We do not treat pests that are considered a nuisance rather than a public health issue.
Biscuit beetles
These beetles are also called bread beetles or drugstore beetles.
They are small reddish-brown hard-shell beetles and are often mistaken for woodworm. They are attracted to dried food products such as flour, grains, pasta, cereal, biscuits, and pet food. They thrive in dark, warm, undisturbed locations. For example, the back of food cupboard.
Treatment
- Get rid of any contaminated food products and store unaffected items in sealed containers.
- Empty cupboards and hoover cracks and crevices. Get rid of the hoover bag straight away.
- Disinfect area and consider a crawling insect spray for any areas that are difficult to reach.
Book lice
Book lice are 1 to 2mm, flat bodied, and light brown or cream in colour. They prefer dark, warm, humid locations so are often found in kitchens and bathrooms. But they can be in any room with damp, humid conditions. They feed off any starchy materials including books, magazines and cardboard, flour and cereal, mould, fungus, and plaster.
Treatment
- Dry out any effected areas.
- Fix any leaks and remove water or moisture build up.
- Ventilate rooms by opening windows, use de-humidifiers or even a hairdryer on localised problems.
- Use mould and mildew spray and consider a crawling insect spray.
Carpet beetles
Carpet beetles are also called woolly bear beetles. They can be a variety of colours, including orange, black, or white speckled and are around 2 to 4mm long. They look like small, furry caterpillars.
They will eat most organic materials and, because they can fly, they can be found on all fabrics around the home.
Treatment
- Use a nozzle attachment on your hoover to focus on dark inaccessible corners, such as around skirting boards and behind furniture.
- Try using a residual insecticide for crawling insects.
Clothes moths
Clothes moths are destructive and commonly encountered in homes and businesses. The adult moths are about 6 to 7mm long with uniformly straw-coloured fringed wings.
They tend to avoid the light and run instead of flying. They are often seen crawling or flitting around at floor level or resting on walls. The larvae are up to 10mm long and are cream coloured with brown heads.
Treatment
- Clean all areas, vacuum woollen carpets thoroughly and vigorously, paying particular attention to the areas of carpet under and behind furniture, and along the skirting.
- Set up moth traps.
- Keep your home well ventilated. Moths will not make a nest in your home if you let too much sun and air into your home.
- Vacuum your home regularly and get rid of any larvae that may be present in your home before the infestation grows.
- Use sticky papers and flying insect spray.
Flies
There are many varieties of fly and identifying what they are is key to preventing and fixing the issue. Some common examples found in the home are:
Bluebottle flies
Bluebottle flies are a similar size to the common housefly, around 5 to 8mm in length, but can be easily identified by their distinct 'metallic-blue' colour. They are particularly attracted to decaying flesh, so an infestation of bluebottle flies may indicate a dead or decaying animal in your attic or walls. They may also be attracted by pet faeces and household waste.
Houseflies
Houseflies are typically grey and between 5 to 8mm long. They have a yellow abdomen and a grey thorax with narrow stripes. Houseflies are attracted to rotting food, faeces, rubbish bins, and decaying animals.
Cluster flies
Cluster flies can be 6 to 10mm long but most are larger than the common housefly. They have a dark grey-olive thorax covered with golden-brown hairs. They are distinguishable by their wings that overlap when at rest. Cluster flies live outdoors in the summer but will come inside during the colder months to hibernate somewhere warm. They are often found in attic spaces but do head towards light so can be found around windows.
Fruit flies
Fruit flies are around 3mm long. Their abdomen is black on top and grey underneath and their thorax is a light yellow or tan colour. Fruit flies tend to be found in the kitchen or other areas containing food. You may also find these flies in mop buckets, wheelie bins and drains. They look for fermenting organic matter, such as rotten fruit or soured milk, to lay their eggs onto. Fruit fly larvae feed on the fungi found in decaying food.
Drain flies
Drain flies are also called sewer flies, filter flies, moth flies or sink flies. They look similar to the average house fly as they are very small (about 3 to 4mm) and black or brown in colour. They live in drains, sewers, septic tanks, and sewage-contaminated soil. They can often be found around bathrooms and kitchen sinks, or bath and shower drains.
Treatment
- Identify what they are and why they may be there.
- Get rid of what is attracting them.
- Open the windows if they are inside and try to get them out.
- Close windows or put up some mesh if they are outside and trying to get in.
- Use sticky papers or strips, electronic devices, or a flying insect spray.
Silverfish
Silverfish are very primitive and wingless insects. They feed on gums and pastes, textiles and leather, and dried foods stored in damp cupboards. They are attracted to humid and moist conditions.
Treatment
- Look for any leaks or build-up of moisture and dry out those areas. They can't survive in dry conditions.
- Heat and ventilate properties.
- Use a dehumidifier or target localised areas with a hairdryer if safe to do so.
- Hoover thoroughly in corners, cracks and crevices.
- Consider using a crawling insect treatment.
Slugs
Slugs can make their way into properties through gaps or cracks in masonry, air vents or following pipework.
They are attracted to warm, damp conditions and look for food left out, including pet food, or mould and fungus.
Treatment
- Shine a torch over the surfaces where slugs have been active and trace their trails back to the point they came into the house.
- Place traps or repellents in those areas or seal gaps and cracks.
- Make sure there is no build-up of material around the house, such as leaves or moss, as this will attract them towards the property.
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