by Sally Fox-PriceCommon Pests Found In Swindon
Pests can cause a significant issue for homeowners and business leaders, and the most common pests found in your area depend on where you live. Location is a key part of pest activity, as it determines the local habitat and the availability of food.
Additionally, local architecture dictates how likely pests are to be able to find entry points. Older properties and large commercial sites tend to be the easiest for pests to seek shelter inside.
As a leading provider of pest control services throughout Swindon, Mission Pest Control understands the common pests found in the area. Keep reading to learn more and find out how to deal with these common pest problems in your Swindon home or business premises.
Common Pests In Swindon
Swindon is a beautiful town that contains a mixture of Victorian period properties, 1970s post-modern buildings and modern industrial architecture. All of these properties can offer nuisance pests potential entry points, giving them access to food sources and shelter but also posing a health risk for residents, visitors and business leaders throughout Swindon.
Bordered by the River Ray and the River Cole, and with woodland areas including Nightingale Wood and Stratton Wood, Swindon is a combination of town and country. It borders busy cities such as Bristol, Bath and Oxford, and has strong transport links to these areas and others across the UK.
These visitors and commuters can not only bring insect pests, such as bed bugs and fleas, but also attract rodents, insects and nuisance birds by increasing the amount of waste in the town, which can act as a food source for many pests. Below are some of the most common pests found in Swindon.
Rats
Rats are a common pest found in Swindon, as they come from nearby rivers and wetlands, and make themselves at home inside homes or business premises, especially in the winter when they’re searching for shelter. Swindon’s growing independent food scene offers rats an ideal opportunity to find both shelter and food, but their presence can cause food service businesses to be shut down and fined.
There are two species of rats found in the UK, and the most common is the brown rat, which has light brown fur and a short, stubby tail. In areas close to water, you may encounter black rats, which are sleeker, smaller and more nervous of humans. Whichever species of rats you’re facing, Mission Pest Control can provide fast, effective rat control across Swindon.
Mice
Similar to rats, mice are also a common pest found in Swindon, as they often make the most of period properties and use holes in their exterior to use as entry points. Mice are smaller than rats, and the most common mouse species found in Swindon is the house mouse.
House mice have small ears and a thin, hairy tail. To identify mice compared to rats, consider if they creature looked conventionally cute. Also, look at its size and tail if possible. Mice and rats can both be nervous of humans and fast, meaning you might not be able to work out which species they are. If you think you have mice or another rodent problem in your Swindon property then Mission Pest can assist with pest identification and eradication.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are a common pest problem in Swindon, as they can spread easily through public transport, visitors and large connected properties, such as terraced houses and blocks of flats. Bed bugs are parasitic and can cause symptoms similar to PTSD, which can significantly affect your life.
Also, because bed bugs can lie dormant for up to a year without a blood meal, they can be difficult to get rid of using DIY methods. Even some professional pest control companies struggle to fully eradicate bed bugs with chemical treatments alone, which is why, as part of our bed bug control service, Mission Pest Control offers heat treatment for bed bugs. Heat treatment uses specialist equipment to heat furniture and affected rooms to a high heat, which kills bed bugs, eggs and larvae in even the deepest of hiding places, ensuring the infestation can’t return to your Swindon property.
Fleas
Another common insect pest, fleas are spread by both local wildlife and pets. Even households without pets can get a flea infestation, as fleas can spread through contact with infested animals, and will jump onto clothing or furniture. Once on there, they will look for a host animal, and once they’ve found one they will start to lay eggs and breed, turning an encounter with an infested pet into a major flea problem.
Like bed bugs, fleas can be difficult to treat without specialist support. Mission Pest Control has the expertise and equipment needed to carry out effective flea control for homes and businesses, ensuring that fleas are fully removed.
Cockroaches
Throughout Swindon, cockroaches are a common pest that can cause distress and contaminate food. In business premises, cockroaches are commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms and other moist areas. For domestic properties, Oriental cockroaches, which are one of the few species hardy enough to live outside, can be found in sheds and outbuildings.
The other common species of cockroach found in the UK are German cockroaches, but American cockroaches and brown-banded cockroaches have also been sighted. Whatever cockroach species you’re facing, Mission Pest Control offers expert cockroach control to deal with the issue quickly and effectively.
Wasps
While wasps are often associated with summer, they can appear in Spring and Autumn, depending on the weather. Wasps like warm temperatures and sweet foods, which makes them a nuisance when out having a picnic or making the most of your garden. However, the real problem comes if wasps build nests on your property.
These nests mean there will be a large wasp presence, which could lead to painful stings and distress. Mission Pest Control offers fast wasp nest treatment to remove wasp nests from Swindon properties and protect residents and visitors from these irritating insects.
Pigeons
Pigeons are a growing concern throughout Swindon, and increasingly large swarms of pigeons are causing issues throughout the town. Pigeons are often drawn to food that’s left on the ground, which can attract other pests, such as rodents. Additionally, pigeons carry insect pests, such as bird mites, fleas and ticks, and their droppings spread bacteria to humans and pets.
Pigeons and other nuisance birds like to roost, land and nest on top of commercial roofs and on balconies, and are legally protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, meaning they cannot be harmed or killed, or have their nests removed or disturbed without a license. Thankfully, bird control can prevent birds from gaining access to your space and reduce the chances of a pigeon problem.
How To Deal With A Pest Problem At Your Swindon Property
If you notice signs of pest activity, then you need to be proactive. Pests can spread diseases and bacteria, as well as causing significant property damage. For businesses, a pest infestation could significantly damage your reputation and even cause a site shutdown from local authorities or regulatory bodies to protect public health.
Thankfully, Mission Pest Control offers domestic and commercial pest control services throughout Swindon and the surrounding area. While the local council does offer some pest control services, these are limited and come at a cost, and they don’t cover all pests, as we explain in our guide: How Much Does The Council Charge For Pest Control?
Our team can treat all common pests found in the area, and also offer wildlife management to deal with squirrels, moles and deer.
Additionally, we can provide specialist services, such as loft clearances to clear away debris following a pest problem in your loft space and heat treatment for thorough removal of insects.
Whatever your Swindon pest problem, Mission Pest Control is here for you, so contact us on 01793 379333 or by emailing hello@missionpestcontrol.co.uk to book your pest treatment.