Expert Reveals Seven Summer Pests To Look Out For
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The warm weather season is just around the corner, which brings more sunshine and longer days. This sounds great, but it doesn’t just bring humans to the great outdoors, but pests too.
Pests cause damage to your property and carry diseases which can be a real danger to your health. It’s important you identify that you have a pest problem as soon as possible. This limits potential damage to your home and prevents the possibility of you becoming ill after coming into contact with some of these pests.
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Hide AdTo make the job of identifying these pests easier for you, Joshua Houston, Pest Control expert at Household Quotes has revealed the seven you should look out for this Summer.


Mosquitos
Mosquitos are an irritating pest, most of the time you won’t even notice their presence until you wake up the next morning covered in bites. They increase in volume during the Summer and can be identified through the small raised red bumps that they leave on your skin.
Disease can be spread by mosquitoes as they are vectors, this means they carry diseases between animals and humans. The diseases they cause include; Chikungunya, Dengue, West Nile virus and Malaria. They are most commonly found around places that contain water such as; lakes, ponds, marshes, pools and birdbaths.
Rats
When someone mentions pests, it won’t be long until rats come to mind. They can live in wall cavities, roof spaces and under floorboards so can become a real nuisance if not addressed. You might also find them under your shed, or grass banks, in burrows that they have created. To discover whether or not you have rats in or around your home, a key sign to look out for is droppings. If you can’t find any droppings but still suspect rats then listen carefully for movement inside your walls and roof.
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Hide AdRats often carry bacteria that can make a human seriously unwell if ingested. As rats like to eat your food, there is a strong possibility that if you don’t deal with the infestation immediately then they could gain access to your food storage areas.
Seagulls
According to Blue Health, over 170 million people visit the British coastline each year. This is welcome news not only to local business owners but also to seagulls. Seagulls are noticeable due to their relatively large size, orange feet and loud squawking calls. You have to be on the ball around them as they’ll have no problem stealing food out of your hand. This is what makes them one of the most hated birds amongst the general public.
Despite popular belief, they aren’t only found near the coast. Seagulls will travel to anywhere a large amount of food is dropped regularly. This can be schools, country parks or theme parks due to the large gathering of people, and therefore a significant amount of potential food.
Ants
Ants nests are a common site in UK homes over the Summer months, they favour the cracks and crevices around your home. They should be one of the more obvious pests to spot, as despite being small they are always in big numbers. Despite being one of the less harmful pests to humans, you will still want to remove them from your home. Bites can be irritating and due to the vast amount of them, they can get anywhere and everywhere.
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Hide AdTo get rid of ants, an ant killer is your best option. It acts quickly destroying the nest in just a few days, and is cost-effective being readily available for less than £10.
Wasps
Bug Life estimates that there are over 9,000 species of wasps in the UK, but only a small percentage of the nation's general population will be able to identify the differences. To most, each wasp will be seen as annoying as the next, with a slight worry of being stung at any given moment. Unlike bees, wasps don’t die after they sting, so they are more aggressive to humans. People often struggle to relax with wasps around them, so having a nest close to your home can be a real nightmare.
Wasps nests can normally be found in sheds, garages, bird boxes, wall cavities and roof spaces, and can become very dangerous if disturbed. When it comes to the removal of wasp nests, it’s always best to call in the professionals. They will have the protective equipment to make sure the job is done as safely and ethically as possible. Doing it yourself without proper safety protections could seriously injure you or make the problem worse.
House flies
House flies are a more common pest in your home, they gain access through open windows and can be a real nightmare to get out. Most people tend to give up and allow them free roam as they don’t sting or bite like wasps or mosquitoes. However, house flies can carry dangerous diseases like E. coli, typhoid fever and salmonella which can result in vomiting, diarrhoea and nausea.
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Hide AdTo find out if you have house flies in your home listen out to a light buzz sound, or keep your eyes peeled as they tend to make themselves known. A home remedy for getting rid of house flies is filling a bowl with both vinegar and soap water, before placing a plastic wrap with punctured holes over the top. The smell will attract the flies and get them stuck within the liquid.
Mice
Mice like areas where there aren't many people around, so in your home that might be your loft, garage, voids and crawl spaces. They live in burrows and venture out to look for food that they can bring back. This becomes a real problem for the homeowner, as mice might nibble on any food they have that isn’t secure. Due to mice potentially carrying bacterial and viral infections, this can be a real danger for people living in the home.
Ways to spot if you have a mouse infestation is to search for droppings, as well as bite marks on furniture and different items in your home. To avoid attracting mice in the first place, make sure to seal all entry points to your home so that there’s no chance of entry. Mice only need a space the size of a diameter of a pencil to enter your home. Live traps are an effective way to get rid of a mouse problem, they are also the most ethical because they do not kill the mouse like other solutions.
Joshua Houston, Pest Control expert at Household Quotes:
''After a long wet Winter season, the UK is due to a sustained period of warm weather. We all want to finish work and relax in our outdoor space facing the sunshine. However, a hindrance to this are those irritating pests.
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Hide AdYou must keep on your toes to ensure your home is clear of any potential pests. They can be dangerous to yourself and your family, so use these tips to identify if you have a pest problem and what the pest is.''