Susan Jefferson

There are times in the year when the threat of being invaded by bugs seems so ever-present it can leave us wishing for a change in the weather. Pest control services in Birmingham are in demand throughout the year but seasonal changes can dictate which unwanted visitors are making their way indoors. Not surprisingly the weather has a major impact on insects and rodents that we hope would make their home outdoors, rather than in our home or business. How do the seasons affect pest services in Birmingham? At any point in the year there is a chance you could find a pest in your home and need pest services in Birmingham but different weather brings different visitors. Summer The heat is a magnet for many insects and on your travels abroad you will have no doubt witnessed how some larger insects thrive in the sunshine. Thanks to the Great British climate cockroaches and mosquitoes are far less prevalent in this country. However, even milder summers can lead to calls for pest servi...

As the name suggests cluster flies are a problem due to their preference to gather in large numbers – but what do you do if they move into your home or business?   Cluster flies in themselves are not harmful to humans, so wh i le the thought of these insects making themselves at home in your house  or business  may be  unpleasant  they will not actually cause you any ill effects.    Looking like a normal housefly ,  expect for some tell-tale yellow hairs ,  cluster flies are slow mover s  that will fly languidly around your house and gather at the windows.    The main way in which they differ from other flying pests is that they are a problem in winter.   As heat - seekers  cluster flies  will appear on the side of homes or at windows as they aim to bask in the warm rays of the sun.    From here they will quite often head into the att ic  – or even the walls of your house or business – as they look for a warm place to rest  and hibernate before waking up in spring .   Why ...

Wasps can be an intolerable and dangerous pest if they decide to nest somewhere in your home, like your loft, garage or shed. So it’s useful to know when they are likely to start nesting and how the nesting and hibernation cycle can be affected by weather. So here at  PestBusters  we have put together a wasp fact file to help you know when to look out for wasps and their nests. Late September time is when wasps nest reach their maximum size and the new Queen and male wasps are produced. Nests can produce around 100 Queen Wasps every year. Mid to late April is when we begin to see wasps again as the re surface in search of food. For the first few weeks the Queen wasps are expected to fend for themselves feeding and gathering nest building materials before the worker wasps begin to join in the nest building process. So How Does Weather Affect This Process? The weather plays a big part in how successful the wasp season will be. If we take this year for example – wasps need a fairly cold...

Quips about old clothes looking moth-eaten are plentiful – but if you are unlucky to have suffered a moth infestation in your home you will know it is not a laughing matter. And unfortunately, it is not just old clothes that moths – or more specifically their larvae - will devour, new clothes, carpets and even pet fur are all on the menu! With such a penchant for fabrics the potential for damage in your home is high if moths decide to make it their home too – after all one hole is enough to ruin your favourite cashmere jumper. How to avoid moths coming into your home Moths are attracted to the light, even though they prefer to hide out and make their homes in dark spaces. Try to avoid leaving windows open while the lights are on at night-time as this will serve as an open invitation to moths. While moths may have come into your home un-noticed making sure you regularly clean areas they will typically make their home will help to keep any larvae at bay. Vacuuming under beds and sofas r...