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!

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. 

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!

Moths

Moths

Adult moths are around in abundance in the summer evenings. You are likely to see them fluttering around lights and resting on ceilings. Why they are so attracted to lights is not necessarily known, but they are rather annoying pests we have to deal with in the summer. 

It is not really the adult moths that we need to worry about, it is the larvae that hatch from the eggs they lay. Adult moths main aim is to reproduce. Once they have done that, the female moths look for a ideal location to lay their eggs. These locations are usually in materials such as stored clothing and bedding, or even soft furnishings. This is because once the eggs hatch, these materials make great food sources for the larvae. 

If you find small holes in your clothing or material items, then the chances are you have moths in your home. If you see more then 5 adults in your home, then the chances are that you have a moth infestation. 

Moth problems can be difficult to deal with, as it typically means going through all stored material items and wherever possible, washing them at high temperatures to kill any eggs or larvae. If the infestation is really bad, then give SOS Pest Control a call. Professionals can deal with the problem efficiently and effectively, using safe methods of eradication, and leaving you completely pest free. 

 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

 

Don’t forget, for any pest problems you may have, SOS Pest Control can help!

What To Do About Wasps?

What To Do About Wasps?

During the summer months, you probably enjoy nothing more than eating outside- be it going for a picnic, having a BBQ, or just dining alfresco in your garden. However, we doubt that you would want to share that time and space with all of mother nature’s wonderful insects, especially not wasps! Not only are they aggravating but can also be pretty dangerous if a swarm stings you.

In the UK there are many different species of wasps, but you are most likely to encounter the common wasp or German wasp. Both are similar in size and colouring, bright yellow with black markings with 6 yellow legs. Their bodies tend to look smooth and shiny. 

The queen will begin laying eggs in April/May and will continue to do so until the warm summer weather begins to change. Wasps struggle to survive in the colder months and will go into hibernation. Those that do survive begin the cycle of building a small nest at the beginning of Spring, which will grow and expand throughout the summer months. The first lot of eggs laid by the queen are workers, who are responsible for building and maintaining the nest. As the queen continues to lay eggs, the larvae must be fed. They typically feed on other small insects like caterpillars and aphids, brought to the colony by worker wasps. Adult wasps do not eat other insects but live off of nectar and other sugary secretions produced by the larvae.

Wasp nests can be found in a variety of locations in and around your home. Loft spaces, wall cavities, chimneys, sheds, garages, trees…just to name a few. If left undisturbed throughout the summer months, the colony can reach a considerable size, hundreds if not thousands of wasps! 

Wasps are actually very important for our ecosystem…. although they are good pollinators, they are not a good as bees for that. They are, however, little pest controllers in their own right. The adult wasps will kill/immobilise prey like flies, spiders and other insects to feed to their larvae in the nest. Wasps are responsible for removing large amount of these other pests from our environment and we most certainly need them to continue what they do. 

If a wasp colony has taken a liking to a location that you do not wish to share, then we strongly advise that you call for a professional to deal with your wasp nest problem. Wasps become very aggressive if they feel threatened or their nest is in danger and they will sting you repeatedly. Not only this, if they feel the danger is too great, they are able to signal to other wasps of this imminent danger and they will swarm you and you will be stung MANY times by multiple wasps. Some people have extremely adverse reactions to insect stings, and wasp stings are no exception. Under all circumstances, we really must advise calling us to deal with the problem. We have all the correct protective equipment, as well as the skills required to effectively deal with the problem!

Do not hesitate to give us a call today!

Black Garden Ants

Black Garden Ants

There are thousands of different species of ant across the world. In the UK, we have around 50 different species. Everyone is familiar with what an ant ‘looks like’, however very few people know that there are so many different types. The most common species you are likely to come across is the Black Garden Ant.

Black garden ants, as their name suggests, are black or dark brown in colouring. Worker ants are around 4mm in length and queens can be a large as 15mm in length. They have 6 legs and 2 antennae. They are quick moving and resilient. They have jaws to attack predators or defend their nest, although their jaw is not strong enough to pierce human skin. They are more likely to run away from you.

Workers are responsible for maintaining and building the nest, as well as foraging for food and looking after the larvae once the eggs hatch. The queen’s only role is to produce as many eggs as possible. Males are not typically produced until later on in the summer season so they can mate. Their life span is pretty short, as after mating, the males will die.

Ant typically enjoy warm climates; this is why we do not have many species in the UK that can survive the outside elements. Though the garden ant is the hardiest of our native species, they will typically nest where there is the most sunshine during the summer days. You are likely to find ants nests in your garden, under paving slabs, under decking, and sometimes even under your grass. Colonies can reach up to 15000 workers if left undisturbed in a prime location, and a good consistent source of food.

Food is extremely important to ant colonies, not only to keep the worker force strong, but also to maintain the queen so she is able to lay as many eggs as possible. Worker ants are great at foraging for new and exciting food sources. They are able to leave prominent trails for other worker ants to follow in order to gather as much food as possible for the colony. Ants are not particularly fussy in terms of what they eat; insects, dead ants, high protein foods. They also have a sweet tooth. They prefer sweetness, so nectar and fruits are top picks. 

For the summer months, there is nothing better than having your windows and doors open to enjoy the warm weather. But it is important to be mindful that this invites ants into your home. This is why it is good practice to make sure to mop and clean up any spills as soon as they happen, keep kitchen sides and floors clean and tidy too. Make sure to clean out your bin regularly and throw away any old or rotting fruit.

Don’t suffer in silence. If you think you have an ant problem, please give us a call today!

Top 5 Summer Pests

Top 5 Summer Pests

We are currently going through a heatwave set to continue over the next few weeks with high temperatures which means that summer pests are well and truly out and about. 

There are many different pests that emerge when the weather gets warmer. Below we have picked the top 5 that you are most likely to see at the moment;

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.

Remember, we are always on hand to help with any pest problems. Just give us a call!

The Differences Between Bees & Wasps (& Hornets)

The Differences Between Bees & Wasps (& Hornets)

Most of us across the UK have been enjoying some of the most beautiful weather over the past few weeks. Such warm and dry weather means that insects such as bees and wasps can be seen out and about more and more. Spring marks the time where the queen bees and wasps look for a suitable nesting place in order to begin laying eggs.

There are thousands of different species of wasps and bees. The most common species of bee to be confused with the typical wasp is the honeybee.

·      Both are of similar size, with the wasp sometimes being a little larger

·      Wasps tend to have yellow legs, whereas honeybees’ legs are brown

·      Bees have lots of tiny hairs on their bodies which makes them look ‘fluffy’ whereas wasps have smooth bodies

·      Wasps’ colourings are typically bright yellow and black compared to bees which tend to be yellow/orange and black/brown

·      Honeybees and wasps both will sting you if they feel threatened

·      Honeybees will die after stinging you due to their stinger detaching from their bodies

·      Wasps are able to sting people multiple times and are considered to be aggressive

Another stinging insect to be on the lookout for is the hornet. Hornets can be much larger in size compared to bees and wasps, some growing to over 5cm in length. Their colourings are different too, they tend to have very little black on their bodies and a range of browns, reds, oranges and yellows that make up their markings. Their legs tend to be a reddish brown in colour too.

We always suggest calling in a professional if you think you have a bee/wasp/hornet issue. They can become very aggressive if they feel threatened, or if they think their nest is under attack. They will sting you to protect themselves which can cause some serious health issues. We make sure to wear all the correct protective equipment and are able to deal with the issue efficiently and effectively every time. 

Bees

Bees

Bees are very important to our ecosystem and this is the time of year that you could see a lot more of them. The queens are starting to wake up and are going on the search for pollen, nectar and a safe location to start building a hive. Bees really are wonderful, from doing a waggle dance to inform other members of the hive where the best flowers are, to their big bodies and little wings which make them look like they should not be able to fly, to their production of delicious honey. Bees are key, and we must do our best to look after them. We will always look to rehome a bee nest with local beekeepers wherever possible. Interestingly, there are a few different types of bees in the UK; the Honeybee, Carpenter Bee and Bumble Bee. 

Honeybee

Honeybees are super sociable and can live in huge numbers. A honeybee hive can survive for many years and are typically located in trees or lofts. Honeybees can be confused with wasps as they look the most similar. However, honeybees tend to have a fluffy looking middle and brown legs, compared to the smooth body of the wasp and their yellow legs. Honeybees can and will sting you, although they would only do so if they feel threatened. If you are stung by a honeybee, they will die afterwards due to their stinger detaching from their bodies. They are usually yellow/orange/brown in colouring.

Carpenter Bee

Carpenter Bees solitary bees. They will typically source a good nesting location in wooden objects by burrowing down creating holes to form a suitable nesting ground and lay their eggs. Unlike other bee species, these bees will birth, look after and feed their young themselves before they are old enough to leave the hive. Interestingly, carpenter bees are used for commercial pollination now due to them being so good at it. 

Bumble Bee

The bumble bee is the easiest species of bee to recognise. They have large round bodies that tend to look fluffy. They are the typical yellow and black striped colours and are a very sociable species. They tend to build their hives underground, however they have been known to build nests in loft spaces and underground. Unlike the honeybee, if a bumble bee stings you, it can do so more than once. 

Sometimes it is hard to differentiate between bees and wasps, so please feel free to give us a call. We can most certainly help and offer advice. 

Coronavirus & Pest Control

Coronavirus & Pest Control

Not sure if our customers are aware, but pest controllers have now been added to the list of key workers provided by the government. 

For us, we are business as usual but with a few adjustments. Our priority is, and always has been, the health and safety of our staff and our customers. In order to keep everyone safe, we are ensuring that our team have the appropriate personal protective equipment to be able to complete their jobs efficiently and effectively. In some circumstances, we appreciate that some individuals may be shielding and/or self-isolating, and we will treat each enquiry and job individually in order to agree the best course of action for everyone. 

We also understand that circumstances change, and we will do our very best to be flexible with timings and bookings as the month of May goes on. 

Please, if you have a pest problem, do give us a call. We can most certainly help you and make sure you and your home/business remain pest free for the foreseeable future. 

Bird Control & Proofing

Bird Control & Proofing

Bird Control is an extremely important aspect of our jobs. Not only are birds’ noisy pests, but they are carriers of diseases which are harmful to humans. Their nesting habits can damage buildings. Their droppings are unsightly, can cause damage if left, as well as causing slip hazards! 

Whilst we appreciate the wonderful British wildlife and of course we are always respectful towards the rules and regulations with regards to wild birds, the nesting of birds in and around our homes or businesses can cause some real issues. We can help alleviate these issues by implementing bird controlling and proofing by means of netting and spikes for examples. These deterrents can prove very useful in getting rid of your bird problem. 

When birds find a preferred nesting location, their numbers can jump up very quickly and soon a couple of birds can become a colony! Their nests are typically made up of any materials that are accessible like hay, hair, straw, leaves, twigs etc. Being typically opportunists, their diet is also a variation. Nests can be found in guttering, under solar panels, in chimneys, in the roof…just to name a few. A dry location is a good location as far as nesting preferences go. 

As we are spending more time at home during this very strange time, you may be more likely to notice birds attempting to build nests or have taken a liking to your property. We are still working hard to help you become pest free, so if you think you have a bird problem, please just give us a call, we can help! 

Whilst respecting the Government guidelines with regards to social distancing and protecting our members of staff and our customers. 

Stay Safe!

Pest Control During Coronavirus Lockdown

During this very strange time, we wanted to take a moment to reach out to our customers, current and new, to say we are here for you. 

Here at SOS Pest Control, we are still business as usual. 

We understand the continuous need to protect your home and business from the threat of pests. Our team's and customer's health and safety is paramount and we are keeping within the government guidelines in relation to social distancing wherever possible. 

Pests are not aware of this pandemic and may now be even more prevalent as we spend more time at home, producing more waste. This waste is a great attraction for rats, mice and foxes (just to name a few).

Please do give us a call if you have any pest problems, we can most certainly help. 

Stay Safe.

Moths

Moths

There are over 2000 species of moths in the UK but only a few of them are considered pests. This is because clothes or carpet moths in particular lay their eggs on natural fibres like cotton or wool or even stored food products for their larvae to feed on. Which in turn can cause some considerable damage. Moths in general do not pose any risk to our health unlike some other pests, but they are important to our ecological system. 

What they look like

The most common moth you are going to see in your home or business premises is the house/carpet moth. They are typically brown/grey/yellow in colouring and approximately 7mm in length. Interestingly, adult moths usually prefer to scuttle across surfaces compared to flying. The adults’ main purpose is to reproduce. Once they have mated, the females will lay eggs (up to 200 of them at one time) onto a suitable food source. The eggs hatch into extremely small larvae (they look like very small caterpillars) and it is the larvae that cause all the damage to items of clothing, bedding and carpets. 

What they eat

These types of moth larvae are attracted to the keratin present in natural fibres such as cotton and wool which means there are few items in the home that are safe from these pests. Stored bedding, duvets, rugs, clothing, upholstered furniture….the list could go on. 

Signs of a moth infestation

·      Holes in items of clothing or upholstered furniture

·      Small caterpillars on fabric items

·      Silken web-like cases

·      Adult moths crawling on items

Where can you find them

Moths like locations that are dark and undisturbed to lay their eggs. Stored clothing are prime targets for moths to lay their eggs. So places like lofts, under beds, in the back of the wardrobe are all great places for moth larvae to feed without interruption. Cleaner items are less likely to be attacked, so if you are thinking or storing any fabrics, then it is good practice to wash, dry them and place them in an airtight sealed container. Try and keep your home clean and tidy by hoovering regularly and keeping any stored items to a minimum where possible. 

Remember, if you think you have a moth problem in your home, just give us a call. We can help!

Carpet Beetles

Carpet Beetles

Carpet Beetles are not a pest problem that is talked about very often. They may be small pests, but they can certainly cause considerable damage.

Carpet beetles are very small, only about 3 mm long. Like many insects, there are different stages of development. The first stage is the egg stage. These are similar in size to the adults and are brownish in colour. The larvae are strange looking. They too are brown in colouring but are covered in hairs that look like bristles. The final stage is the beetle stage. They are oval in shape, can vary in mottled patterns and colourings including, brown, black, white, orange and yellow. They can fly too so are easily able to move from room to room. 

Like most pests, the warmth and easy access to food are the main reasons why you may find them in your home. Carpet beetles can be found anywhere in the home really. They are typically attracted carpets (as the name suggests) as well as to natural fibres; so furniture covers, down pillows and duvets, fur coats, hats, scarves or rugs are all prime targets for carpet beetle larvae. When the larvae eat, they will focus on one area at the time rather than move around the source leaving random holes, like moths for example.  Carpet beetle adults will always lay their eggs close to potential food sources but also in locations that are dark and less frequented by humans. Loft spaces, storage boxes in the garage, bedding put away under the bed etc are all preferred locations. Don’t forget to inspect the seams, zips and cuffs of clothing before packing them away.

There are a few things you can do to prevent an infestation;

·      Make sure to hoover regularly- pet hair is a real attraction to carpet beetles

·      Keep your home clean and tidy, paying particular attention to the carpet by skirting boards and behind furniture

·      If putting any clothing, pillows, duvets in storage, it is best practice to get them dry cleaned and store them in sealed bags or boxes

Don’t forget, if you think you have a carpet beetle infestation please give us a call. We can offer advice and treatment to help you be pest free!