We set out on this page, information on the most common pests. You can also find out more by visiting the British Pest Control Association's website
Rat
In the UK, there are two species of rat, Brown Rats (Common Rats) are the most regularly found type and Black rats which are becoming increasingly rare to find.
The Brown Rat is the larger of the two, often weighing over half a
kg and measuring 23cm in length, without the tail. The Black Rat weighs
about half as much and is shorter. Both types of rat have pointed
muzzles, large, hairless ears, with a slender body and a long thin tail.
Rats live in any situation that provide food, water and shelter. In
homes, they live in roof spaces, wall cavities or under floorboards. In
gardens, rats burrow into grass banks or under sheds, even living in
sheds. They also can be found in sewer systems or living near shipping
ports.
Rats have the constant need to gnaw their own incisor teeth, as they
never stop growing in their lifetimes. They are known to damage
woodwork, plastic, bricks and lead pipes, and will strip insulation from
electrical cables, which can cause serious damage, or even fires.
Rats carry many diseases which can spread to humans, normally through their urine; including Leptospirosis or Weil's disease, Salmonella, Listeria, Toxoplasma gondii and Hantavirus. For this reason, rats must be controlled to limit spread of diesease and to protect, in the case ofbusinesses, your reputation.
It is a legal obligation for property owners under the Preventation of
Damage by Pests Act 1949 to keep premises rodent free, or to report
infestations to the local authority.
House Mice
Found in buildings, seeking warmth and shelter for nests and food, the house mouse is roughly 60-90mm in size, with the tail adding up to its whole body size again.
They weigh less that 25g, with their fur varying between light brown and grey. House mice, live in nests built from materials found in your home, such as cloth, wool and paper, which are built in places like roofs, under floors and in wall cavities.
Signs of their presence, include their dark-coloured dropping and or damage to stored foods, packaging or woodwork.
House mice, can spread dieseases to humans such as Salmonella and Listeria, which in turn cause food poisoning. Again like with rats, can also cause considerable damage to your property to find nesting materials and to gnaw, keeping their incisor teeth worn down.
They are known to damage Electrical Cables, Water and Gas supply pipes, packaging and woodwork.
It is important to keep your business or home free from mouse infestation, and here at Countywide, we can help by eradicating and preventing their return.
Squirrel
Not usually found to be a pest in properties, but occasionally, squirrels can find entry into properties via roofs.
Uncommonly known to carry diseases, squirrels can however cause a huge amount of damage to your property, striping insulation from electrical wiring and water pipes, tear up roofing materials and occasionally infecting water supplies, by drowning in tanks.
We can help you control squirrel infestation by blocking entry gaps and holes in your property, and occasionally where needed, control their presence with traps and poison, but only in extreme cases.
Ants
Ants are commonly are known to nest anywhere from soil to tree stumps to locations in buildings, and when they leave their nests they often are scavanging for food, usually sweet-smelling scents that can take them into your property or into garden vegetation.
A key feature of Ants is that each nest has a Queen Ant who will during her lifetime, bury a varied amount of ant larvae before they hatch and mature. Male ants will then depart the nest to find females to mate with, and then, they die. The females then hunt for a location to nest in.
Some ants nests can play host to over 100,000 indivduals, which if found
nesting in your property, can be tricky to deal with, but adequate
treatments such as perimeter barrier treatment will eradicate this
problem.
Bed Bugs
A common pest which is often associated with unhygienic surroundings, can in fact be found in second-hand furniture, luggage and in environments such as hotels, hostels and flats.
Their small brown disc appearance, about 6mm in length and wingless, bedbugs need the blood of a host (human) to survive.
Beg bugs are active at night and can be found in crevices in beds, surrounding furniture, under loose wallpaper to name a few.
Whilst known not to carry any diseases, as mentioned, need blood to survive. Usually they bite, leaving red raised lumps or marks.
Their removal, is quite simple, with the use of products and equipment not available to the public
Cockroaches
Two types of Cockroaches exist in the UK, the first the German which is a light/yellow brown and is 10-15mm in length and the second, the Oriental which is dark brown/black and larger in size at 20-24mm long.
All cockroaches are distinguishable by their long whip-like antennae, oval body and rapid/jerky walk.
Cockroaches carry eggs until 30 or more nymphs are ready to hatch, and then deposit these in trails on packaging or in crevices.
Once hatched, cannot exist outdoors and choose to live around heating ducts, in boiler rooms, or in any environment which is humid. They feed on almost anything, including food, refuse and faecal matter. They cannot survive without water.
The need to control cockroaches is due to the diseases and bacteria they can spread to anything they come in contact with, usually when foraging for food, which can lead to food poisoning should contaminated food be consumed.
Whilst amateur DIY insecticides are available to eliminate cockroaches, a
trained professional will know how to swiftly remove and prevent their return
Fleas
The most common flea species is the Cat flea, followed by bird fleas, then dog fleas and finally human fleas which are rarer.
Fleas are wingless, about 2mm in size and are designed to jump. Fleas feed and live on their host, which is usually an animal or pet, but sometimes can also be found on humans.
There is no evidence to suggest Fleas spread disease however can cause
intense irritation for both pets and humans, where fleas bite.
Its difficult to control the presence of fleas but their numbers can be reduced with adequate cleaning and hygiene routines.
Flea infestations can be tricky to remove, usually requiring the use of professional grade insecticides not available to the general public.
We can work quickly and effectively to remove any infestations of fleas.
Ladybirds
Ladybirds of the Harlequin Variety are naturally found in the Far East but have been introduced into European Countries to tackle other pest insects such as aphids.
They have since been found living wild and are found all over the UK. Ladybirds of all variety, are usually found outside of buildings and don't cause any structural damage, however large numbers of them, may cause some concern.
For properties with regular problems with ladybirds and insects in general, proofing of gaps and entry points will reduce problems, however heavy infestations can be controlled by the use of a trained professional. Contact us if your having problems with Ladybirds.
Silverfish
Cigar-shaped and silver-grey in appearance, the silverfish is a wingless insect found in damp areas of the home.
They are nocturnal, move quickly and feed on starchy substances such as glue, wallpaper paste and food debris.
For excessive problems of silverfish, get in touch, but the odd silverfish problem can be remedied by correcting persistent dampness in the area they are found.
Spiders
Spiders are considered not to be dangerous, and often keep other insects out of your property. However some households may experience nuisance house spiders.
Some individuals may have common fears or concerns about the presence of spiders. Usually spiders leave your home after a couple of days.
Treatment can be provided in extreme causes by the use of a smoke generator, and if your experiencing a large infestation of spiders, we can help.
Woodworm
Larvae of the Common Furniture Beetle, woodworm can cause considerable damage to wood.
They are often found in second-hand furniture, tea chests and wicker-work. They can also cause damage to structural parts of your property - such as rafters, joists, floorboards and joinery.
For quick and effective removal of woodworm, consult us today.
Wasps
A number of wasps exist and live in the UK, and always live in large nests. They are large noticeable insects with yellow-black striped bodies about 10-15mm in length.
The larger Queen wasps are about 20mm in length, who hibernate over winter, to lay eggs in the spring, in their newly formed nests.
Each nest can contain up to 30,000 wasps and due to the risk of being stung, cause a concern for families with small children and pets. Their sting can cause severe allergic reactions.
Wasp nests are very difficult to treat and remove therefore, should be removed by a professional
Bees
Should you be close to a nest, you may be seen as a threat by bees and at risk of being stung. When they nest or swarm in bushes, roof soffits or wall cavities, professional assessment is advisable.
Wherever possible, we will relocate nests and swarms, taking a friendly environmental approach. However, whilst some species are protected, should they be a risk too health - a more radical approach may be necessary.
You can rely on us to provide a fast, efficient and effective service
Flies
A family of two-winged polluters, flies are known to bite, and all flies feed from vomiting saliva onto the surface of food, and suck up the liquid produced.
Flies are known to carry bacteria and diseases and may transmit these onto food preparation surfaces, and uncovered food-stuffs.
Good hygiene practice discourages the presence of flies, however we can supply a wide range of door and fly screens, ultra-violet electric fly killers for use in food premises. Contact us if you are having regular problems with flies.
