Winter is finally at an end and the warmth of long summer evenings are finally in sight. With so much to look forward to, you don’t want anything to ruin the mood this summer, and nothing does this quite like the threat of a pest infestation.
From wasps’ nests to cockroach infestations, many pest problems are much more common during the warmer summer months. Knowing the common species to keep an eye out for and some key tips for deterring them will ensure that you can enjoy your summer without having to worry about your health or property being threatened by pests.
Some of the most common pests found in the UK during the summer include:
Rats and mice
Rats and mice do not hibernate during the winter, but they are less active and will tend to stick to their nests and stockpile food in order to stay warm.
As temperatures rise, they begin to become a bit more adventurous, venturing into human inhabited buildings in the search of food and breeding at a rapid rate.
Once breeding begins the population of rodents in your property will grow extremely quickly so it is vital that you take early actions to limit the damage done.
This springtime, take the opportunity to examine the interior and exterior walls of your property looking for any gaps that rats and mice might use to gain access and seal them.
Carpet beetles
Carpet beetles will destroy your carpets and other soft furnishings if allowed to thrive and become much more common in the springtime. Adult carpet beetles are around 4mm in length and tend to be black or brown in colour.
If you see an adult there is a good chance that eggs, and larvae are nearby and you should get in touch with a professional pest controller as soon as possible.
Wasps
As you are probably aware, wasps are one of the biggest summertime pests in the UK, causing chaos in kitchens and picnic tables across the nation.
If you are seeing more than a few of these stinging menaces inside your property, there is a chance that you have a wasp nest nearby.
Wasp nests take the form of circular paper balls, varying in size with often intricate patterns on the exterior. Do not attempt to remove a wasp nest yourself even if you do spot one as if you get the timing wrong by a second or two you could find yourself swarmed by hundreds of the insects, leading to multiple painful stings and possible allergic reactions. Call a professional, it’s not worth the risk and they will have the nest removed in seconds.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are some of the most overlooked pests in the UK and thrive in the hot and humid heat of summer. Many people assume that roaches are only really an issue overseas as they are not a common sight in this country, but this illusion will soon come crashing down if they decide to take up resident in your home or business.
Cockroaches are some of the filthiest pest species and will spread disease and contaminate food at a prolific rate once they access your property.
Ants
If you have ever tried to have a picnic on the grass during the summer, you will likely be all too aware of the presence of ants.
Due to their tiny size, should ants decide to invade your home they can be particularly annoying to deal with and difficult to spot.
Pigeons and gulls
Feral pigeons, gulls, and other pest birds are becoming more and more of an issue all year round in Urban Areas across the UK but are particularly bothersome during the spring and early summer as this is when breeding season begins.
Once gulls have eggs in their nests they will become incredibly territorial and protective and will act extremely aggressively towards anyone that they perceive to be a threat. These birds also create a huge amount of toxic faeces that can wear away surfaces over time and contained many nasty bacteria, including those responsible for E. Coli, Salmonella, and a range of other diseases.
Mosquitoes
According to the British Pest Control Association, the heat of summer creates the perfect breeding conditions for mosquitoes to thrive. Whilst the majority of mosquitoes species are relatively harmless to humans in the UK, there are some concerns that as the climate heats up more dangerous species may arrive from overseas and pose a very serious risk to public health.
Even so, mosquitoes and midges can be pretty annoying to deal with so it is definitely worth picking up some insect repellent spray when preparing for your next outdoor adventure this summer.
Contact a professional Preston pest control company today if you spot evidence of any of these pest species.