property manager and watch their face relax.
## Timing Is Everything
Here’s what most people get wrong…
They do pest control first, then spend a week cleaning. By the time inspection rolls around, new bugs have moved in.
**Do it this way instead:**
1. Clean everything first
2. Get your carpets professionally cleaned
3. Pest control 2-3 days before inspection
4. Final tidy up
5. Inspection = bond returned
## The Bundle Deal Secret
Okay so this is where I might sound a bit salesy but bear with me…
Most people book carpet cleaning and pest control separately. Two different companies, two call out fees, two invoices to track.
We do both. One visit. One invoice. Usually works out $50-80 cheaper.
Plus we know exactly what property managers look for. Been doing this for over 10 years across Southport, Surfers, Burleigh, Coolangatta… we’ve seen it all.
## What About “Pet-Friendly” Options?
People always ask this. Short answer – all professional treatments are pet safe once dry. Usually takes 2-4 hours.
Just keep pets out while we’re working and for a few hours after. Same goes for kids.
## Red Flags to Avoid
– Anyone offering pest control for under $80 (they’re using supermarket products)
– Companies that won’t provide a certificate
– “Natural” or “organic” pest control for rentals (property managers want the real deal)
– Anyone who can’t tell you exactly what products they use
## The Bottom Line
Your bond is usually $1000-2000+. Professional pest control costs maybe $120-180.
That’s less than 10% to guarantee you don’t fail on pests. Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Want my advice? Book your carpet cleaning and pest control together. Get it done 2-3 days before inspection. Get your certificate. Get your bond back.
Simple as that.
**Need it sorted?** Give the team at Masters Gold Coast a call on 0438 350 832. They’ll sort you out.
Been there, done that, got the bond back.
-Bryce