Cluster Flies:
Cluster flies are winged insects (3-4 mm in length) and are so called because of their habit of hibernating within buildings in large numbers. They can be recognised by the short golden coloured hairs covering their body. Although they do not pose a health risk they are a considerable nuisance.
Lifecycle:
Cluster flies lay eggs in the soil and the developing larvae seek out earthworms to infest until they pupate and emerge in their adult fly state. Their life cycle is dependent on the weather conditions and their numbers increase during hot summers. The flies only become problematic when they enter homes or commercial properties, often in their thousands, through nooks and crannies. In especially cold weather they seek refuge within walls, roof spaces or basements where they can hibernate until the following spring.
Control:
In small numbers fly papers and aerosol fly killers are effective. However, larger swarms can produce a sickly odour during hibernation. Cluster flies have been known to return to the same properties year after year. Large infestations can be eradicated by a pest control specialist.
Cluster flies are winged insects (3-4 mm in length) and are so called because of their habit of hibernating within buildings in large numbers. They can be recognised by the short golden coloured hairs covering their body. Although they do not pose a health risk they are a considerable nuisance.
Lifecycle:
Cluster flies lay eggs in the soil and the developing larvae seek out earthworms to infest until they pupate and emerge in their adult fly state. Their life cycle is dependent on the weather conditions and their numbers increase during hot summers. The flies only become problematic when they enter homes or commercial properties, often in their thousands, through nooks and crannies. In especially cold weather they seek refuge within walls, roof spaces or basements where they can hibernate until the following spring.
Control:
In small numbers fly papers and aerosol fly killers are effective. However, larger swarms can produce a sickly odour during hibernation. Cluster flies have been known to return to the same properties year after year. Large infestations can be eradicated by a pest control specialist.
Ants:
Ants are insects, 4-5mm in length, which live in colonies numbering in the thousands. There are over 40 species found in the UK but the most common is the black garden ant. They can enter the home in search of food leaving a trail of scent for other ants in the colony to follow. The less common yellow/brown Pharaoh ant tends to be more common in large heated buildings such as hospitals, commercial properties and flats.
Lifecycle:
Ant colonies begin with the queen ant that, having mated, excavates a hole and prepares to lay her eggs which will emerge as larvae. The larvae then pupate and develop into an adult. The queen continues to lay eggs and the worker ants seek out food to maintain the colony.
Control:
Destroying individual ants is of little benefit as more will be sure to follow. As with all pest infestations it is best to seek professional advice to properly eradicate the problem.
Ants are insects, 4-5mm in length, which live in colonies numbering in the thousands. There are over 40 species found in the UK but the most common is the black garden ant. They can enter the home in search of food leaving a trail of scent for other ants in the colony to follow. The less common yellow/brown Pharaoh ant tends to be more common in large heated buildings such as hospitals, commercial properties and flats.
Lifecycle:
Ant colonies begin with the queen ant that, having mated, excavates a hole and prepares to lay her eggs which will emerge as larvae. The larvae then pupate and develop into an adult. The queen continues to lay eggs and the worker ants seek out food to maintain the colony.
Control:
Destroying individual ants is of little benefit as more will be sure to follow. As with all pest infestations it is best to seek professional advice to properly eradicate the problem.
Squirrels:
The grey squirrel was introduced from America and has spread widely across the UK. These grey mammals are approximately 25cms long with a tail of similar length. Squirrels can cause serious damage should they make their way into loft spaces, destroying insulation, stripping wires and chewing timbers to make nest material. In numbers they can be destructive to garden plants and lawns by digging food storage places. For commercial tree growing businesses they can cause extensive damage to young saplings.
Lifecycle:
Squirrels have 2 litters of 3-7 offspring per year. Holes in trees form a nest where the young are weaned by 7 weeks and leave at 10 weeks. Squirrels can breed from approximately 6 months and live for up to 12 years. Having few natural predators grey squirrels have increased rapidly in numbers which has led to them being classed as pests.
Control:
There are a variety of methods which can be used to control grey squirrels and to humanely dispose of them. We can remove your squirrel problem by laying suitable traps or bait where appropriate. WARNING squirrels can and will chew through electrical wiring.
The grey squirrel was introduced from America and has spread widely across the UK. These grey mammals are approximately 25cms long with a tail of similar length. Squirrels can cause serious damage should they make their way into loft spaces, destroying insulation, stripping wires and chewing timbers to make nest material. In numbers they can be destructive to garden plants and lawns by digging food storage places. For commercial tree growing businesses they can cause extensive damage to young saplings.
Lifecycle:
Squirrels have 2 litters of 3-7 offspring per year. Holes in trees form a nest where the young are weaned by 7 weeks and leave at 10 weeks. Squirrels can breed from approximately 6 months and live for up to 12 years. Having few natural predators grey squirrels have increased rapidly in numbers which has led to them being classed as pests.
Control:
There are a variety of methods which can be used to control grey squirrels and to humanely dispose of them. We can remove your squirrel problem by laying suitable traps or bait where appropriate. WARNING squirrels can and will chew through electrical wiring.
Moths:
Moths are winged insects between 6-14mm depending on species and are harmless to humans in their adult form. However, they can lay their eggs in the home and their caterpillars can be extremely destructive to clothes, carpets and textiles. The most common pest varieties are the clothes moth, the brown house moth and the white-shouldered house moth.
Lifecycle:
Moths come in many different sizes and species developing from eggs to larva, pupa and adult. Although the adult moth lives for only a few weeks, their hungry caterpillars, or larvae, eat holes in fabrics and carpets. Moths are particularly attracted to dark areas within rarely used rooms and to piles of unwashed clothing where their eggs can be laid.
Control:
Good housekeeping measures are usually effective in preventing moth infestation. However, a severe infestation can be both expensive and distressing as personal belongings are destroyed. Large or repeated infestations will require a professional moth control service to ensure eradication.
Moths are winged insects between 6-14mm depending on species and are harmless to humans in their adult form. However, they can lay their eggs in the home and their caterpillars can be extremely destructive to clothes, carpets and textiles. The most common pest varieties are the clothes moth, the brown house moth and the white-shouldered house moth.
Lifecycle:
Moths come in many different sizes and species developing from eggs to larva, pupa and adult. Although the adult moth lives for only a few weeks, their hungry caterpillars, or larvae, eat holes in fabrics and carpets. Moths are particularly attracted to dark areas within rarely used rooms and to piles of unwashed clothing where their eggs can be laid.
Control:
Good housekeeping measures are usually effective in preventing moth infestation. However, a severe infestation can be both expensive and distressing as personal belongings are destroyed. Large or repeated infestations will require a professional moth control service to ensure eradication.