Terminex

Ensure Moths Don’t Invade Your Home

The majority of people don’t consider moths a problem and are inclined to ignore signs of these pesky insects. However, it’s extremely important to try and eliminate these creatures at the first sign of infestation.

Moth Infestations

The most common type of moth to infest British homes is the clothes moth, referred to in scientific terms as Tineolla Biselliella. These yellow/brown coloured insects grow to around 5mm long and are rarely seen flying as they prefer to stay in dark, undisturbed places around the home.

Clothes moths can cause many problems, largely due to their expensive taste for woollen or silk garments. This includes your finest jumpers, coats, dresses, blankets, carpets and seat covers.

Last summer, the Daily Mail published an article warning readers of the dangers of letting moths spread across the home. The paper told the story of Lizzie, a woman whose London home had a moth infestation that was so bad she had to replace all the contents of her wardrobe and re-carpet her entire house. Lizzie tried everything to try and stop the moths from ruining her home, including putting down lavender sachets (a natural moth repellent), storing all clothes in sealed bags, and using ultra violet plug in lights, which are designed to catch and electrocute moths. Unfortunately, the infestation had gotten too severe for any of the home remedy techniques to be of use.

Clothes moth infestations are becoming more and more common due to the increasing use of central heating. Years ago, moths were only seen in the summer, but these days our warm and cosy homes give them an appealing place to stay and breed.

How to prevent a moth infestation

Clean, clean, clean: Regularly deep cleaning your home, including all carpets, coats, furnishings and other garments, will remove any moth eggs from fibres. Try to avoid putting away clothing which has been worn, as moths are attracted to garments which smell of sweat, perfume, makeup, hair or food products.

Bag it, seal it, store it: Once cleaned, you should ensure all fine clothing and winter coats are stored in specialist clothes bags. This will stop moths eating you out of house and home, and also ensure your garments are kept clean.

Out with the old, in with the new: For every new piece of clothing you bring into the home, try and clear out some old garments or sell them on eBay.

At the end of your tether with moths? Time to call in the experts. At Terminex, we offer professional pest control services and are full members of the BPCA (British Pest Control Association). Our experienced, friendly technicians will happily visit your home or commercial property to ascertain the level of your infestation and discuss how we can go about successfully treating the problem.

For more information or to raise any queries about moth infestations, contact us today.

Getting Rid Of Pigeons

Feral pigeons are high on the list of the UK’s most disliked birds. Their droppings are extremely corrosive, causing millions of pounds worth of damage to buildings, vehicles and statues, and making emergency exit steps and ladders dangerously slippy. In addition, pigeons are well-known for spreading disease, and can cause insect infestations from their harboured pigeon fleas, mites and flies.

Why my property?

Your property is likely to be targeted because you offer pigeons either a vantage point overlooking a food source, a flat surface for nesting and breeding, or a covered area which provides protection against the elements. Pigeons are hardy animals, having originated living on cliff faces, and are therefore common across UK, Europe and the world. They have been known to happily make their homes in farmland, urban areas, coastal regions and even deserts. Our services focus on the London and Hertfordshire regions, which have a very high concentration of pigeons.

How do Terminex get rid of pigeons?

Good pigeon deterrents are often those which do not work by hurting or killing the birds, but by simply encouraging them to roost elsewhere.

The key to eliminating pigeon problems is to reduce the appeal of your home or business to the birds. If this is done effectively you will prevent overnight roosting and daytime perching, and therefore the pigeons won’t soil, spread disease, or leave bacteria or insects on your building. At Terminex, we use a combination of techniques which are tailored to your building and individual pigeon problem.

We will target bacteria and insects with a biocide/insecticide to destroy disease organisms (pigeons can carry Ornithosis and Salmonella) before our pigeon deterrents are installed. This will help us to create a healthy environment for your home or business.

After this essential pest control measure has been completed, pigeons will be kept away from your property with a combination of deterrents such as pigeon spikes, sprung wires and netting. Pigeon spikes and sprung wires will prevent birds from landing on your flat surfaces such as window ledges, flat roofs, chimneys, guttering and roof ridges, encouraging them to land elsewhere. Pigeon netting is an impenetrable way of keeping open areas free from pigeons, preventing access to arches, balconies, entranceways and other areas where the birds may roost. Pigeon netting should always be installed by an expert pest control company so birds are not trapped behind the nets.

A pigeon deterrent plan from Terminex is an effective way of getting rid of your pigeons for years to come. We will visit your home or property and create a solution which is perfectly tailored to your needs.

The Moth – A Misunderstood Creature

All About Moths

In the UK alone, there are around 2,500 moth species. The most common types of moth found in the home are the clothes moth and the Indian meal moth.

Moths are closely related to butterflies, but unlike their prettier relations they’re generally only active at night. The majority of moths are considered pesky insects, as they are often framed for eating natural materials found in the home such as silk and wool. However, adult moths don’t actually eat anything at all and it is the moth larvae that cause this destruction.

Many people do not consider moths a major problem and are inclined to ignore them if found in the home. However, controlling a moth outbreak at the first sign of infestation is crucial.

Indian Meal Moths

The Indian meal moth has brown/grey colourings and is approximately 3 -4 inches long. They are often brought into homes through packages of birdseed then spread around the rest of the property. These pesky creatures can infest all types of dry food packages, such as pasta, rice, walnuts, dates and dry dog food. Therefore, storing food in insect proof airtight containers and ensuring all cupboards and surfaces are thoroughly clean is key in order to avoid an Indian meal moth infestation.

Clothes Moths

The clothes moth has yellow/brown colourings and is around 5mm long. These smaller moths are found in dark, undisturbed areas and are rarely seen as they very seldom fly. Clothes moths received their name through their tendency to destroy fine clothing and fabrics such as cashmere, feather, silk and fur. When infestations occur these moths are known to destroy, carpets, rugs and upholstered furniture.

Moths generally don’t live very long, but the female can lay around 50 eggs, which hatch within just 4–10 days in the summer and around 3 weeks in the winter. To avoid a clothes moth infestation, make sure all winter coats and other fine garments are dry cleaned and stored in clothing bags. You should also try to avoid putting away clothing that has already been worn, as clothes moths are often attracted to perspiration odours. Vacuuming and cleaning all carpets and upholstery regularly will also reduce the chances of a clothes moth infestation.

Getting Rid of Clothes Moths

Here at Terminexwe offer high quality pest control services. Our expert technicians can treat all moths in your home and also advise on how to prevent the infestation from reoccurring. Contact us today and say goodbye to pesky moths.

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