Commercial Pest Control London
Commercial Pest Control London
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Pest Types
All information in this section of our website is taken from the Pest Fact Sheets which are published on the Harrow County Council website. We would like to thank the Harrow County Council Web Team for their kind permission allowing us to reproduce these fact sheets.
All information in this section of our website is taken from the Pest Fact Sheets which are published on the Harrow County Council website. We would like to thank the Harrow County Council Web Team for their kind permission allowing us to reproduce these fact sheets.
Booklice
These insects are not related in any way to the head louse. Most book lice species are found in natural habitats such as animal nests, tree trunk crevices, under bark and on leaves. However, they may well invade domestic houses and food premises if damp conditions exist. They will infest materials of plant and animal origin including stored food, plaster, leather, woodwork and also books.
Life Cycle
The female Psocids of some species can reproduce with or without fertilisation. During her life time, the female will lay over 200 eggs. They are usually laid separately at a rate of 1-3 per day and because they are sticky they become readily covered with food rubbish and debris and blend in with the background.
The eggs usually hatch in about 1-2 weeks with the emerging nymph closely resembling the adult. Some 15 days and 3-8 moults later, the creature reaches maturity.
Life Cycle
The female Psocids of some species can reproduce with or without fertilisation. During her life time, the female will lay over 200 eggs. They are usually laid separately at a rate of 1-3 per day and because they are sticky they become readily covered with food rubbish and debris and blend in with the background.
The eggs usually hatch in about 1-2 weeks with the emerging nymph closely resembling the adult. Some 15 days and 3-8 moults later, the creature reaches maturity.
The correct temperature (room temperature) and the quality of diet have great influence on the speed at which the Psocid develops but the life cycle is usually completed within one month and the adults will survive for as long as 6 months. Their small size (about 1mm long) and flattened body means that they are well adapted to living in small cracks and crevices. However, because they possess a soft body, they are susceptible to drying out and rely on a high relative humidity to survive.
Habits
Psocids are very shy creatures and will run around actively when disturbed. They live on fungi and moulds and are often found in new houses where the plaster work has not yet dried out. In older houses, they will infest areas with bad damp and will eat mildew and moulds scarcely visible to the human eye. Paper, wickerwork and various food materials will also be attacked if damp conditions prevail. Note that Psocids often eat the mould only and do not often attack the material on which it grows. Psocids rarely cause damage directly by feeding and are virtually harmless in small numbers. Large infestations however, can cause some damage to very delicate books and furs. The insects will infest raw or processed food which invariably has to be destroyed, which is time consuming and wasteful. Finished products or their packaging may be infested in retail premises and homes. Although harmless to man, these insects are often confused with true lice and therefore regarded with alarm.
Control
- Always keep your dry foodstuffs, cereals and the like, in a dry, well ventilated place. Once packets have been opened, dry foods should be emptied into a clean container which can be effectively sealed with a proper air-tight lid. Always completely finish the stock and clean the container before refilling - never just top it up.
- Clean out the dust and crumbs etc. then make sure the cupboard is completely dry. Having done this, find the cause of the humidity and cure it, ie rising damp, bad ventilation, excessive moisture production.
- If you wash your cupboards out regularly, always make sure that they are completely dry before you put the food back.
- When you are cooking or boiling the kettle or even just using the washing machine or tumble drier, make sure that the kitchen is well ventilated.
- If you get an infestation, remove the affected food immediately and dispose of it in the refuse bin.
Although these insects primarily attack mould and damp food, if allowed to multiply to large numbers, they will infest open food getting through the tiniest hole in the packaging. Food in cans or bottles will still be alright but make sure that there are no insects hiding under the labels. Treat the infected area with a good household insecticide which is suitable for surfaces which may come into contact with food. Always read the label of an insecticide before deciding to buy it - and follow the safety precautions during use because some are flammable, hazardous to pets (especially fish) or harmful if breathed in.
If you are unable to deal with a common pest problem satisfactorily, then contact Commercial Pest Control London. Our rates are competitive and we will get the job done fast and efficiently. For a professional service call Commercial Pest Control London today on freephone 0800 043 2056
Habits
Psocids are very shy creatures and will run around actively when disturbed. They live on fungi and moulds and are often found in new houses where the plaster work has not yet dried out. In older houses, they will infest areas with bad damp and will eat mildew and moulds scarcely visible to the human eye. Paper, wickerwork and various food materials will also be attacked if damp conditions prevail. Note that Psocids often eat the mould only and do not often attack the material on which it grows. Psocids rarely cause damage directly by feeding and are virtually harmless in small numbers. Large infestations however, can cause some damage to very delicate books and furs. The insects will infest raw or processed food which invariably has to be destroyed, which is time consuming and wasteful. Finished products or their packaging may be infested in retail premises and homes. Although harmless to man, these insects are often confused with true lice and therefore regarded with alarm.
Control
- Always keep your dry foodstuffs, cereals and the like, in a dry, well ventilated place. Once packets have been opened, dry foods should be emptied into a clean container which can be effectively sealed with a proper air-tight lid. Always completely finish the stock and clean the container before refilling - never just top it up.
- Clean out the dust and crumbs etc. then make sure the cupboard is completely dry. Having done this, find the cause of the humidity and cure it, ie rising damp, bad ventilation, excessive moisture production.
- If you wash your cupboards out regularly, always make sure that they are completely dry before you put the food back.
- When you are cooking or boiling the kettle or even just using the washing machine or tumble drier, make sure that the kitchen is well ventilated.
- If you get an infestation, remove the affected food immediately and dispose of it in the refuse bin.
Although these insects primarily attack mould and damp food, if allowed to multiply to large numbers, they will infest open food getting through the tiniest hole in the packaging. Food in cans or bottles will still be alright but make sure that there are no insects hiding under the labels. Treat the infected area with a good household insecticide which is suitable for surfaces which may come into contact with food. Always read the label of an insecticide before deciding to buy it - and follow the safety precautions during use because some are flammable, hazardous to pets (especially fish) or harmful if breathed in.
If you are unable to deal with a common pest problem satisfactorily, then contact Commercial Pest Control London. Our rates are competitive and we will get the job done fast and efficiently. For a professional service call Commercial Pest Control London today on freephone 0800 043 2056
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