Wednesday, 23 December 2020
Merry Christmas from SOS Pest Control
Monday, 7 December 2020
Rats & Mice-Control & Prevention
Rats & Mice-Control & Prevention
- Adult mice are typically smaller in size to adult rats
- Mice have longer tails than their bodies
- Rats have longer faces than mice and a thicker tail
- Rats are usually dark brown/ black in colour, mice are more light to dark brown
- Droppings
- Scratching sounds in the wall cavities or under the floorboards
- A strong odour
- Entrance holes into your home through loose brickwork, wooden frames, air vents or pipes
- Check any potential entry points into your home such as loose brickwork, gaps in seals around windows, doors and air vents.
- Keep your kitchen clean and tidy
- Keep bin lids tightly sealed
- Clean bins regularly and keep away from property entrances
Tuesday, 24 November 2020
Pest Control and Your Business
Pest Control and Your Business
While most of the country is in some sort of lockdown or tiered restriction, it appears things will continue in a similar fashion over the next month or so. But do not worry, pest controllers are considered essential workers and we are here for you.
Even if you have had to close your doors to the public for a period of time, pests are still around, and in full force. Now is the time of year we complete quite a lot of contract work for rat and mice control and proofing. Especially in food establishments, having regular reviews of your premises by pest controllers is very important for you and your customers. Being aware of and preventing pest infestations is key to a great business.
During this particular time of year, unwanted visitors such as rats and mice are looking for a nice warm environment with access to food. A restaurant, shop or pub are prime establishments that will attract these pests as they search for winter locations to nest. Noticing droppings? Scratching in walls? Gnawing marks? Time to call in a professional!
There are lots of ways pest controllers can help remove and proof your building against all sorts of pests. Remember, we are here to help!
Monday, 9 November 2020
Pest Control and Coronavirus- We Are Still Business As Usual
Pest Control and Coronavirus- We Are Still Business As Usual
As we enter into the second lockdown of the year, we would just like to remind our customers that we are still here for you. We are able to work and will do so in the safest way possible, for you and our team. Pest problems can be really uncomfortable to deal with, so do not suffer in silence.
Give us a call!
Friday, 30 October 2020
Squirrel Control & Proofing
Squirrel Control & Proofing
We are getting to that time of year again where the weather is turning colder and wetter. This means that pests are looking for locations to hide out and create a nest for the winter months to come. Squirrels are a prime example of the type of pest you could be dealing with in October and November.
Firstly, it is important to note that pest controllers will not deal with red squirrels. This is because they are protected due to their dwindling numbers. Grey squirrels are not actually native to the UK, and they are considered to be an invasive pest. They are carriers of a disease that does not affect their health but unfortunately, our red squirrels are not immune to it and it will cause them to die if contracted. Grey squirrels are also more aggressive in nature so they regularly beat red squirrels to food and shelter supplies too.
Grey squirrels are predominantly active during the day; foraging for nuts, berries, vegetables and of course food from bird feeders! However, if food is scarce, then they will eat insects, small rodents and bird eggs. They are also well known for burying hordes of food to get them through the winter. They have a wonderful sense of smell, so are able to find these pockets of food very easily even weeks after burying them.
Like with most pests, prevention is always better than cure. There are a few things you can do to deter squirrels from entering or trying to enter your property;
· cut back any trees or plants climbing the side of your property as these provide easy access to your roof/loft space
· make sure any gaps/holes are blocked and sealed
· regularly check loft spaces for droppings, damage to boxes and other stored items
· try not to leave food out where possible and invest in a squirrel proof bird feeder if you can
As always, we recommend that you call in a professional when dealing with pest problems. SOS Pest Control are trained professionals and can deal with all types of pest issues.
Thursday, 8 October 2020
Flea Treatment & Control
Fleas
Flea infestations can be a real pain. One of the main issues with fleas is that due to their small size even as adults, their eggs and larvae are even harder to see. The chances being that if you see an adult flea, there are likely to be at least 10 eggs that you can’t see! Flea infestations can get out of hand very quickly as they are able to multiply rapidly. Plus them being quite difficult to see, it can seem very overwhelming dealing with this pest alone.
But do not worry, SOS Pest Control can help! We have the knowledge, understanding and effective treatments to be able to deal with the problem quickly.
Fleas can infest homes or offices. They are very good at hitching a ride on clothes and in bags so no warm environments are out of bounds. They will take comfort in carpets, sofas and curtains to name a few. It is important to keep any fabrics cleaned and areas hoovered on a regular basis. And remember, once you have hoovered, remove the bag and dispose of it immediately in order to take any potential fleas outside the building.
Fleas need food. This comes from the blood meals they enjoy from you or your pet. Their bites do not hurt at the time; however, they can cause redness, swelling and itching. Some people can have more adverse reactions to flea bites which can require treatment. These bites can really distress your pet too as they will constantly be scratching, trying to remove the adults and larvae from their fur. Adult fleas cannot fly, but they can however jump a considerable distance and height. This is how they are able to move from host to host.
A flea problem is nothing to be embarrassed about and please do not delay in calling us!
Monday, 28 September 2020
Autumn Pests- Time To Get Proofing
Autumn Pests- Time To Get Proofing
As we enter in the Autumn season, days become shorter, the weather turns colder, and in typical UK spirit, the cloudy days get more regular. As this seasonal weather starts to come in, now is a great time to start looking at potential entry points for pests to gain access to your home, garage or shed. Pests do not really like the cold either, so they will be looking for warmth, shelter and a good food supply so naturally, your home is the perfect location. Some of the main pests that are likely to try and get into your home are birds, squirrels, rats and mice. Although there are many other pests that you may come across too! Below we look at two hotspots in the home;
Roof/Chimney
Pests such as birds and squirrels are likely to try and nest in your loft space. The area is warm and dry and easy to access. Birds come with a multitude of problems, their feathers and nests can be infected with mites, their droppings are not only unsightly but can be a heath hazard. Squirrels are extremely noisy, especially during the early hours of the morning. They are destructive too, tearing up insulation, cardboard and fabrics to make a nice comfy nest.
What can you do?
- Check roof for loose tiles or holes in the insulation
- Make sure any nearby trees are pruned and kept away from the roof to keep access for squirrels to a minimum
- Keep guttering clear from any debris
- Put a cap on top of the chimney to stop birds trying to nest in there
Kitchen
Rats and mice can be a particular problem in the winter and your kitchen is a great place to stock up on food. They are not picky eaters either, so they will be sure to find something to their liking in your home. Mice by nature are far more inquisitive than rats so they will happily explore far and wide around the home. Rats are very destructive, being able to gnaw and chew their way through a variety of materials so no area is out of bounds. Any rat or mouse infestation can grow extremely quickly so if you one or evidence like droppings, it is highly suggested that you treat the problem quickly. Not only are they destructive, but rats and mice carry a lot of diseases that are harmful to humans.
What can you do?
- Make sure any pipe holes in the walls are sufficiently filled and proofing applied to those that run from outside to inside the property
- Keep your kitchen clean and tidy from food spillages and debris
- Make sure all foods are stored and secured in airtight containers
Whatever the pest, we are here to help. SOS Pest Control can deal with all sorts of pests and help you get your home proofed against them before winter comes.
Wednesday, 9 September 2020
Carpet Beetles
Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetle adults are around in full force towards the end of the summer. They are looking for suitable locations to lay their eggs. These little beetles may only be small; however, they are able to cause some serious damage if left to thrive.
Life Cycle
The entire life cycle of a carpet beetle is typically a month. Carpet beetle eggs can take between 1-2 weeks to hatch once laid. As they feed, they grow and once they enter the beetle phase, they will live for about 2 weeks. Their main aim being reproduction and then laying eggs.
What do they look like?
Carpet beetle eggs are small in size and white or cream in colour. As soon as they hatch, they actually look like hairy caterpillars. They too are only small, with bristles all over their worm-like body and typically brown in colour. Adult carpet beetles can vary in colour, some are speckled browns, whites, oranges and black, whilst others are black all over. Regardless of their colourings, they are rounded in shape, with 6 legs and 2 antennae. Adults are also able to fly which means they can find access to numerous locations around the home.
What do they eat?
It is the larvae that need to be within reach of food sources in order to grow into adults. The larvae will tend to eat any organic materials including but not limited to; carpets, wood, books and clothes. It is these larvae that will eat their way through these materials leaving unsightly holes in clothes and bald patches in your carpets.
What can you do?
Having carpet beetles in your home is simply bad luck. They can fly in through open doors and windows, be carried in on flowers and even previously owned furniture. There are however a few things you can do to help reduce the likelihood they would like to stay;
· Make sure to hoover and clean your home regularly
· Check any flowers/furniture for signs of adult beetles
· If you keep windows/doors open, perhaps invest in some nets or screens to help stop beetles entering your home
If you think you have carpet beetles in your home, you may be able to deal with the problem yourself. Using a hoover, you can thoroughly clean skirting boards and edges of carpets (they are a favourite location).
What we would suggest however, is to give a professional a call, like SOS Pest Control. We will be able to investigate and advise on the extent of the infestation and offer you efficient solutions to the problem. Leaving you carpet beetle free!
Friday, 21 August 2020
Moths
Moths
Friday, 7 August 2020
Pesky Flies!
Pesky Flies!
This week is set to be the hottest yet! And with such a scorcher of weekend coming up too, we thought it best to offer some information about flies.
With an increase in temperature, comes an increase in calls about dealing with fly problems. This is due to the heat speeding up the life cycle of the fly. In ideal conditions, the life cycle of eggs to maggots to flies can be completed in around 2 weeks. However, if the conditions are very warm, then this cycle can be completed in around 10 days!
Typical types of flies you are likely to encounter are houseflies and bluebottles. Houseflies are usually smaller than bluebottles, with brown striped bodies. Bluebottles get their name from their blue metallic colourings making them easy to distinguish from other flies. Bluebottles tend to have a loud buzz so you are definitely likely to know if you have a bluebottle around you. Houseflies are typically quieter flyers and tend to be found in larger groups. Bluebottles tend to invade the home in ones or twos.
A fly’s main purpose of existing is to eat and reproduce. An interesting fact about flies is they are happy to eat and lay their eggs in the same location. Houseflies will lay their eggs in household rubbish bins or compost heaps, whereas bluebottles tend to prefer dead animals or meat as prime location to lay their eggs. Flies are not typically fussy eaters and will pretty much eat anything and everything. They are attracted to particularly potent smells such a decaying food or animal matter, which will attract flies from miles away if the source smell is strong enough.
There are many things you can do as a homeowner to make sure that you are not bothered by flies this summer;
· Keep food waste bins clean by disinfecting them regularly, in and outside the home
· Make sure bin lids are tightly secured
· Try to keep food and bins out of sunlight as heat can exacerbate decomposition of food matter
· Keep wheelie bins away from doors and windows wherever possible
· Use fly screens on ground floor doors and windows to stop flies entering your home
· Make sure kitchen sides and floors are kept clean and tidy and free from food debris
Monday, 27 July 2020
What To Do About Wasps?
What To Do About Wasps?
Do not hesitate to give us a call today!
Friday, 10 July 2020
Black Garden Ants
Black Garden Ants
Don’t suffer in silence. If you think you have an ant problem, please give us a call today!
Monday, 29 June 2020
Top 5 Summer Pests
Top 5 Summer Pests
Ants- will enter your home through open doors and windows like most other pests. Ants in particular are foraging for food and are attracted to sweet food sources. Kitchens are the most likely place to see ants. Interestingly, they leave a trail to communicate with others in the colony where good food sources can be found.
Wasps- may have nests in many different locations-under decking, in the ground, in trees, in a roof or even a wall cavity…if you are finding wasps in your home the chances are there is a nest nearby. Wasps are pretty likely to sting you, so we highly recommend calling in a professional if you have a nest that needs removing.
Flies- houseflies and bluebottle flies are just two of many different types. Both are common during the summer months, finding food sources and locations to lay their eggs. Bins are a prime location for flies, so it is good practice to keep your bins cleaned on a regular basis and keep lids tightly closed. Make sure that bags are tied tightly and if possible, kept in the shade. Flies can transfer all sorts of bacteria so keeping your home fly free is very important.
Moths- with the heat that we have been experiencing in the UK recently, it may have accelerated the reproductive cycle of clothes moths. It is not the adult moths that cause damage (although they can be annoying flickering by the ceiling light) but the larvae. Once they hatch, the larvae feed on clothing, curtains and bedding. This in turn damages items by the holes they create. If you see more than 5 adult moths in the home, then you may have a moth infestation.
Hornets- although they can look like wasps, they are typically bigger in size. They also are more brown/reddish in colouring compared to the bright yellow and black of the wasp. Due to their larger size, the sting of a hornet is typically much more painful because of the amount of venom they can release. Interestingly, hornets are less aggressive than wasps and will only attack if they feel their nest is in danger.
Monday, 8 June 2020
The Differences Between Bees & Wasps (& Hornets)
Friday, 29 May 2020
Bees
Friday, 8 May 2020
Coronavirus & Pest Control
Coronavirus & Pest Control
Thursday, 30 April 2020
Bird Control & Proofing
Bird Control & Proofing
Monday, 6 April 2020
Pest Control During Coronavirus Lockdown
Monday, 30 March 2020