October Pest Watch: Protect Your Home & Business in Herefordshire & Worcestershire
- PGM & SON Pest Control
- Oct 2
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 15
As October brings cooler days and crisp nights to Herefordshire and Worcestershire, pests start seeking warmth and shelter indoors. Our award-winning pest control team are here to help you stay vigilant and keep your home and business pest-free this autumn.
Top Pests in October
Ants
Why Ants Can Still Be a Problem in Autumn
While activity is slowing, ants can still be a problem during mild autumn days. They continue to forage for food and water and may venture indoors if outdoor supplies run low.
Signs of Ants to Watch For
Trails of worker ants indoors, especially in kitchens or near pet food; small mounds of soil near patios or paving stones.
Effective Preventative Measures For Ants
Keep surfaces clean and free from crumbs or sticky residues.
Seal cracks and crevices around doors, windows, and foundations.
Store food in airtight containers.
Trim back vegetation close to the house to reduce access routes.
Ant Fun Fact: Some ant species in the UK can survive the winter by nesting in warm lofts and wall cavities, quietly preparing for spring.
Bed Bugs
Why are Bed Bugs a Concern in October?
Half-term travel may have spread bed bugs into homes. They hide in mattresses, luggage, and second-hand furniture. Cooler months often mean more time spent indoors, which can increase the risk of bed bug infestations. Bed bugs are excellent at hiding in mattresses, furniture, and cracks, feeding on human blood at night. They are small but highly persistent, making early detection crucial.
Signs of Bed Bugs to Watch For
Small reddish-brown stains on sheets or mattresses, tiny black droppings, shed skins, itchy bites on exposed skin, and a sweet, musty odour in heavily infested areas.
Effective Preventative Measures For Bed Bugs
Regularly inspect mattresses, bed frames, headboards, and upholstered furniture for signs of bed bugs.
Wash and heat-dry bedding, curtains, and clothing regularly.
Reduce clutter around sleeping areas to eliminate hiding spots.
When travelling, check hotel beds and keep luggage off floors or beds.
Consider protective mattress and pillow encasements to prevent infestations.
Bed Bug Fun Fact: Bed bugs can go several months without feeding, hiding in the tiniest cracks until they sense warmth and carbon dioxide from a host.
Cluster Flies
Why are Cluster Flies a Problem in October?
Cluster flies become more noticeable in autumn as they seek warm, sheltered places to overwinter, often clustering in lofts, window frames, or wall voids.
Signs of Cluster Flies to Watch For
Large numbers of sluggish flies gathering around upstairs windows or in loft spaces, especially on sunny days.
Effective Preventative Measures For Cluster Flies
Install fine mesh screens on windows and vents to prevent entry.
Seal gaps around windows, eaves, and rooflines.
Vacuum up flies promptly to reduce numbers, and dispose of the vacuum bag to prevent re-infestation.
Consider professional residual insecticide treatments in lofts or other problem areas.
Cluster Fly Fun Fact: Did you know cluster flies can gather in groups of thousands in unused lofts, creating a noticeable buzz and mess?
Fleas
Why Do I Need To Check For Fleas in October?
As the weather cools, pets spend more time indoors, and fleas can move from outdoor areas into homes. Fleas thrive in carpets, pet bedding, and upholstery, and even a few can quickly multiply if left untreated. In Herefordshire, cats, dogs, and wildlife such as foxes and hedgehogs are common carriers.
Signs of Fleas to Watch For
Pets scratching or biting themselves more than usual, small black “flea dirt” specks in pet fur or bedding, red bite marks on humans, and restless or agitated pets.
Effective Preventative Measures For Fleas
Treat pets regularly with veterinarian-recommended flea treatments.
Wash pet bedding, rugs, and soft furnishings in hot water frequently.
Vacuum carpets, floors, and furniture thoroughly and dispose of vacuum bags promptly.
Keep lawns, gardens, and outdoor areas tidy, removing long grass or leaf litter where fleas may hide.
Check pets for fleas after walks in fields, hedgerows, or woodlands.
Flea Fun Fact: A single flea can jump over 200 times its own body length, making them surprisingly fast travellers between pets and homes.
Grey Squirrels
Why are Grey Squirrels a Concern in October?
As autumn progresses, grey squirrels begin storing food for winter and may enter lofts, attics, and roof spaces. Squirrels are common in suburban and rural areas, seeking shelter and safety. Once inside, they can cause significant damage to insulation, wiring, timber, and stored belongings.
Signs of Grey Squirrels to Watch For
Scratching or scurrying noises in lofts or roof spaces, chewed insulation or wiring, droppings, and sightings of squirrels entering or exiting roof gaps.
Effective Preventative Measures for Grey Squirrels
Inspect lofts, eaves, and roof spaces for entry points such as gaps, broken tiles, or damaged soffits.
Seal any access points with squirrel-proof materials like metal flashing or wire mesh.
Trim overhanging tree branches that give squirrels easy access to roofs.
Store firewood and other materials away from the house to reduce shelter opportunities.
Consider professional removal or exclusion if squirrels are already inside to prevent further damage.
Grey Squirrel Fun Fact: Grey squirrels often stash nuts in multiple locations, but they forget about up to 25% of their hoarded food—some of which can sprout into trees!
Rodents (Rats and Mice)
Why Rodents Are a Problem in Autumn
As temperatures drop, rodents seek warmth and shelter, often entering homes, sheds, and businesses. Norway rats and house mice are common in Herefordshire, attracted to food sources and cozy indoor spaces.
Signs of Rodents to Watch For
Droppings, gnaw marks, scratching noises in walls or ceilings, and nests made from shredded materials.
Effective Preventative Measures for Rodents
Seal gaps and cracks around doors, windows, pipes, and vents with rodent-proof materials like steel wool or caulk.
Store food in airtight containers and keep pet food secured.
Clear garden debris, woodpiles, or clutter near buildings where rodents might nest.
Use secure bins and avoid leaving food waste accessible.
Regularly inspect lofts, basements, and outbuildings for signs of activity.
Rodent Fun Fact: Rats have excellent memories and can retrace paths through walls and lofts to return to food sources repeatedly.
Silverfish
Why Are Silverfish a Concern in October?
Silverfish thrive in damp, cool environments and may become more noticeable in homes as heating systems are turned on, driving them to warmer areas.
Signs of Silverfish to Watch For
Small, teardrop-shaped insects in bathrooms, kitchens, or basements; damage to wallpaper, books, or clothing.
Effective Preventative Measures of Silverfish
Reduce humidity by using dehumidifiers or improving ventilation in bathrooms and basements.
Store books, papers, and fabrics in sealed containers.
Seal cracks and crevices in walls or floors where silverfish may hide.
Regularly clean and vacuum areas prone to dampness.
Silverfish Fun Fact: Silverfish have been around for over 400 million years—long before dinosaurs—and can survive in dark, damp corners of homes virtually unnoticed.
Textile Moths
Why Are Textile Moths a Concern in October?
As homes are heated for autumn, conditions become perfect for textile moths to breed. In Herefordshire, these moths target natural fibres like wool, silk, and fur, causing damage to clothing, upholstery, and carpets over the winter months.
Signs of Cloths Moths to Look Out For
Small holes in clothing or fabrics, fine silky webbing in cupboards or wardrobes, shed larval casings, and sightings of small, buff-coloured moths around storage areas.
Effective Preventative Measures for Clothes Moths
Store woollens, furs, and delicate fabrics in sealed, airtight containers or garment bags.
Clean clothing and textiles thoroughly before storing, as moths are attracted to natural oils and food stains.
Vacuum wardrobes, drawers, and floors regularly to remove eggs and larvae.
Use natural repellents like cedar blocks or lavender sachets in storage areas.
Inspect second-hand textiles carefully before bringing them into the home.
Clothes Moth Fun Fact: Female textile moths lay up to 100 eggs in dark, undisturbed fabrics, meaning a small infestation can quickly grow if unnoticed.
Wasps
Why Are Wasps A Concern in October?
Wasp colonies begin to decline in autumn, but surviving wasps become more aggressive as they search for sugary foods before dying off. Late-season nests may still be active in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Signs Of Wasps to Look Out For
Increased wasp activity around bins, gardens, or outdoor food sources; nests in sheds, lofts, or trees.
Effective Preventative Measures for Wasps
Keep outdoor bins tightly sealed and clean up fallen fruit or sugary spills in gardens.
Avoid leaving food or drinks unattended outdoors.
Check for nests in outbuildings or trees and avoid disturbing them; contact professionals for safe removal.
Use wasp traps in gardens to reduce numbers, but place them away from living areas.
Wasp Fun Fact: Late in autumn, wasps lose their queen and workers die off, but they can still invade lofts or sheds searching for warmth.
A Word on Spiders
We don’t consider spiders a pest, but autumn is prime time for them to come inside as they seek warmth and food. In Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the most common species include house spiders, tropical house spiders, and money spiders.
Most are harmless to humans and help control other insects around your home, acting as natural pest controllers. Only rare species, like the false widow spider, can cause mild reactions, but sightings are uncommon.
A Month-by-Month Guide of the UK’s Most Active Pests!
Free Download - Know the Season, Stop the Infestation.
Want to stay one step ahead of pests this year?
Download our FREE “Month-by-Month Guide to the UK’s Most Active Pests” — a handy poster that shows which pests are most active each month, and when to take preventive action.
Got Pests? Not on Our Watch!
If you notice signs of pests in your home, loft, or business, don’t wait—contact our award-winning team for professional loft inspections, treatments, and expert advice.
We provide fast, effective, and discreet pest control services across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, ensuring your property stays safe and pest-free. including popular areas such as Hereford, Leominster, Ross-on-Wye, Bromyard, Ledbury, Worcester, Malvern, Droitwich, and Kidderminster.
Call us anytime on (01981) 540-088 or use our emergency call-out service, available 24/7. Protect your home this autumn and enjoy peace of mind with our trusted, local pest control experts.
Staying one step ahead of seasonal pests makes all the difference as we head into autumn. If you spot any of the signs we’ve mentioned, don’t wait until the problem gets worse—our friently team is only a phone call away.
From your award-winning pest control team,
Phil, Joe and Mark.
