Uncontrolled, pests can cause immeasurable problems to health and property. But as harmful as they can be, they are predictable with some pests being more active at certain times of the year.
When it comes to pest control, prevention and preparation is always best. That's why we've prepared this, a guide to seasonal pests, along with a few top tips, to help prevent them.
Whilst some pests, like bed bugs or cockroaches, thrive year round, many become more prominent and active at certain points in the year. Knowing this, you can plan ahead and focus on prevention, rather than reactive eradication.
Winter (December - February)
Mice | Squirrels | Rats | Bed Bugs | Cockroaches
Mice: Mice tend to prefer cluttered areas as it providers safety, to hide and nest in over winter. They will seek warmth and easy access to food will sustain them over the colder periods. Mice can be incredibly harmful, as they often carry disease
Mice prevention tips
Keep your home or business clean and tidy, avoiding clutter.
Ensure bins are emptied regularly, plates are cleaned and food is not stored in outbuildings
Fill holes in buildings to prevent easy access to the property
Rats: As temperatures begin to fall rats will seek warmth and your home or property can provide shelter and an ample supply of food. Rats can prove incredibly damaging to your health and your property. They carry disease and can destroy the foundations of your home or workplace without you realising.
Rat prevention tips
Install strips under doorways, garages etc (they can squeeze into incredibly small spaces)
Repair any cracks, holes or gaps in foundations
Spring (March - May)
Squirrels | Mice | Rats | Pigeons | Ants | Termites | Moths
Termites: As temperatures begin to rise during spring, termites start to mate, and their colonies begin to grow, making termite infestations increasingly likely. They can cause damage to your home or property by feasting on bark, wood and plants.
Termites prevention tips
Repair any leaking taps or broken water pipes
Keep any gutters free from debris
Remove any wood mulch
Keep vents clean and open
Seal off visible entry points around piping or utility lines
Pigeons: Pigeons can make their way into your home, sometimes unintentionally and decide to roost. Sometimes they're just scavenging for food, but their droppings can make you home or workplace look messy, they can carry disease and they can be a nuisance.
Pigeon prevention tips
Make sure there are no holes in your roof where pigeons may get in
Consider adding pigeon spikes to roofs and fences to prevent pigeons
Summer (June - August)
Bees & Wasps | Pigeons | Ants | Cockroaches | Flies
Bees & Wasps: Bees and wasps enjoy the summer and can be considered a pest when nesting in our around your home. If you notice an unusual amount of them around your home or workplace it's likely their nest is nearby.
Wasp prevention tips
The main prevention is to remove any accessible foods so wasps have to venture further to find sources of nutrition.
Instead of trying to remove a bee or wasp nest yourself, always call a professional as a sting could prove to be fatal
Remember that bees should always be removed humanely and ethically
Ants: During the warmer summer months ants multiply and search for food and sugary substances. They can find their way into your home through cracks, loose doors, holes or even windows. Leftover food, dirty dishes and open bins are an invitation to ants.
Ant prevention tips
Keep your home clean and remove food waste properly
Home remedies like powders can help remove ants but is often only a short term solution
Cockroaches: Cockroaches tend to breed in the summer and are abundant at this time of the year. They often find their way indoors through drains, sewer pipes and cracks or breaks in the foundations of your home or workplace. They can spread E.coli and Salmonella to food inside your home, and their excrement can worsen asthma and allergy symptons, so stopping these pests is vital.
Cockroach prevention tips
Remove food sources
Seal up cracks
Fix any leaks
Clean thoroughly
Know when to call in the professionals, most cockroach infestations can't be dealt with using over the counter products
Flies: Flies mainly breed in the summertime and can contaminate everything they touch, spreading pathogens around the home and causing a risk to your health.
Fly prevention tips
Fly nets over windows and doors
Keeping food contained within sealed bins
Investing in UV fly lights
Calling in the pest controllers to install fly control units
Autumn (September - November)
Rats | Mice | Squirrels | Bed Bugs | Spiders | Bats
Squirrels: Squirrels enjoy nesting in attics as it provides a safe, dark place for their young. They can be very destructive and cause a lot of damage to your property. Autumn time is when they tend to have their second litter.
Squirrel prevention tips
Aside from making sure there isn't any way a squirrel can enter your home, it's imperative you call an expert as squirrels can be incredibly territorial in protecting their young.
Bed Bugs: Bed bugs come out at night and can be difficult to discover, you'll typically see signs like skin cases, droppings or small dots of blood.
Bed Bug prevention tips
Wash any upholstery and bed linen on a high temperature
Vacuum your entire home
Move your bed away from any walls
Vacuum the seams of your mattress
With over 30+ years of experience, Anglian Pest Control have helped businesses and people prevent and remove nuisance and harmful pests. Our highly-rated team of professionals are here to help with any pest control problems in and around Cambridgeshire. Get in touch to find out more.
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