With autumn upon us, it\u2019s that time of year when pests start making their way out of the cold and into our nice, warm homes.<\/p>\n
Which unwanted visitors are we likely to see lurking around our homes as we transition into winter and what are the signs you should be looking out for? Below we cover everything you need to know about autumn pests.<\/p>\n
Autumn pests in the UK<\/strong><\/p>\n Common pests in UK homes at this time of year include:<\/p>\n Bed bugs<\/strong><\/p>\n With many people returning from their summer holidays, bed bugs brought back in suitcases can be a common problem at this time of year.<\/p>\n Rodents<\/strong><\/p>\n Just like with other pests, rodent numbers aren\u2019t particularly higher during autumn. They\u2019re simply seeking shelter from the cooler and often wetter weather. As food supplies become increasingly scarce outside, the likes of rats and mice are more likely to make their way into homes and buildings.<\/p>\n Signs of a rodent infestation include:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Droppings Spiders<\/strong><\/p>\n While spider numbers peak in the summer, as the weather gets colder they move into buildings for light and warmth. This means that despite the fact that there are actually fewer of them, we\u2019re more likely to notice them in the autumn.<\/p>\n Signs of a spider infestation<\/strong>:<\/p>\n \u2022 Spider webs around the home Cluster flies<\/strong><\/p>\n Depending on the temperature, cluster flies tend to appear in homes and buildings from late September onwards. Because they come inside to hibernate, it can be hard to spot that they\u2019re there. They\u2019re often found under felt in attics and around heating and ventilation pipes.<\/p>\n Fleas<\/strong><\/p>\n Flea populations peak in autumn and people returning home from holidays can also cause an increase in numbers.<\/p>\n Signs of a flea infestation include:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 You may be able to see them on curtains, carpets and furniture Common signs of bed bugs include:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 If you look closely, you may be able to see them. An adult is 4-5mm in length, reddish-brown in colour, has a flattened, oval body and does not have wings If you think you have a pest problem, please get in touch with Prokill and we can book you in for a free, no obligation pest control audit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With autumn upon us, it\u2019s that time of year when pests start making their way out of the cold and into our nice, warm homes. Which unwanted visitors are we likely to see lurking around our homes as we transition into winter and what are the signs you should be looking out for? Below we […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":14386,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_s2mail":"yes","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14892","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n\u2022 Unusual odours (similar to urine or a damp, musky smell)
\n\u2022 Holes in materials that weren\u2019t there before
\n\u2022 Nests
\n\u2022 Scratching noises, especially at night
\n\u2022 Gnaw marks on furniture or tracks on the floor
\n\u2022 Footprints
\n\u2022 If your pet is putting its nose inside crevices for longer and more often than usual or they\u2019re suddenly constantly on the hunt for something, it could be because you have rodents in the house<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 You see them \u2013 as well as webs, spiders can often be found in burrows and crevices
\n\u2022 Some species are attracted to moist environments so check around pipes, sinks, baths, showers, basements, walls, sheds and other damp locations<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Your pet is scratching a lot or you can see them in their fur
\n\u2022 You\u2019re getting bitten. Flea bites are usually located on the lower legs and feet and are characterised by red spots surrounded by red halos. You may experience hives, a rash or swelling around the bite<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 You have bites on your body. These are typically found in a pattern of rows or as a cluster. A small, hard, swollen, white welt may develop at the site of each bite and they may be very itchy
\n\u2022 There are small dark stains on your bed sheets
\n\u2022 You notice a sweet\/sickly scent that you can\u2019t explain<\/p>\n