All About Insects

There are 20,000 different species of insects in the UK. You may not love these creepy crawlies, but they are an important part of our environment. And not all are pests. But there are times when an insect will find its way into our homes and businesses, becoming a nuisance.

So, what is an insect, and when and why do they become a pest?

What is an Insect?

Insects are described as a small arthropod animal and has several things in common: they have six legs and either one or two pairs of wings.

Broad categories of insects are:

• Dragonflies and damselflies
• Grasshoppers and crickets
• Mayflies
• Flies
• Beetles
• Bees and wasps (and ‘flying’ ants too)
• Butterflies and moths
• Tree bugs

What are Common Insect Pests?

We deal with calls for help relating to all kinds of insects, some more common than others;

• Flies – there are many sub-species of fly. Being inundated with any kind of fly is a nuisance. Known for spreading disease, most flies flock to organic and decomposing matter – e.g. dog poop, horse manure, cat faeces, human excrement etc. – and thus, in most cases, this means there is a bigger problem close to a property. Remove that and the flies should disappear.
• Beetles – again, there is more than one type of beetles in the UK. A woodworm is a type of beetles that lays its eggs in soft, damp wood. When this wood is holding up your roof, the damage caused by the emerging larvae can be catastrophic.
• Bees and wasps – both carry a nasty sting in their tail, something they will utilise if they feel their colony is under threat. Unfortunately, wasps and bees can build their nests in inconvenient places that present a safety issue to you, your family and pets and for businesses, to staff and customers. Using a professional pest control company is the only safe solution!
• Moths – from pretty butterflies to moths, this is a sub-group of insects that can cause damage in the home. The clothes moth, for example, lays eggs on materials and natural fabrics so that the emerging larvae can feed. Carpet beetles do the same thing.

Why Do Insects Become Pests?

Unfortunately, the weather, changes in their natural habitat, lack of food in their surroundings and ‘confusion’ means that an insect can find their way into our homes. The problem is the damage they can cause, as well as the fact that some insects can be difficult to get rid of.

What is the Best way to Treat Insect Problems?

Different insects require different treatment and so it is important to consult a professional pest control technician. Moths and carpet beetles, for example, both leave similar signs of damage but require different treatment.

Wasps and bees are also treated differently. Wasp nests are eradicated completely but depending on the bees, they could be relocated.

A certain kind of insect infestation can also be a sign of another problem – e.g. flies and waste – but also of a weather pattern that is beneficial to them, such as the long, hot summer of 1976 and the explosion in the ladybird population.

Insects are rarely a problem but when an infestation strikes, they can be severe. The best solution is to call the team at SOS Pest Control!