Are you experiencing pests, vermin or infestations in your home?
Pests being in and around your home can be a nuisance and, at times, a health and safety issue. Please see below for some advice on what to do when you have a potential infestation in your home, and some tips to help prevent infestations.
Mice & Rats
In the first instance you should contact your local council’s environmental health team. Details can be found below:
G42 postcodes: report online: www.glasgow.gov.uk/pestcontrol or call 0141 287 1059.
G44 postcodes: report online: www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/pest-control
There may be a charge for the work the council do, which you will need to pay for.
We will liaise with the council following rodent control, and we will fill and block any holes in the fabric of the building, both internal and external, to prevent further access.
Ants
Ants or other crawling insects can be a nuisance in your home. You can buy treatments for insect infestations in shops or online. Carefully follow the instructions provided with the treatment and be especially careful if there are children and dogs in your home.
Wasps
You can use a pesticide spray or powder to get rid of wasps’ nests. If you choose a DIY method, you will need to act with care, as it may result in aggravated wasps and potentially cause injury.
It may be easier and safer to contact a local pest control company or your local council’s environmental health team. Details can be found below:
G42 postcodes: GCC offer a service for live wasps’ nests to residents between June and September. This service is chargeable at £109. The exact location of the wasps’ nest must be known, visible, accessible and no more than 20 feet from the ground.
G44 postcodes: ERC offer residents access to pest control treatments through their contractors Graham Pest Control. This service is chargeable at £61.20 per visit. As with GCC, the exact location of the wasps’ nest must be known, visible, accessible and no more than 20 feet from the ground.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs can spread quickly through your home as they travel in furniture, bedding and clothing. If you think you may have bed bugs you should wash your bed linen and clothes at as high a temperature as possible (ideally 60°C), or dry them in a tumble drier, as any temperature above 50°C will kill them. Vacuum carpets thoroughly and you may use an insecticide for bed bugs. You will need to repeat this several times to kill the eggs.
Fleas
Like bed bugs, fleas can be tough to get rid of. If you suspect there are fleas in your home, wash all your bed linen and clothes at as high a temperature as possible (ideally 60°C) to kill the fleas. Thoroughly vacuum all carpets and furniture. If you are a pet owner, ensure that they are treated with flea prevention treatment regularly.
Remember! Prevention is better than cure, so follow these simple steps to minimise the chance of an infestation in your home.
· Keep all kitchen and food preparation areas clear and store foodstuffs in sealed containers.
· Don’t leave dirty dishes, etc. in the sink or on drainers.
· Make sure any waste bins are securely covered and are emptied frequently.
· Make sure any gaps between/behind appliances, such as cookers, are cleaned regularly.
· Report any minor water leaks promptly to deny water sources.
· Make sure your home is clutter free and tidy.
· Wash and dry bed linen on the hottest temperature setting permitted.