Summer Pests Part 3 – The Ant, The Moth,
The Spider and The Beetle
There are all
kinds of summer insects that cause us problems. Some are nothing more than an
inconvenient nuisance but other deliver a nasty sting, such as the wasp that we
looked in part 1 of the summer series and the bee in part 2.
Now we turn our
attention to other summer insects and how they can be dealt with…
The Garden Ant
Like the wasp
and some species of bees, the garden ant can build a nest that contains
thousands of ants.
There are
different species of ant but the one we most commonly deal with is the garden
ant. Dark red or brown in colour, they enjoy sandy, lighter soil that they can
easily move through and around on. They can also make their nests in the
foundations of a building, as well as under patios and decking which can be a
nuisance when you are trying to enjoy the summer sun.
Providing food
for birds and other insects, the ant is a common sight in gardens across the
UK. Unfortunately, it likes sugary-sweet foods and that means the jar of jam,
or the half-eaten apple etc. left on the outdoor table.
Once one ant
finds a food source, it tells the colony and, forming an orderly line to and
from the food source, they will continue to traipse back and forth to their
nest with pieces of food.
A nuisance, but
not dangerous to health.
The Moth
Pest controllers
all across the UK are bracing themselves for the number of calls relating to
moth infestations to continue rising. The mild winter has favoured the moth and
with the super-pest
Diamondback moth making an appearance in the UK, there are concerns that
food crops will be damaged.
In the case of
the homeowner, moths are more likely to be clothes or carpet moths, both of
which enjoy chewing on natural fibres. If you see tell-tale signs of damage and
a ‘musty’ smell, give our team a call.
The Spider
There are around
660 species of spider in the UK, some of which are more prone to enjoy the
safety of your home than others.
People can have
very real fear of spiders and whilst one in the bath every now and then is
something most of can cope with, but finding spiders - and their babies - in
the home can far more traumatic.
Like most
insects, spiders will use your home as a place of safety rather than invading
it to try and take over. If you so keep seeing a lot of spiders hanging about,
then you will need to call our expert spider removal team.
The Beetle
The carpet
beetle, like other insects becomes more active with the warmth of spring and
summer. They can often be found in May and June looking for egg laying sites.
Your carpets and soft furnishings with a minimal amount of natural fibres are
the perfect places to lay eggs.
Unfortunately,
the emerging larvae chew a hold in the fabric leaving to expensive damage in
carpets, sofas and curtains too.
Again, our team
can help! What other summer insects cause a nuisance?
