Some of the most problematic creatures in the world are simply living in places they were not supposed to be. Whether they are in the wrong country or are living in houses when they should be outside, controlling these pests is not always easy. Getting rid of animals and insects can be difficult, so the best solution is to prevent them going where they shouldn’t.

The edible dormouse

A local example of a non-native species becoming a pest is the edible dormouse. This tasty critter was once eaten by the Romans, but although it is common in Europe, it was absent from Britain until it was introduced to Lord Rothschild’s estate in 1902.

Rothschild was always a bit of an eccentric. His Hertfordshire estate was home to all manner of exotic species, and he had a carriage drawn by four zebras. At the time, the mice were not a problem, but with the population now at around 30,000 in the Herts area, the rodents are beginning to invade people?s homes. They can be noisy, damage woodwork and create a health hazard with their droppings. To prevent this they simply need to be kept out of the house by blocking up holes and entry points. Unfortunately, this is not always as easy as it sounds, and as the mice are protected by law, they must be removed by a professional pest control service.

Clothes moths

Despite its name, the clothes moth did not evolve specifically to munch its way through our cashmere jumpers. In the wild they will eat any form of keratin, a protein found in feathers, hair and wool. The larvae, which cause the damage, have been found on dead animals and birds.

The moths infest our homes because there are a large number of natural fibres in conveniently dark, warm and damp environments. With central heating on in the winter they can breed all year round, and they love undisturbed garments shoved at the back of cupboards. The best way to deter them is to remove their preferred food sources. Clothes should be regularly washed and moved, or stored in bags if they are not going to be worn for long periods.

Pigeons

Pigeons are not originally from cities either, because throughout history cities have been extremely rare. The feral pigeon evolved from the rock dove, a bird most at home on cliffs and rocky ledges. They have only moved into cities because there is so much food available.

While removing food from our pavements and uncovered bins would be the best way to get rid of pigeons, this is unfortunately not likely to happen.  Instead, we can only prevent them perching on our buildings. Spikes and nets can be really effective in stopping pigeons getting where they shouldn’t be.

Although keeping pests away from our homes is always the best solution, sometimes they still manage to find their way in. If this happens to you, contact us at Terminex. We have loads of experience dealing with rats, mice, insects, moths and pigeons. Even the occasional edible dormouse.