Today we’re taking a look at The Top Five Pests you’re most likely to encounter this Winter.
1. Rodents
Although rats and mice are around all year they tend to become more of a problem in the winter months as they start to move indoors looking for food and water and safe, warm harbourage.
If you’ve seen a rat or mouse in your home, business or garden you may well have a rodent infestation.
Rat Fact
For the first time ever, one of Britain’s highest animal honours, the PDSA Gold Medal, has been awarded to a rat for sniffing out landmines in Cambodia. HeroRAT magawa is a giant pouched rat trained to detect landmines by charity APOPO. He has discovered 39 landmines and 28 items of unexploded ordnance to date making him the charity’s most successful HeroRAT.
Wow - Rats Amazing! That’s one heroic rodent Ratfans.
2. Squirrels
Squirrels may well look cute and fluffy but they can cause significant damage to both property and the environment. The non-native grey squirrel causes irreversible damage to trees and properties and is the culprit in the demise of the UK’s native red squirrel population.
Squirrel Fact
Squirrels’ teeth never stop growing! Makes you think about how they keep them in check doesn’t it? Well a squirrel can quite easily gnaw through wood, aluminium, lead, copper, plastic, vinyl siding, sheet rock, asphalt, and mortar, virtually anything that is softer than the hard enamel on their teeth. That’s just nuts!
3. Flies
Cluster flies may continue to cause a problem until temperatures drop further and they finally remain inside until spring arrives and they return to the Herefordshire fields to continue their life cycle. Cluster flies aren’t a disease carrying pest, however, they do have a habit of forming clusters when hibernating often in significant numbers in the upper spaces of properties such as roof spaces, eaves and upper rooms which can be a nuisance.
Did you know?
Cluster flies feed on earthworms!
4. Cockroaches
Cockroaches don’t generally thrive outside so you’ll find them inside and German cockroaches love hot, humid conditions so as the winter draws in and the heating goes on you may discover a cockroach problem.
Cockroach fact
Cockroaches date back over 300 million years so even our pre-historic ancestors had to endure the cockroach! Yabba dabba doo!
5. Wasps
When we think of wasps it often conjures up an image of hot, sunny summer months batting away the buzzing pests. However wasps can continue to cause a problem right into winter. High temperatures coupled with artificial lights and central heating can confuse hibernating Queen wasps in Winter to come out of hibernation. This can lead to problems in a house with wasps and even people getting stung!
Wasp Fact
The largest wasp nest ever recorded was found on a New Zealand farm in April 1963, having fallen from the tree in which it had been hanging as it was so heavy. When whole, the nest measured 12ft 2 inches in length and 18ft in circumference. We wouldn’t want that in the back garden!
Rats, mice, cockroaches, cluster flies, wasps and squirrels are all commonly found pests in Herefordshire.
If you are having a problem with rats, mice, cockroaches, cluster flies, wasps or squirrels in your home or business give PGM & Son Pest Control a call today
For all your pest control needs, give PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford a call on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480 for a free no-obligation chat.
If you prefer, you can email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk , or you can use the live chat facility on our website.
We’re always on the end of the ‘phone for advice so don’t worry about your pest problems, give us a call now.
