Pest Control

 

Wasps are 'social' insects, living in nests in the ground or in buildings. In late spring the queen will start to make a nest in which to lay her eggs, and by August this nest could be as large as a football and contain perhaps 2000 wasps. Towards the end of the summer a generation of perfect males and females are produced who will leave the nest to mate. The new queens hibernate for the winter then start nest building the following spring. The original nest usually dies when the weather gets cold. Wasps will not normally return to a nest that has been used before.

 

 

The Garden Ant has become a nuisance because of its foraging habit. It is particularly attracted to sugary foods, but does not pose a health risk to humans. Found throughout Britain nesting in gardens and around buildings the Garden Ant often enters premises in search of food. To avoid ants indoors ensure that sugary foods are kept in sealed containers and all food spillages are cleared immediately.

 

 

Fleas have adapted throughout evolution to a life spent hopping on and off mammals. In Britain the most common flea is the cat flea which readily bites cats, dogs and humans. Only adult cat fleas live on the animal. Young fleas do not bite and live off debris found in or near the bedding of the host. If no host is immediately available, a young flea will not emerge from the chrysalis, but can wait for up to a year, only coming out when the vibrations of a mammal are felt. Therefore, the complainant need not necessarily have a pet to suffer with fleas.

 

Tablets for adding to pets' food, and/or insecticide powers or sprays can be used on your pet and its bedding, or a collar can be worn by the pet, to help prevent infestation.