How To Get Rid Of Carpet Beetles

Female carpet beetles are out in full force at the moment. We have seen a real rise in calls about this particular pest recently. May is typically the time of year that we begin to start seeing the tell-tale signs of carpet beetles, but they have been spotted much earlier this year too! 

Carpet beetle larvae can cause some big issues for small creatures. Female carpet beetles will make sure to lay their eggs where there is an abundant source of food. This could include, but is not limited to items like; carpets, rugs, bedding sheets, duvets, wool jumpers, curtains...just to name a few items of preference. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae will feed on these items whilst they mature into adults. 

Carpet beetle larvae are rather small in size and are a cream/white colour. They look to be furry in appearance and look very similar to a caterpillar. The adult carpet beetle is round in shape and typically brown, black and white mottled in colour. They can fly but they tend to prefer to crawl across fabrics and surfaces to get from one location to another. Adult carpet beetles have one purpose, and that is reproduce and find a safe place to lay their eggs. 

Having carpet beetles does not mean your home is dirty, it usually is just bad luck. They can enter your home in a number of ways; through open windows or doors, on bunches of flowers, on pet's fur...the opportunities are endless. 

So how do you get rid of them? Well, if there is a large infestation then we strongly recommend calling in a professional as they will be able to deal with the issue effectively making sure that all of the bedbugs, eggs are larvae are removed. If you just notice one or two carpet beetles and you are sure there are not more lurking in dark corners of furniture or rooms that are not used regularly, then there are a few things you can do;

- hoover all carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture thoroughly, whilst pulling out all bed frames and other furniture to make sure you give everything a really good clean

- remove the hoover bag immediately and dispose in your outside bin whilst making sure not to come into contact with anything else on your way

- any items that you think may have come into contact with a carpet beetle need to be washed at a high temperature and if possible, put in the tumble dryer for good measure

- another option is to freeze the garment or fabric item, then wash it

Having carpet beetles is nothing to be ashamed of...please do not hesitate in contacting a pest controller if you have a pest problem!

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

There are typical signs to look out for when it comes to a moth infestation;

• 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

The most effective way to treat a moth infestation is to call in a professional. They will be able to tell you what type of moth problem you have, advise on the best course of action, and make sure to get the job done properly so you are left completely moth free. There are of course shop bought solutions, however if the treatment is not suitable for the problem then you will only waste your time and money. There are also a few things you can do yourself to help the situation;

• 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

Believe it or not, there are things you can do to help prevent moths entering and laying eggs in and around your home.

• 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

SOS Pest Control can help with any pest problem you may have! Give us a call today!

Spring Pests in Kent

We have now entered Spring time, which means a new variety of pests are beginning to emerge. Of course, if these pests remain in your garden or areas surrounding your property then that would be great. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Humans offer pests shelter, food and water in abundance so it makes sense that they would like to move in with us! Below we have some information about the most common pests you are likely to encounter in Spring;

Ants

Ants will build their nests in your garden but that does not stop them exploring their surroundings. Ant colonies can reach very large numbers if left untreated. And if they have gained entry to your home once, they will continue to do so again and again. They are especially attracted to sweet foods like fruit, honey and sugar. They can find their way into your home through open doors and windows, even through cracks around your window and door seals. They are not harmful to your heath, more of nuisance pest.

Flies

Flies tend to come in a variety of shapes and sizes including bluebottles and house flies. Both can be very problematic if left untreated. Flies are carriers of a variety of diseases due to the types of foods they eat (like poop!) so if flies are landing on your food or food preparation surfaces then they will be contaminating anything they touch. They are likely to gain entry through open windows and doors, and are mostly attracted to strong smelling decaying food. This is why they are usually seen around bins. 

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are a funny sort of pest as you are not typically likely to see them very often. They can scuttle super fast and tend to be nocturnal. But if you have cockroaches, you will find droppings and a musty smell in your kitchen or bathroom usually, wherever there is a water source. They like warm, damp conditions. They are not fussy eaters, they will even eat each other if food is scarce but in a human home, food is usually abundant!

Any pest problems this Spring, give SOS Pest Control a call!!

 Grey Squirrel Control

Grey squirrels are pests that can cause you some serious issues. They are very noisy and extremely destructive, leaving you sleep deprived and a huge mess to clear up. They are most active in the early hours of the morning, so if they have made their way into your loft space, then there is a very high chance you will know about it! 

Places you could find squirrels;

• Loft/Attic
• Wall Cavities
• Sheds
• Garages

Signs to look out for;

• 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

Grey squirrels, as their name suggests, are predominantly grey in colouring. They are larger in size than our native red squirrels and have long, bushy tails. They can appear quite friendly, this is usually down to the fact that they tend to associate humans with food. Squirrels love to eat nuts, bark, vegetables and berries to name a few. However, if they do not have any access to these they will eat birds eggs, caterpillars and small rodents.

If you are faced with a squirrel infestation, please give us a call here at SOS Pest Control. We can help get rid of the issue and put in place preventions to stop the issue occurring again. 

Bird Control & Proofing in Kent

Spring is the beginning of warmer weather, more sunshine and longer days. It is also the start of nesting season. This can continue through to August depending on a few factors like weather and location. This means that there is a race against time to make sure your home and business space are bird proofed to stop any unwanted nesting or congregation of flocks of birds. Seagulls and pigeons are the main culprits causing many issues; noise, unsightly (and slippery) bird guano (poop) as well as transmitting diseases. They are certainly a pest that needs controlling sooner rather than later. Remember though, if the nest has eggs in it, then we are not allowed to touch it until the birds have left it. At this time of the year, it is really important to speak to a professional about bird control as we have the knowledge and training to advise you correctly when dealing with these pests.

There are different types of bird control used like netting and spikes. Netting and spikes are good long term, durable solutions to bird control. Neither option will cause harm to the birds, but rather act as deterrents. 

There are a couple of signs to look out for;

- Collection of birds in the same area

- Nesting materials

- Lots of guano on the floor/roof

- Blocked guttering or drains from nesting materials

Best to check locations such as balconies, flat roofs, chimneys, guttering and ledges, just to name a few areas. Finding and acting on the first signs of a bird infestation can save you a lot of time and money, especially when employing a professional to deal with the issue effectively and efficiently!

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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. 

Mouse In Your House?

In urban areas, mice can and will reproduce all year round due to the lovely warmth of your home and the unlimited sources of food available to them.  This means that mouse infestations can actually be a problem all year round! However, with the weather being so cold at the moment, we are getting more and more calls from customers struggling with mice problems. But do not worry, SOS Pest Control can help! 

Below we have some information about what to look out for and things you can do to protect your home from these uninvited furry visitors. 

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?

The best way to avoid a mouse problem is to proof your home! 

• 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

If you happen to see any of the above signs, then proofing will stop new mice coming into your home but it will not help with your current infestation. Plus, mice are notorious for reproducing at an alarming rate. However, SOS Pest Control can help you. We are fully trained and able to deal with any pest infestation effectively and efficiently. Give us a call today!

 Pest Control During Lockdown...Again

We are business as usual, even during these strange times. 

Pests like rats, mice, squirrels and foxes are typically prevalent during this time of year. This is due to the colder weather and less food sources available to them. Whilst prevention is always better, we appreciate that these pesky pests can make their way into your home or business through the smallest crack, loose roof tile, or gap in a fence. We are on hand to deal with whatever problem you may have, removing the problem effectively and efficiently whilst keeping our team and our customers safe. We also have a wide range of prevention solutions to offer to make sure your home or business remain free from pest problems in the future. 

We are here for you and available to deal with many types of pests, observing all government guidance in place to keep us all safe. 

Happy New Year From SOS Pest Control

 Happy New Year!!

2021 has arrived! This year will be sure to be a great one! SOS Pest Control intend to enter this year more determined than ever to keep our customers happy, safe and pest free. Whether it is a commercial property, domestic property, or even your garden shed that you have an issue with pests in, we can most certainly help. Do not hesitate to get in touch today via phone or email.