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BED BUGS
Evolving over millions of years, Bed Bugs now live primarily from Human blood, but can also feed upon residential pets. Bed Bugs can infest residential and commercial properties such as hotels, hospitals and they can also infest public transportation. They can spread in a variety of ways such as infested second hand furnishings (especially beds, mattresses and sofas), from one infested property to an adjoining one, through travel luggage and through a guest bringing infested luggage and even via their clothes.
The sign of an infestation usually is when bites are noticed together with blood spots on their bed linen. Nonetheless significant numbers of the populace do not suffer a response to the bite. For that reason an infestation may go many months prior to other sins such as eggs, shed skins or Bed Bugs themselves being observed. The longer an infestation goes without treatment, the more difficult it is to eliminate. Therefore if you reside in a higher risk location or believe you might have been exposed to Bed Bugs somewhere you ought to inspect your mattress, bed and bordering furniture for signs of Bed Bugs at least once a month.
An infestation will normally require 2 separate treatments, the 2nd being 7 - 10 days after the very first. Some commercial settings might need a far more extensive regime but each individual case will be discussed on inspection.
BEETLES
There are many varieties of beetles which can infest residential & commercial properties. One that you might see is the Carpet Beetle, the larvae causes considerable damage to carpets in a brief period of time and on the first sight of bare areas do not hesitate to contact Alternative Pest Control Ltd to seek professional assistance. The Biscuit beetle usually gets into dried, wheat based products, at the manufacturing stage. They can easily infest both business and domestic properties and can be considered to be a health risk, as they crawl over food preparation areas.
COCKROACHES
The two main varieties of roach typically located in the United Kingdom are the German Roach (Blattella germanica) which is found all over Europe. They are usually after dark pests and cluster with each other in dark narrow harbourages. They feed upon virtually anything with a calorific content, however, they do need regular access to water. They commonly infest residential and commercial eating areas and can multiply aggressively in warm atmospheres such as heater systems of large buildings and can be introduced using infested foodstuffs or second hand electric home appliances. Control is essential as they are connected with the transmission of different human health problems such as Salmonella & E.coli.
The larger Oriental Roach (Blatta orientallis) can also be seen throughout the UK. These infest similar locations as to those of the German cockroach and have very similar tendencies although they cannot climb slippery/shinny surfaces and usually will use service channels and are more commonly seen in older residential properties and the control is essential although can the Oriental Roach can be harder to eradicate.
FLIES
Flies can be a problematic issue in industrial kitchens and other cooking premises but can also be prominent in residential properties. Both can be treated with a variety of traps and precautionary measures such as fly screens are essential in problematic areas.
FLEAS
Fleas are a distressing pest, usually connected with residential premises and yet can sometimes be transported, on clothing, to offices and other workplaces. If identified early the infestation can be managed quickly usually with one treatment but a more established infestation can take various treatments.
PHARAOH & GARDEN ANTS
Problems with ants in a residential environment can vary from a few foraging, garden or black ants, to a large "intrusion" and can easily be dealt with using the correct treatment. However, a non-native species of ant, such as Pharaoh's, Argentine, Roger's and Ghost ants, can easily create major problems, in both residential and commercial settings and must be dealt with using specialised treatment over a number of weeks, should the wrong treatment be used the ant colony can split creating an even greater problem.
WASPS
Within the UK there are 7 types of wasp of which 4 are common throughout the South East.
The Common Wasp (Vespula Vulgaris) is the wasp you will most often come into contact with. With a yellow/brown colour nest it is usually located in lofts, sheds, air block cavities and can adapt to be found in any sort of void that can easily supply shelter and warmth.
The German Wasp (Vespula Germanica) is comparable in shade and markings to the Common Wasp but a lot larger and more aggressive and their nests are grey in colour and are discovered in similar locations to the Usual Wasp.
The Norwegian Wasp (Vespula Norvegica) . The nests are usually built in shrubs and trees, with the nest encircling many divisions to assist its load distribution. This wasp is very territorial and are likely to attack if the nest is approached.
The Tree Wasp (Vespula Sylvestris) is the smallest of the wasps in the UK. It is much smaller than the Common Wasp but looks similar. Its nest is generally found underground in old bunny rabbit openings or comparable places and they are the most aggressive of all wasps discovered in this country. The vibration produced by walking a number of feet from the nest can easily set off an attack.
BEES
People have kept Honey Bees for thousands of years, in order to exploit their honey. As part of their reproductive life cycle, every year between April and June the old queen will leave the beehive and take several thousand worker bees with her, in order to set up brand-new colony far from the beehive. This process is known as swarming and shouldn't be approached at this time. Should a Bees nest be found within a structure of a building treatment can vary and in the worst case destroyed especially if the building structure has been compromised.
Bumble Bees are definitely not a pest and if you see a nest in your garden please don't make contact asking us to destroy it, we will certainly not! Bumble Bees are meant to have nests outdoors. They are a non-aggressive species and won't sting you unless their nest is threatened. If you are frightened steer clear from it, no credible pest controller will destroy a nest needlessly however in some extreme situations nests can be moved.