PEST GUIDANCE

Rats and mice

Risks:

Carry a range of serious diseases and parasites. Can cause structural damage by burrowing and gnawing including electrical wiring which can lead to fires. Also cause significant damage to crops and food stores.



Signs:

Droppings, musky aroma, gnawed holes, scratching sounds in the walls.



Treatment:

Baits, traps and rodenticides. Entry points can be identified and sealed to prevent re-entry.

Wasps

Risks:

Wasps emit distress pheromones when they feel threatened which attracts larger numbers and can lead to swarming. Stings are painful and can cause a potentially fatal reaction to anyone who is allergic. Can also contaminate foodstuffs.



Signs:

Regular activity every few seconds around small holes in your property.



Treatment:

Screens and bait traps to prevent entry. Insecticides including liquid surface sprays and powders. Nest can be removed following successful treatment.

Cockroaches

Risks:

Carry a range of serious diseases. Faeces can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. They breed quickly and can contaminate food and anything else they come into contact with.



Signs:

Droppings which look like ground coffee.  Smear marks, egg capsules, shed skins and a lingering and unpleasant musty smell.



Treatment:

Sealing off potential breeding sites and preventing access to food and water can drive them into insecticidal bait traps and areas treated with surface and space sprays.



Bedbugs

Risks:

Painful, itchy bites which can cause severe irritation in adults, pets and children.



Signs:

Spots of blood on bedding, small brown spots on furniture (faeces), and an unpleasant almond like smell. Bites are normally in a zig zag pattern or line



Treatment:

Insecticides, although as they can be resistant to most of them, this may require multiple treatments. Any fabrics or bedding should be boil washed or thrown out, room should be well ventilated and any cracks or crevices thoroughly cleaned.

Birds

Risks:

Droppings. They are acidic, causing erosion and property damage. Guano can attract other pests, contain parasites and cause serious health issues if inhaled.



Signs:

Nest activity and visible droppings. Some birds such as gulls can be highly territorial around their nests.



Treatment:

Bird proofing measures can prevent nesting. Falconry can scare away birds or in extreme cases culling may be an option.

Fleas

Risks:

Disease and parasite transmission. Famously carried the plague and can also transmit tapeworms.



Signs:

Tiny pepper like dots (faeces) and itchy red bites, those these will not be in a line like bedbug bites.



Treatment:

Similar to bed bugs, this will require insecticides and thorough cleaning or disposal of any clothing or fabrics. Also ensure that any pets or animals are up to date with their flea treatments.



Flies

Risks:

Transmit a number of pathogens and diseases and can breed extremely quickly.



Signs:

Are highly visible and easy to spot.



Treatment:

Insecticides and maggot traps. Sealing waste securely and fly screens can limit breeding. Any manure on agricultural sites should be kept as dry as possible.

Ants

Risks:

Can be a nuisance, contaminate food and cultivate greenfly in a garden or agricultural site.



Signs:

Workers are easy to spot as they forage for food.



Treatment:

Insecticides. Ensuring all food is sealed can also deter them and avoid spoilage.

Spider beetles

Risks:

Can cause damage to packaging, bags and sacks as they bore and can subsequently contaminate food.

Signs:

Holes in food packaging covered in silky cocoons, which are spun by their larvae.

Treatment:

Traps, insecticides and fumigation. Regular stock rotation and store cleaning can also help to prevent an infestation.