Pests come in many shapes and sizes, some more harmful than others. This should come as no real surprise when you consider all the hidden spaces in your house between the walls, floors and ceilings – spaces that not even the best London roofer could exclude.

In fact, there would be something seriously wrong if there were no pests at all living in your house. But the word pest can have a broad meaning, after all a single fly buzzing around is really no cause for alarm. But there can be more serious cases that can either affect your health or cause damage to the house itself. So if you want to avoid calling out your painter and decorator, or worse, it’s time to take action.

Flying Pests

Flies are one of the most common pests you’ll find in the home. The main problem with flies is the bacteria they carry, which ends up contaminating our food if they feed on it. This can cause food poisoning so it is important to keep all food covered.

Wasps can also be a pain, literally if they sting you. While mostly harmless, their stings are unpleasant and can cause more serious reactions among those with allergies. If a wasp gets into your house it can be fairly easy to deal with, as is the case with flies. Both can be killed with a good insect spray, as long as you use it responsibly in a well-ventilated area. Alternatively you can hang fly paper, buy an electric bug zapper, or simply hunt them yourself with a rolled up magazine.

However, if there is a wasp nest in your house, this is a much more serious matter that will probably require professional assistance. You should keep your distance from a wasp nest as it can contain up to 25,000 wasps, and that number of stings can prove fatal to anyone, with or without allergies.

If you do wish to remove it yourself you should not work alone. You need to wear protective clothing with elastic bands around ankles and wrists to stop any wasps getting inside your clothing. The best time to strike is in the evening when the wasps are more likely to be drowsy.

One person should hold an open box under the nest, with a lid ready, while the other cuts the nest down. Once the nest is in the box you can kill the wasps either by drowning them or freezing them. It may sound harsh but in this situation it’s a case of them or you. We recommend you seek professional assistance. After all, you wouldn’t try cutting into wood to make a new front door when their are professional joiners and carpenters to do it for you.

Spiders

Spiders are generally harmless, although some can bite, but in most cases they are little more than an annoyance for those with arachnophobia. The truth is, spiders are beneficial in the home as they trap and feed on other pests like flies so if they find their own quiet corner somewhere, it is probably better to leave them be.

Ants

Although ant nests usually start in the garden, they are persistent creatures that can happily set up home under paving and even in your walls as they search for food. If their home extends into yours then it is vital to nip the problem in the bud before they really spread.

They particularly like exploring dirty houses, which is one of many reasons to keep your house clean, so keep all food in containers, keep the sink clear and wipe down all your surfaces. You will need to locate the nest, which may be in plain sight on a windowsill, but if it isn’t so obvious, it may be worth following any ants you find as they should inevitably lead you back. Once you find the nest you can often clear it by pouring boiling water into it. Where this isn’t so practical you can also spread insecticide around it.

If there are cracks or holes allowing the ants entry then it would be prudent to seal them if possible. If the ant problem gets really serious and you are unable to locate the nest then it may be time to call a professional.

Mice and Rats

These rodents are pests for three reasons: they steal your food, they cause damage in their search for food, and they can spread diseases.

They can be quite tricky to find as they tend to stay well hidden and can get to areas inaccessible to us. Mice are more likely to hide in the house as they like small, tight spaces, whereas rats prefer to stay outside, sneaking into the house when they’re hungry. If you hear scrabbling inside the ceiling or walls don’t call your plasterer: it’s time to fight back.

The classic mousetrap is a reliable way to kill vermin, although you can also leave poison for them to eat. If however you prefer the nice way of catching them, there are various traps you can buy that don’t harm them at all and you can remove them however you wish afterwards. The only drawback with these though is that if you let them go, there is nothing to stop them coming back.

Moths

Moths are harmless enough but they’re certainly annoying. If you find tiny holes in your clothes, there’s a good chance a moth got into your wardrobe. Attracted to light, they find their way into your home and lay their sticky eggs on fabrics.

When these hatch the larvae feed on clothes, furniture and any other upholstery they can find. Cleanliness can help as moths are attracted to stains and sweat in your clothing. Mothballs can be used but some would argue the smell they cause just isn’t worth it.

Bed Bugs

While hardly dangerous, bed bugs are unpleasant as they like to feed on our blood as we sleep. If you find a small, painful spot when you wake up, then you have been completely ignoring age-old advice on letting bed bugs bite. They like to live in all the many little cracks around the house, as well as under the carpet or even inside your mattress.

Getting rid of them completely can be tricky, but a session of thorough vacuuming can go a long way. This may not rid you of them completely as they happen to be very good at hiding so if they are posing a serious question, it may be necessary to get a pest control service in to finish the job.

Tags: housing, property