5 Common Pests in the UK and How to Deal with Them

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No matter where you live in the UK your home is likely to attract a pest at some point.
Some can be particularly unpleasant, but knowing how to spot signs of one of these home invaders, and how to deal with them, will give you the upper hand when they make their way inside.

Rodents

Typically, you will know if you have a rat or mice infestation by spotting droppings or finding electrical cables or carpet chewed through. As we all know, they are also attracted to food and this doesn’t just mean food left out in the open. These vermin are clever at chewing through materials to get at food in its packaging or plastic containers. They often set up home in walls, under sinks and cupboards and like to nibble through wood.

The best way to deal with these pesky intruders is to set up a mouse or rat trap, or ultrasound repellent. With all the technological advancements these days, of course there are electronic traps as well, which deliver a high voltage shock to humanely eliminate you invaders rather than snapping them.

Ants

An ant invasion can be a real pain. The worst offender is the black ant, which is attracted to food and moisture and likes to search these out in your home. Keep anything sweet packed away. Your sugar should remain in a closed container with tops screwed firmly on things such as honey and jam. Don’t leave out cakes and biscuits and always wash up cutlery and crockery once you’ve finished with it. If you have an ant invasion in your garden, the best thing is to put down some ant powder but be careful with this if you have pets or young children, as it is toxic.

Wasps and Flies

Not only are flies a major annoyance, but they can also infest your home or business and spread diseases such as E. Coli and Salmonella. You can help prevent these by covering food and making sure that any bins, both outdoors and inside, have proper fitting lids. If the flies just won’t go away then try buying a fly trap, some of which are available with poison free bait.

Wasps can sting and are more common in gardens during warmer weather. Again, the best way to deal with these is to keep food covered, shut windows and doors to stop them flying into the house and by putting out traps.

Cockroaches

There’s nothing worse than seeing a cockroach scuttling out from under a cupboard or across the floor. They like food, including pet food, and as well as anything that is fermenting. Avoid leaving out anything that could be tempting to these unsettling invaders. In addition, cockroaches prefer moist, warm conditions and hate the cold. These critters also like to hide in cracks and crevices and are often found in basements and sewers, so keep an eye out for them there. Cockroaches can be targeted using traps with pheromones, which emit scents to lure and catch them.

Woodworm

Not actually a worm, woodworms are a type of beetle that bores into wood. Signs of woodworm are usually spotted when holes appear in items such as floorboards, furniture or overhead wooden beams. Damp areas are a primary attractant for these menaces. To help fight against woodworm it’s recommended to investigate and solve any damp issues. Infestations are often controlled with chemical insecticides, freezing treatments, or with electrical insect killers. If you have these pests in your home, do your research to find out which method is right for you.

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