Warm Weather and Waste
In Pests
Warm weather and waste pests
As the summer continues PEST UK receive calls for treating flies, rodents and many other pests due to warm weather and waste. In these periods of heat, it is important to prevent issues with pests affecting your home or business. One way of doing this is by keeping waste under control. Without pest management measures, you can cause yourself or your businesses lots of problems.
Flies
The most common pests that we receive calls about in summer (other than wasps) include flies. House flies are all over the world. The larvae or maggots feed on rotting organic material or faeces, so you’ll find plenty of flies around any excess waste.
The adults will travel several miles to feed, mate and lay their eggs. They are disease carriers, contaminate and spoil food and, as well as being a nuisance in domestic premises, are a problem in animal houses and refuse tips.
Treatment depends on circumstances – a combination approach that may include insecticide application, fly screening and sorting out the breeding site. A common domestic treatment is for us to apply a residual insecticide to the walls & ceilings. This kills flies as they land on the treated surfaces. As the insecticide is residual, this treatment will last 1-3 months inside.
Prior to treatment, it is important that the surfaces to be treated are clean and dust-free. Putting items away or covering items such as cutlery, food, clothes, towels, toothbrushes, etc prior to the insecticide being applied is also required. All the insecticides we used are biodegradable and safe.
Read more about flies here.
Rats
Rats can also be found hunting for water and food in summer. You may see rats during daylight hours but, as nocturnal creatures, they prefer to operate at night. Refuse tips, overflowing waste bins and poorly kept bin areas are all very attractive to rats – boasting free food and a place to hide.
Rats can cause damage by collecting nesting materials, soiling food with urine, excreta and hairs. The burrows can resemble small rabbit holes. They may dig the burrows in earth or in compost heaps however they are adaptable and can also make use of areas under sheds or inside buildings. Rats must constantly gnaw on items to keep their teeth growth under control. Rats are extremely intelligent, adapting to their surroundings. This is what makes them one of the most successful (and sneakiest) animals on the planet and therefore makes controlling rats a difficult task.
Read more about rats here.
We recommend that waste is moved immediately to secure bins and that any food waste, especially leftover from a picnics or BBQs, is disposed of correctly to prevent issues for yourselves or neighbouring properties.
PESTUK are full members of the BPCA. The BPCA are the governing body for pest control companies in the UK. Using a BPCA member company ensures your pest problem is treated by a professional insured company.
PESTUK have offices ranging from Oxford, Guildford, Enfield, Shepperton, Wantage, St. Albans, Salisbury, St Albans and Enfield.
