Monday, 20 December 2021
SOS Pest Control- Merry Christmas!
Monday, 6 December 2021
Cockroaches
Cockroaches
Monday, 29 November 2021
Pests In Your Loft This Winter
Pests In Your Loft This Winter
Now is the perfect time to be checking that loft space for unwanted guests this festive season. Most of us tend to store our Christmas decorations in the loft, and very rarely venture up there throughout the year. This means it is the perfect location for birds, squirrels, rats and mice to nest undisturbed, whilst having access to food and water. Now if you did have an infestation of any of these pests, it is more than likely you will hear them scurrying about or making some sort of noise in the early hours (squirrels are notorious for being active during the early hours of the morning). But pest control is not just about removing a pest issue, it is also about proofing your home against pests. Removing or blocking entrance points can save you the hassle and money of dealing with pests after they have gained access to your home.
Access points in your loft
So there are a few ways these pests can gain access to your home. Birds can fly, rats and mice can climb, and squirrels can jump, so access points at height are not a problem for these pests.
Loose or broken roof tiles are the prime starting point. Any weakness will be found and can act as the perfect access point. Make sure that you regularly check the tiles on the roof, replace any broken ones and secure any tiles that are loose.
Poorly sealed windows or vents are another way. Mice especially, can squeeze through the smallest of gaps so be sure to make sure your property is well sealed.
Signs of pests
- No matter what the species of pest, a sure sign that you have an infestation is droppings
- Noises will keep you awake at night (typically)-gnawing, scratching, bird calls, rustling...
- Damage to storage boxes, insulation, wires or wood to name a few materials (rats can chew through metal!)
What should you do?
Monday, 8 November 2021
Rats in your home?
Rats in your home?
Now that the weather is turning colder, it is a prime time for rats to start making their way into your home or business. They are looking for warmth, shelter and food to get them through the winter months. Rats are able to chew through all types of materials to gain access; brick, metal, wood, just to name a few. This does mean that rats are unstoppable when it comes to gaining access and why it is really important to do all you can to proof your home and not give them any reason to try.
Pest controllers can help with proofing your home, but there are things you can do yourself first. Things like making sure all rubbish bins are sealed and no bags are just left on the floor. Keeping rubbish bins clean too can also help deter rats from sniffing out your rubbish. It is also good practice to ensure any gaps in brickwork or roof tiles are repaired and filled quickly. Rats are wonderful climbers so getting to any part of the home is easy for them. They typically use wall cavities to move around, although they can also be found under floorboards and in the loft.
Rats are distinguished by their long hairless tails typically. They are usually brown in colour with long noses. They have long teeth which need to be filed down regularly which they do by gnawing through materials.
Now is the time to check your home for all those potential entry points. If you find you are already being visited by these pests, then give us a call today. We can help!
Monday, 25 October 2021
Professional Flea Treatment & Control
Professional Flea Treatment
Monday, 4 October 2021
Professional Pest Controllers - SOS Pest Control
Professional Pest Controllers - SOS Pest Control
Monday, 27 September 2021
Bird Proofing Your Home or Business
Bird Proofing Your Home or Business
Monday, 6 September 2021
Moths in your home?
Moths in your home?
Monday, 23 August 2021
Summer Flying Insects
Summer Flying Insects
Flying insects can be a real pain when the weather is warmer. We like to keep our windows and doors open and enjoy the longer evenings in the garden. However, doing that means we are inviting a variety of flying pests into our homes. Below we have some of the common pests you are likely to encounter in August.
Wasps
Flies
Flying Ants
Moths
No pest problem is too big or small. SOS Pest Control are here to help! Give us a call today.
Monday, 9 August 2021
Have I Got BedBugs or Fleas?
Have I Got BedBugs or Fleas?
- Bedbug adults are typically flat and round, whereas adult fleas are more narrow and have long back legs
- Both bedbug and flea adults are brownish in colour
- Fleas prefer animals to humans for their blood meals
- Bedbugs can live for months without feeding, adults fleas can only live for two weeks without food
- Fleas are able to breed much quicker than bedbugs as they are able to lay hundreds of eggs each week
- Bedbugs are nocturnal, they feed on you while you sleep. Fleas are also nocturnal to a point but are far more active during the day compared to bedbugs
- Fleas have a pretty impressive jump, they do this in order to move from one host to another. They are lightning quick too. Bedbugs cannot jump or fly
Monday, 26 July 2021
Wasps
Wasps
Monday, 5 July 2021
How To Get Rid of Ants
How To Get Rid of Ants
Ants start emerging when the weather gets warmer. The colony has been dormant for the winter months, but now the forager ants will begin to look for food sources. Ants have a particular sweet tooth so will eat fruits, nectar and anything sugary they can find in your kitchen.
In your garden, you will likely find ants under your patio or decking, in and around your flower beds and pots, and of course your lawn. They leave tell-tale signs along the edge of your grass by the means of small mounds of soil where they are able to come and go from their nest.
Once forager ants find an ample source of food, they are able to leave a scent trail for other forager ants to follow, which means a couple of ants can become a lot of ants in a short period of time.
As the colony grows, more food is required which means the foragers will travel further afield to find suitable food to feed them all. That could be problematic if they find some yummy food in your kitchen. It is always best practice to keep your kitchen clean and tidy. Making sure to clean up any spills or crumbs.
Of course, there are home remedies available if the ant problem is just limited to a few here and there. However, if you are unlucky enough to be housing a colony, then you will certainly require the assistance of a professional pest controller. We can not only get rid of the ants, but we can help protect your home and garden from them returning. Leaving you to enjoy your summer in peace!
Monday, 28 June 2021
Bed Bugs In Your Home
Bed Bugs In Your Home
Bed bugs can be a real problem during this time of the year. They are small pests but they can cause some big problems. They are probably one of the most stressful pest to live with, so if you see any signs of bed bugs in your home, you will want to contact a professional sooner rather than later.
What do they look like?
Adult bed bugs are approximately 5mm in length. They are brown in colour and oval in shape. There are 5 different life stages they go through. Once the eggs hatch, the nymphs are almost translucent but with each life stage, they darken in colour. As they grow, they also shed their skins so keep an eye out for those!
Where will you find them?
Bedbugs can be found in a number of places, but always where humans regularly spend time. The bed frame and mattress are hot spots as well as cracks and crevasses around the bedroom. They can also be found in suitcases or furniture. Their food sources are humans, so wherever you are, they are.
What can you do?
The best thing to do if you find bed bugs in your home, is to call in a professional. As pests go, bed bugs are one of the hardest pests to deal with. This is due to the fact that they do not require a blood meal to survive for up to 70 days. Many home remedies are not strong enough to deal with a sizeable infestation, and even if you think you have dealt with the issue, chances are there will be more lurking in dark corners. Having bed bugs is not a sign that your home is dirty. There is no need to feel embarrassed. Living with these pests can cause real stress and even harm to some people who have reactions to their bites, so do not struggle and give us a call here as SOS Pest Control.
Tuesday, 8 June 2021
House Flies
House Flies
Monday, 24 May 2021
What Do I Do About Bumble Bees In My Garden?
What Do I Do About Bumble Bees In My Garden?
Spring typically means warmer, sunnier weather (not that this month so far has lived up to that!). But on the days where the sun is shining, you will certainly start hearing the hum of bumble bees! Technically, bumble bees should not be able to fly as their wings are too small for their body but that does not stop them. All species of bees are so important to the ecosystem, so it is really important we do what we can to help them.
As temperatures start to warm up, the queen bees are awoken and begin to search for a suitable place to build a nest. Firstly, the queen will need to drink some nectar before starting her search as she would have used up all her food stores during hibernation in the winter months. Nest locations can vary greatly however looking under garden sheds, in chimneys, in bird boxes and even garages are all good places to start. Bees have also been know to nest in wall cavities and loft spaces too.
Once the queen has found her nest site, she will begin to build it from pollen collected from flowers and a wax that she produces herself. She will then lay her first batch of eggs, incubate them until they form cocoons and hatch and feed them and herself by leaving the nest in search of nectar and pollen.
If you think you have a nest forming, then it is strongly recommended that you contact a professional pest controller. They will be able to find a suitable location to re-home the bees away from harm or even work with local bee keepers who will be able to help as well.
Monday, 3 May 2021
How To Get Rid Of Carpet Beetles
How To Get Rid Of Carpet Beetles
Friday, 30 April 2021
Moths- Signs, Treatment & Prevention
Moths- Signs, Treatment & Prevention
Now is the time adults moths are beginning to emerge. They have one purpose during this time which is to find a mate and lay eggs. Adult moths are not actually the problem, it is the larvae that feed on clothing and other materials around the house causing damage.
Signs
- Adult moths
- Small maggot like larvae
- Cases and strands made of silk (can be confused with spiders web but much more fragile)
- Holes in clothes, bedding, curtains, upholstered furniture
Treatment
- Make sure all clothes and bedding are thoroughly cleaned before being put away
- Empty out your hoover bag regularly
- Any material bags, fabric boxes, suitcases etc should be thoroughly cleaned and stored in sealed bags
Prevention
- Keep your home clean and tidy, hoover regularly
- Make sure to focus on cleaning under beds, the back of wardrobes, in the loft
- Store all material items in sealed bags or boxes
- Make sure to clean any sealed items before storing them away
- Use fly screens over open doors and windows to stop adults from entering your home
Monday, 5 April 2021
Spring Pests in Kent
Spring Pests in Kent
Ants
Flies
Cockroaches
Monday, 29 March 2021
Grey Squirrel Control
Grey Squirrel Control
- Loft/Attic
- Wall Cavities
- Sheds
- Garages
- Holes in vents
- Loose roof tiles
- Bark stripped from nearby trees
- Lots of squirrels around your property
- Damage to insulation
- Strip electrical wires
- Gnaw marks on wooden beams and floorboards
- Droppings in the loft
- Torn up lawn and holes
Monday, 8 March 2021
Bird Control & Proofing in Kent
Bird Control & Proofing in Kent
Friday, 26 February 2021
Cockroaches- Unlikely February Pests
February has been a strange month weather wise; we have had rain, snow and sunshine. Cockroaches are not necessarily the typical pest that you would associate with being a problem in winter, however, once in your home they can multiply rapidly and cause you some serious problems!
Our homes are a great location to settle in, there is food in abundance and warmth too! Plus, a room dedicated to water (bathroom). The three key things cockroaches need to survive. You are highly unlikely to actually see cockroaches scuttling across the floor as they much prefer darkness, and will remain hidden away all of the time. Plus they are super speedy!!
What do they look like?
In the UK you will usually have to deal with German cockroaches or Oriental cockroaches. Cockroaches are known for their very long antennae and flat bodies. German cockroaches are brown in colour whereas the larger Oriental cockroach can be black or brown. They are able to squeeze through the smallest of gaps too so no area in your home is out of bounds.
Signs to look for;
-if you have an established infestation then there will be strong apparent odour
-damage to food packages
-spoilt foods
-shed skins
-droppings
-eggs/egg cases
German cockroaches are likely to be hiding in rooms that are warm and humid. The bathroom and the airing cupboard are good places. Also, the fans in fridges and freezers are also a favourite. Oriental cockroaches tend to enjoy cooler and damper environments like drains.
Wherever they choose to locate themselves in your home, they must be near a water source as they can only survive a few days without water. Food however, they can go without for months. When they do eat, they are not fussy. They will pretty much eat anything and everything, even each other.
It is really important to deal with a cockroach problem as soon as you find out you have one. For home or businesses, cockroaches pose a huge risk to human health due to the bacteria they carry. Due to the unsanitary locations they frequent, like drains and sewerage pipes, they will contaminate anything they come into contact with.
Remember, cockroach infestations can rapidly get out of hand, so if you notice any signs that you may have a problem, it is best to call in the professionals to help deal with the problem.
Monday, 8 February 2021
Mouse In Your House?
Mouse In Your House?
What do they look like?
- Mice are typically quite small
- They have rounded ears
- Their tails are long and thin
- Pointed snouts
- Can be light brown/dark brown in colouring
Signs of mice
- Droppings
- Scratching sounds in the loft or walls
- Smell of mouse urine (ammonia)
- Strange pet behaviour (chances are they will find mice before you do!)
- Damage to food packages or storage boxes
What can you do?
- Fill any access points to your home like loose brickwork, gaps around pipe entrances, loose tiles
- Secure/remove any easily accessible insulation as mice like to use this for nesting
- Make sure to keep all food sources securely sealed
- Regularly clean under cookers and fridges
- Clean kitchen sides and floors regularly removing crumbs
Monday, 25 January 2021
Pest Control During Lockdown...Again
Pest Control During Lockdown...Again
We are business as usual, even during these strange times.
Friday, 1 January 2021