Ants
Ants will make their homes in dark places usually pavements, cracks in concrete, woods and among other places. There colonies can be moderately large. Swarms of ants usually appear in the hot summer months of June and July, but can be seen other times of the year also. Their diet consists of other insects, honeydew, fruit and other food stuff. Most pesticides will eradicate them Fleas
Fleas are small (1/16 to 1/8-inch (1.5 to 3.3 mm) long), agile, usually dark coloured wingless insects with tube-like mouth-parts adapted to feeding on the blood of their hosts. The adult flea's diet consists solely of blood; the larvae feed on various organic matter, including the feces of mature fleas. Fleas attack a wide variety of warm-blooded vertebrates including dogs, cats, humans, chickens, rabbits, squirrels, rats, ferrets, and mice. Bed Bugs
The common bedbug (Cimex lectularius) is the species best adapted to human environments. It is found in temperate climates throughout the world and feeds on human blood. Its name comes from its preferred habitat: mattresses, sofas, and other furniture. Although not strictly nocturnal, bedbugs are mainly active at night with a peak feeding period about an hour before sunrise. Habits and behaviour
- Will hide in all sorts of cracks and crevices including plug sockets, skirting board, head board, picture frames, under carpets and beading etc
- Feed on mammalian blood, principally human, but will also feed off dogs, cats or rodents
- They will feed every few days but are able to consume 7 times their body weight and can go for prolonged periods (1 year) with no food
- Primary nocturnal
Signs of Infestation
- Bites may cause allergic reaction or unpleasant irritation
- Blood spots on bed sheets
- Blood spots at entrance to cracks, crevices or other harbourage areas
Cockroaches
Cockroaches will survive almost anywhere, they are a very adaptable insect and adapt to whatever climate they are in; most other insects would not survive. They carry bacteria and can cause diarrhoea, dysentery and food poisoning. EPC services can eradicate cockroaches with our insecticides and pesticides, our trained staff can advise you on what to do about prevention. Signs of infestation
- Live insects – cockroaches are nocturnal and hide during the day. You will most likely see them when turning on the light in the kitchen at night
- Egg cases and cast skins – cockroaches shed their skin 5-8 times as they mature
- Droppings – cockroaches leave a dust of black droppings less than 1mm wide and of varying lengths
- Odour – established cockroach infestations produce an unpleasant, musty smell
- Damage - cockroaches will attack organic goods including leather and books
