Pesky Pests: The Most Common Pest Problems in the UK and Solutions

For some, there is no greater fear than seeing a spider scurry across the floor. A quick glimpse from the corner of your eye might send a lightning bolt down your spine. The method for getting rid of unwanted pests used to be simple: adopt a farm cat and let them run wild. Today, we’re lucky enough to have more options available, from common household solutions to trained professionals.

This article will explore some of the most common pest problems within the UK. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to humanely remove rats from your property or a pest controller considering ways to do your job more efficiently, here are some solutions to pesky pests.

Rats and mice

Rodents are regarded as being some of the peskiest pests. Agile acrobats, with the ability to run up drainpipes, rats and mice seem to crawl their way into any welcoming nook and cranny. During the pandemic, there was a 41% increase in the number of rodent sightings. So, where are they being spotted, and how might you chase these pests out of your home?

A humane response

Wild rodents can carry some nasty diseases. Therefore, the last thing you want to hear in the comfort of your home is an unexpected squeak. Regardless of their frightful nature, traditional rat and mouse traps can seriously harm and maim these animals. Instead of resorting to lethal traps that might not work, you can choose to repel rodents in a humane way.

First, ensure your food cupboards are effectively sealed and any rat-sized entryways into your home are blocked up. Then, you can lay non-lethal traps and release these pests back into the wild. To lure rodents into your traps, spread peanut butter onto them and wait patiently to capture your unexpected guests. Of course, if you’re suffering from an intense case of rodent overpopulation, you should always contact a professional.

Bed bugs and cockroaches

The thought of an insect infestation can make your skin crawl. Bed bugs, small insects which live in our mattresses, are the creatures of nightmares. There are home remedies to repelling these bugs – such as lavender oil and hoovering your bed – but some things are best left to the professionals.

Cockroaches should be treated the same. Any pest controller worth their trousers will know cockroaches are also foolhardy and can live for 1 and a half years. So, this is where an experienced exterminator comes in handy.

Pest controllers to the rescue

Qualified personnel are trained to exterminate unwanted pests. If you’re part of the pest control solution, you might be looking for ways that make your job swifter and more efficient. From investing in the latest equipment to ensuring you have pest control insurance, there are a lot of precautions you can take to work with confidence.

Moths and spiders

Moths might not seem like a pest at first glance. A sepia cousin of the admired butterfly, moths may seem relatively harmless, but they are known to snack on our beloved clothes. On the other hand, spiders strike fear in the hearts of many across the nation. Considering there are 670 species of spiders within the UK, we can see why.

You might be thinking moths and spiders are a strange combination of pests to group together. While they are inherently different pests, and thankfully spiders don’t have wings – contrary to some horrifying stories. However, these two pests have one thing in common: they can be controlled with everyday herbal solutions you can find in your household.

Everyday herbal remedies

There are lots of herbs that deter moths from eating holes in your clothes, from rosemary to lavender and bay leaves. Either spread the dried herbs around your home or formulate an oil to spray on the affected areas. This will repel the pesky moths and save you from a moth-induced wardrobe malfunction.

Similar to moths, spiders can also be scared away from entering your home with simple oil sprays. In particular, spiders dislike citrus fruits and peppermint. So, mix in some orange, lemon, lime, or mint oil with water and spray enough to quell your fear.

These are just a handful of common household pests in the UK. Brave-hearted individuals might try to tackle some of these problems themselves using humane traps and herbal oils. That being said, some pests are far too pesky and are best suited to being faced by a professional pest controller.