Sometimes we don’t realise we have a Plymouth pest problem until it is too late and they have either caused damage to our property or given us a real fright in the night. There are many different types of pest ranging from the small and harmless (but still not something we want to be sharing our home with) to the more nuisance pests that can harbour diseases or cause damage to property. They inhabit the dark and quiet areas of the house and only come out at night to look for food.
So how do you know if you have a Plymouth pest problem? We take a look at what to look out for when it comes to the more common house pests and the areas that you should check regularly, including what to do if you confirm you have a pest problem
Ants
You might be forgiven for ignoring one ant in your Plymouth home but don’t be fooled into thinking that where there’s one, more won’t follow. You see the first ant is the one that is scoping out your home, looking for food sources and preparing to go back to their colony and tell the others what they have found. If the first ant comes back with news, then more will follow. Before you know you will have a trail of ants across your countertops looking for sweet sources of food. The trouble is you may not be able to find where they are coming from. Once they have invaded your home in numbers it becomes difficult to find the original source of entry and too get rid of them.
Rats and mice
Rats and mice are looking for shelter and food. They often find their way in through pipes and tiny gaps that you wouldn’t even think that they could get through. The kitchen is one such area that has lots of pipes coming in from the outside and a source of food. You can tell if you have rats from the following signs
- Noise – particularly at night. Rats are nocturnal and will come out at night to investigate their surroundings and forage for food. You can hear them scratching and scuttling if you listen carefully.
- Smell – If you have ever had a hamster or guinea pig you will be familiar with the smell of their cage if it hasn’t been cleaned for a few days. This musty smell will be prevalent if you have small rodents nesting.
- Droppings – If you see droppings be careful and vigilant and ensure that you get rid of them and thoroughly disinfect the area. Rodent droppings are known to carry diseases.
- Chewed or damaged cables and furniture – Rats and mice love to chew and gnaw anything. They have to chew to wear down their quick growing teeth. Check for obvious signs of damage around skirting boards, table legs etc.
Other Plymouth pest problems
Wasps
There are some favourite places for nesting wasps from making their nests in the bricks in a wall to under the eaves of the house or in the garage. They also like to make their nests in trees. In spring, the early wasps will set to work and start to build the nest out of chewed up wood and bark. As the nest evolves it gets bigger and bigger. If you see more than one wayward wasp flying around your property it could be a sign that there is a nest nearby. Check the obvious places to make sure.
Bedbugs
Sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite. Well they will if you have them and like any Plymouth pest problem, the longer you leave them, the more they will multiply. While they aren’t harmful and don’t spread diseases, you really don’t want to share your bed with them. Call in a pest control specialist to tackle the problem and exercise good hygiene – washing bedding on a hot wash, hoovering and dusting regularly etc.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are stealthy creatures that can remain undetected for quite some time and can thrive in less than desirable, dark, dirtyand damp conditions like the cupboard under the sink or behind the washing machine. The easiest way to detect a cockroach problem is to look for them. Check the nooks and crannies, pull out the panel under the bath, check behind the washing machine etc. If you don’t go looking for them it will only be a matter of time before you find them. They leave distinct droppings, egg casings and before long you will see or smell them.
In addition to these common pests you may also see flies, ants or less common pests like badgers, foxes and wild rabbits. If you suspect you have a Plymouth pest problem and want to eradicate it then call Plymouth pest control specialists, Falcon Environmental Services on 01752 929292.
