COMMON PESTS

Pest Control for ants, bed bugs, bees, beetles, cockroaches, fleas, flies, mice, moles, rats and rabbits!

ANTS

Garden ants are the most common type and are found all over the country. They are usually about 4 to 5mm long and brown/black in colour. The queen tends to be much larger at about 10 to 15mm. They usually nest outdoors in lawns, flower beds, beneath paving stones and at the base of walls. Premises are usually invaded by worker ants foraging for food, especially sweet foods. We will treat ants with gels, sprays and powders depending on the location of the nest.

BED BUGS

Bed bugs are reddish-brown in colour and 4 to 8 mm long. They feed on many warm-blooded animals, especially humans. Bed bugs usually hide in cracks or mattresses during the day and emerge at night to feed. They inject saliva as they feed and allergic reaction to this substance often causes slightly delayed swelling, itching and burning. We will carry out a thorough inspection to determine the source and extent of the infestation and treat the problem with residual insecticide.

BEES

Bees are not typically classed as a "pest" in our environment. We do not destroy them on environmental grounds as they are so essential to the well being of our countryside. We can however often relocate nests to a more suitable place.

BEETLES

There are many different types of beetle, for example, the carpet beetle. These are most commonly associated with bird's nests and usually live outdoors but will fly indoors to lay their eggs. We will treat the problem using residual insecticide.

COCKROACHES

CockroachThe two most common types of cockroaches are the German Cockroach and the Oriental Cockroach. Cockroaches carry a huge host of diseases and multiply rapidly in favourable conditions. They often go unnoticed until they become seen during the day, which is indicative of a serious infestation as they are predominately a nocturnal insect. Cockroaches rely on water and warmth and this encourages their presence behind freezers, fridges and cookers. These areas are often undisturbed and there is adequate food debris and water supply at hand. An integrated programme of sticky traps, spray treatments and cockroach gel will be employed to ensure no further outbreaks.

FLEAS

Fleas lay eggs in bedding materials of pets or on the pets themselves. A single female may produce 800-1000 eggs in one life time, which can be as long as two years. The larvae thrive on organic matter and adult flea excrement. At any one time a cat bed can host an infestation of 8000 immature (eggs, larvae) and 2000 mature adult fleas. A thorough treatment to all floor and fabric areas is required. We use the most up to date insecticides with hormone growth regulators to eradicate and break the lifecycle of the insect.

FLIES

Cluster Flies

Cluster Flies inhabit roof spaces between September through to March. The adults lay the eggs externally in flowerbeds and compost heaps. When colder weather arrives they seek shelter to hibernate over winter in roof voids and cavities. Thousands can accumulate leaving householders devastated in early spring when the flies decide to vacate the roof spaces and invade the living areas of the properties. We carry out an insecticidal fogging treatment to the loft space.

Common/Lesser House Fly

Common FlyThe Common House Fly can be found in most households throughout the UK. They breed in and around rubbish dumps and decaying matter. They are known for carrying a whole host of unwanted diseases. Removing breeding sites is of up most importance when trying to eradicate infestations. Lesser House Flies thrive in poultry manure and are found around predominately farming environments. House owners in the region of these sites will be able to identify the flies by their erratic flight patterns around lights internally and externally of their properties. We will treat these flies with fly bag traps, spray treatments to window frames, ceilings and light fittings or domestic electric fly killers.

Fruit Flies

Fruit Flies are very small and only 2-3mm long. Female fruit flies lay their eggs on the surface of rotting fruits and vegetables, and each female can lay up to 500 eggs in a batch. Flies are notorious for spreading disease by contaminating food and food preparation surfaces, hereby causing food poisoning. Infestations can develop very quickly, as they are able to lay eggs and multiply extremely quickly. Preventative techniques work best to control flies including ensuring high levels of hygiene at all times, and making sure that all food is covered to prevent flies from laying their eggs.

When flies are present, fly screens and fly catching equipment, can help to control the fly population. Where there is a major outbreak of flies has developed, the source of the infestation (where accessible) will need to be removed, and the area sprayed with an insecticide.

MICE

Please do not worry as this is a common problem, we can sort this out for you. Mice are small rodents with grey/brown fur measuring 6.5 to 10cm including tail and weighing less than 20 grams. Mice are omnivorous and are good at adapting to local environments but generally in rural environments eat cereals, seeds etc. Whilst they will drink free water they can in many cases survive without it, obtaining sufficient moisture from their food. House mice will typically live up to 2 years, reach sexual maturity in 6 weeks and can have as many as 5 to 10 litters per year consisting of 4 to 8 young. We will treat with bait boxes or trays placed at strategic feeding points. Mouse proofing is normally advisable.

MOLES

Moles grow up to 17cms in length and have dark, velvety fur. They can cause damage to lawns, golf courses and race courses etc. by making a network of tunnels underground for their food to drop into. Following a detailed survey, treatment will be carried out using gassing compound tablets or strategically placed mole traps.

MOTHS

There are two types of moths, a Common Clothes moth which is about 1cm long and golden in colour and an Indian Meal moth, which is about the same length, but with brown and cream colouring. As the name implies, a Common Clothes moth will attack fabrics and natural fibres. They tend to frequent areas with little foot traffic, i.e. under and behind items of furniture that aren't often moved. Indian Meal moths are found where food has been left in open packets in the back of a kitchen unit, particularly items like nuts. One of the symptoms is what appear to be "maggots" on the ceiling, usually the kitchen; these are in fact the larvae of this particular moth. Treatment will be carried out using a residual insecticide spray or a space treatment.

RABBITS

Rabbits have spread across the whole of the country in staggering numbers over the years. Rabbits can devastate crops and gardens. Rabbits breed rapidly, having up to 5 litters of 6 - 8 young per time. Each female reaches sexual maturity in just 2 - 3 months, so population explosions are quite typical if not controlled. Rabbits can strip young plants and crops and undermine roads, banks and gardens with their constant burrowing. We will treat the problem using several different methods e.g. shooting, ferreting, trapping using spring, cage and drop traps, and gassing with Aluminum Phosphide.

RATS

Please do not worry as this is a common problem, we can sort this out for you. Rats are large rodents which can measure up to 40cm in length (including the tail). Their fur colour can vary but is generally dull grey in colour. Rats are omnivorous and generally feed on cereals and grains. Contrary to popular beliefs regarding rats being dirty they are in fact very clean animals and spend up to 20% of their time grooming. They are however carriers of a number of diseases, the most publicised of which is Weils Disease which can be fatal to humans. Rats take between 2-3 months to reach sexual maturity and can have up to 7 litters per year with the average litter size being about 8. In order to avoid an infestation, we need to act quickly. We will treat with bait boxes or trays placed at strategic feeding points. Rat proofing is normally advisable.

SQUIRRELS

The grey squirrel is approximately 40cm in length and commonly seen in parks and gardens. They frequent loft spaces and can cause extensive damage. We would remove squirrels by using traps, cages and bait. We would then recommend squirrel proofing.

WASPS

Wasp are typically black and yellow and about 20mm long. In spring the queen wasps leave their hibernating quarters to seek nesting sites which could be a hole in the ground, a hollow tree or artificial structures such as eaves, lofts and garden sheds etc. Nest construction starts in earnest in June and will reach its maximum size in September, when 5,000 to 10,000 workers may be present. It is recommended that professional personnel are used in the treatment of wasps. An insecticidal powder will be used to spray the nest. Returning wasps will carry the insecticide into the heart of the nest and within a few hours all wasps should be dead.

AND MORE...

Got a pest problem not listed? No problem these are just some of the pests we cover. Contact us now to see if we can help!