When
Summer arrives so do the 'creepy crawlies', presumably
these differ depending on where you live, below
are some common British ones and how they should
be treated (my apologies to all animal lovers).
Garden Ants
These are attracted by sweet foods but are generally
harmless.
-
If
you can locate the ants' nest you can use
an ant powder or spray which will do the trick.
If the nest cannot be found, see if you can
identify where they are entering the house
and the run they are using - it is amazing
how they seem to use the same thin route.
Place some powder or bait outside in
this run. MAKE SURE IT IS OUT OF REACH
OF CHILDREN AND PETS.
-
If
this is not possible try putting some water
in an empty jam jar, make sure there is some
jam on the edge of the jar and this may tempt
some of them for a swim.
-
Apparently
ants never cross a chalk line, so get out
your chalk and draw a line wherever ants tend
to march and see for yourself.
Bedbugs
These live in crevices, loose wallpaper, beds
etc. and feed, at night, on human blood!
The
best way to deal with these little monsters is
to contact your local authority pest control.
Bees
These are not harmful unless provoked, trapped
or you are unfortunately in their line of flight.
Best
not to attempt to remove yourself, contact the
experts, details of which can be found in libraries,
local authorities etc.
If
you have bees in a chimney, light a fire in the
grate and this should remove them safely and harmlessly.
Some
bumble bees are endangered species.
Booklice
If
booklice are found in cupboards these can be eradicated
by using a hair dryer on a hot setting.
These little devils feed on microscopic moulds
found on the glue of bookbinding as well as damp
surfaces and food.
Ventilate
and dry any infested areas, obviously discarding
any contaminated food.
The area can be treated with insecticides for
'Psocids', however, always read the instructions
very carefully.
Carpet beetles
Mottled ladybird like pests. The Larvae,
known as woolly bars, eat wool and damage natural
fibres. They leave holes similar to that
of moths.
Vacuum
all fluff from cupboards, carpets etc.,
Spray mothproofer or carpet beetle killer between
floorboards, under carpets and into any crevices.
Remove any old birds' nests from the eaves and/or
loft. Clean affected clothes, blankets etc.
Clothes moths
It is the larvae which
are white with brown heads, that damage blankets,
wool carpets, clothes etc. the adult moths do
not harm at all.
Clean
woollens and store in suitable bags. Spray
fabrics/carpets with a mothproofer and put a repellent
in wardrobes and cupboards.
Cockroaches
Like to live in moist,
warm, dark places. They eat any sort of food but
contaminate more than they actually eat and can,
therefore, cause serious food poisoning.
If
you can find the source and they are not too prevalent,
a spray insecticide may do the trick. If
the infestation persists call in the environmental
health officer.
Fleas
These are commonly caught
from cats and birds, with August/September being
the worst months. Larvae are sometimes found
in soft furnishings used by cats.
Wash
cats' bedding and dust with flea powder.
Clean throughout the house and spray with flea
killer aerosol. Treat animals as instructed
by Vet. Search for and remove any birds'
nests in eaves and loft.
Flies
Carry and spread gastoenteric
illness and food poisoning as well as being extremely
irritating.
Keep
food covered and bins scrupulously clean.
Spray dustbins after emptying to kill eggs and
maggots. The use of fly spray or impregnated
strips can deter the flies but these can cause
discomfort to people with respiratory problems.
Flour moths, beetles or weevils
Feed on flour, cereals, stored food, chocolate,
dried fruit and nuts.
Clean
out infested food. Clean and dry the area
well. Storing supplies in closed, plastic
containers can help.
Mice
Use
fruit and nut chocolate for bait instead of cheese.
Bait
can be placed in a milk bottle or similar jar,
which should be place on a ramp (with the neck
higher than the base). The mouse will then
go in to feed but will not be able to get back
out. The captured mouse can then be allowed
to go free in a more suitable area (well away
from the house).
Ensure
any holes large enough to insert a ball pen in
are filled, as mice can use these to enter the
house.
When
trying to catch mice, site traps horizontally
around the edge of the room. This will then
be effective whichever way the mouse runs.
If
you don't know where the rodent is coming from,
sprinkle flour on the floor around the area and
it will then be evident from the footprints.
A tray containing lard or solid fat can also do
the trick.
Mosquitoes, gnats and midges
Females feed on blood, biting mostly at dusk.
Eggs are laid in stagnant water.
Clean
out guttering, bird baths, water butts etc. as
these are ideal breeding sites.
Door and windows can be screened and repellents
can be used on skin.
Silverfish
These are harmless but
their presence may indicate dampness. They
feed on glue and starch in paper and bookbinding's.
Eliminate
damp by checking for leaky plumbing, condensation,
rising damp etc. Insecticides for crawling
insects will kill them.
Slugs and Snails
Jill
Young says she has found the ultimate eco-friendly
answer to slug and snail infestation in her garden,
which is 100% safe for pets and garden wildlife.
It is called SLUG-X.
Lydia
Dorsey has sent us this innovative homemade
remedy - she saves tuna fish cans and buries them
so that the top is level with the ground, fills
the can with beer and, apparently, the slugs crawl
in, drink and die.
Wasps
At their
worst during August and September but die naturally
by the end of Autumn.
Attracted by sweet food and drinks.
Stay
still and they will soon go away. If you
try to swat them this can cause their friends
to come and help.
Trap
with jars partly filled with water, jam and a
drop of washing up liquid, covered with a punctured
paper lid. Individual wasps can be destroyed
by a proprietary wasp or fly killer.
Seek advice from environmental health department
or pest control company before tackling wasp nests.
Woodlice
Woodlice
like moisture and, therefore, if you sprinkle
talcum powder around any infestation this should
get rid of them.
Woodworm
This is the larvae of
the common furniture beetle. They cause
holes 2mm in diameter in the surface of wood and
can cause structural damage in timbers and furniture.
Small
infestations can be treated with two generous
coats of woodworm killer. Furniture can
be treated by injecting the fluid into some of
the holes with an applicator. Large outbreaks
should be treated by a pest control company.
courtesy of
http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/
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