Springtime Pest Guide.
With springtime just upon us and Covid restrictions becoming a thing of the past we’ll all be dusting off our hiking boots, sprucing up the garden and maybe even booking a nice weekend away. While this shift in the weather and our behaviour is much anticipated, these changes all cause/coincide with a shift in the pests posing a threat and nuisance to our home, family and pets. With that in mind we’ve compiled a quick list of pests you might encounter this spring, how to spot them and how to avoid them.
Ticks.
We’re increasingly becoming aware of the adverse consequences of encountering these little parasitic buggers in Ireland, namely the possibility of developing Lyme disease. Due to inadequate testing facilities and unfamiliarity/lack of awareness around the diagnosis, this consuming disorder is often left un or misdiagnosed here, resulting in a general lack of public awareness of the signs and dangers of ticks. So be aware, although very common, these pests can cause serious incurable disease.
How to spot a tick/bite:
Ticks are arachnids and therefore have 8 legs. They can range in size from as small as the head of pin to to about the size of an apple seed when engorged. Ticks tend to like warm/moist spots so bites on your or your pet are more likely to occur in areas such as the armpit, ear, neck, bellybutton, and in between toes so check these areas particularly if concerned about bites. While most bites will go unnoticed and are harmless, signs of an adverse effect of a bite can are: swelling, rash, and in more extreme cases breathlessness. Please immediately consult a doctor if you experience these symptoms.
How to avoid ticks:
April to Oct (depending on warmth) is the time you or your pet is most likely to encounter ticks. Strolls through long grass or woodland areas can often provide opportunity for a tick to pass onto you or your pooch. So when hiking through bushy areas consider wearing trousers rather than shorts/skirts, tucking them into the socks can also prevent you becoming their next meal. You can also buy tick repellent for your clothing and pet. Remember, now is the perfect time to check your doggos are on schedule with their flea and tick treatments.
Bedbugs:
While bedbugs aren’t necessarily a springtime pest here at APS we predict we’ll see more cases this spring, especially as we move from a covid restricted world back to normality; as people become less fearful holiday bookings increase and in-turn stays in strange sheets.
How to spot and avoid bedbugs:
There’s no fool proof method to prevent bedbugs bar avoiding staying in rooms which are inhabited by them, so when staying in a new room always check it when you enter. Check that the bedding has been changed and that there are no stains or blood markings on it, and don’t let the name mislead you, bedbugs aren’t just found on beds, they’re often spotted on bedside lockers, headboards, corner lamps etc, so have a quick look to see if you can see any creatures that shouldn’t be there. Mature bedbugs are about 5mm in length, brownish-red in colour, appearing flat and oval in shape. However, younger unfed bedbugs will be translucent and can be as small as 1mm.
If you do carry these nasty creatures home immediate professional help is always the best course of action as they can multiply extremely quickly.
Rats:
Although rats breed year round they will often avoid the colder winter months if in unsuitable environments, therefore spring warmth tends to see a bit of a baby boom in rodent populations. Springtime can also mean gardening which can mean greater chance of spotting burrows. This green-fingered season can also mean trimming back natural harbourages and disturbing their homes, spotting burrows that you may have missed in winter, and building and using organic composts and planting vegetation which may act as lures.
How to spot rats:
Within the home you may have noticed noises or scratching, new smells, droppings or gnawed on materials; within the garden you may see burrow holes, if you want to check if the burrow is still active then put a light sod of dirt over the burrow and check on it over the next couple of days, active burrows will reopen. You can also use the grass overgrown winter grass to spot them, look at the grass for signs of ‘rats runs’ which look like thin paths etched through the grass. Lastly look out for gnawed on materials, particularly food waste which may have blown or been dragged into the garden.
How to avoid rats:
Rats love overgrown garden areas which can provide shelter and shield them from predators, so trimming back the overgrowth can be beneficial. Food waste and composting bins which are not sealed can be great food sources to all rodents, make sure they’re free from damage and tightly sealed to avoid attracting rats this spring. Check the perimeter of your house for any holes or gaps, and ensure all drain covers are sitting properly and free from damage, pay close attention to potential burrows near these drainage areas.
If you need assistance inspecting, proofing or treating rodents then APS are here to help, contact us for a free treatment quote this spring.
