Pests from A to Z
Other Pests
Bats
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides protection for all species of bat found in the United Kingdom. It is illegal to kill, or even disturb, bats in their roosts.If bats are present, and there is a possibility of them being disturbed, you should consult Natural England : Tel: 0114 241 8920, Scottish Natural Heritage Tel: 0131 447 4784 or Countryside Council for Wales Tel: 08451 306229. They will arrange for a person to visit the site and advise on the best course of action.Bats may only be handled by those licensed to do so.
Foxes
Many people are concerned about foxes affected by mange. A scruffy looking fox is not necessarily an ill fox. When moulting in spring, foxes look quite rough but this does not mean they are mangy.
They are typically found in woodland and open country, but their presence in urban areas is increasing. Red foxes are opportunist feeders and eat insects, earthworms, fruit, berries, wild birds, small mammals and scraps left by humans.
Red foxes are primarily active at dusk and night. They are solitary, but they very occasionally group together in a pack. Foxes forage alone in different parts of their territory, which may extend from 25 to 5,000 acres, depending on the habitat.
Faeces and urine mark territories. Reproduction Vixens come into heat once a year for one to six days. They give birth to four to seven cubs in a den (also called an earth), after a gestation period of 51-53 days. The cubs are weaned after seven to nine weeks, and become sexually mature after a year. The number of cubs and the time of year in which the vixen gives birth depends on food availability.
Moles
In rural areas especially, moles can cause great damage to your garden/land by tunnelling through the soil, up to…inches below the surface. With heavy infestations, the ground can become unstable and holes may appear not only damaging the foundations of your land but also creating safety risks.
Moles tunnel using their large two front paws to scrape away the earth and feel along tunnels with their snouts and whiskers. Because of the absence of light within their living conditions, moles have very poor eyesight so very rarely will you see mole activity above ground.
Harvestmen
Harmless spider-like creatures with eight exceptionally long, thin legs. They do not spin webs but occasionally wander into homes.
Parasites
An organism that lives on the outside of (ectoparasite) or within the tissues of (endoparasite) another living organism.
Slugs
A mollusc, occasionally found indoors, in damp areas such as cellars.
Snakes
In the UK snakes are not dealt with as pests by an average pest control company as problems are not common and dealing with snakes requires particular skills. It is illegal to kill, injure or sell any native British snake or lizard including Grass Snakes, Adders and Slow worms. (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981)
The Adder, or Viper, is Britain’s only poisonous snake. If you are experiencing problems with snakes please contact a specialist or contact your local RSPCA shelter for advice.
Spiders
In the UK, native spiders are not considered dangerous or a threat to health but some households suffer with ‘nuisance’ house spiders, and because of common fears (arachnophobia) many require pest control.
If you require this particular you can contact one of our members to obtain advice and possible treatment methods, usually smoke generators. If you are experiencing problems from a species in which you do not identify with the UK and are worried, you can contact your local RSPCA shelter for advice.
Worms
Parasitic worms are a veterinary or medical problem but they are included here because some may be transmitted by rats, mice or certain insects.
Threadworms are fairly common in dogs, cats and children. They are thin whitish wrigglers about 5mm long, normally only detected after they have passed out of the gut. They may cause intense anal itching at night in young children. The trouble normally starts when threadworms’ eggs are swallowed with unwashed, contaminated fruit or raw vegetables or from food handled by unwashed hands.