Beetles & Weevils, Silverfish, Mites & Spiders

Beetle and Weevil Control

Beetles and weevils are a widespread problem. If they have taken up residence in a domestic or commercial property, they may cause damage to the premises, depending on the species and their feeding habits.

The two species are then further divided into a set of subspecies which highlights how vast and abundant these insects are. Beetles and weevils associated with a premises may be found feeding on or in materials such as fabrics or wood, and food storage areas.

Beetles and weevils are not known to carry or transmit diseases. However, the possibility exists that if they were to come into contact with unsanitary environments, they could contaminate surfaces or foodstuffs with themselves or their eggs.

Depending on the subspecies, the female is capable of laying a substantial amount of eggs. By the time the eggs are laid, the physical and financial damage may be extensive due to their rate of consumption. For this reason, infestations should be dealt with by professionals as soon as they are detected or suspected.

Personal Preventative Measures

The prevention of a beetle or weevil infestation can be quite tricky due to different species being attracted to different materials stored grains, packaged foods, plants, woods, or fabrics).

While it may be difficult to detect and deal with beetle and weevil infestations, specific preventative measures can be carried out to prevent or control their presence. Some of these steps include:

  • Depending on whether your floors are carpeted or wooden, regularly vacuum or sweep the premises, especially in areas under radiators or at the skirting junctions while moving furniture, removing them physically.
  • Ensure surfaces are clean and that foodstuffs are contained, maintaining proper hygiene within your kitchen and food storage areas.
  • Remove old materials (like old carpets and rugs, curtains and clothing, old paperwork, rotten wood) as they are potential food sources. If they cannot be discarded, keep them contained or well wrapped.
  • Having the gaps, crevices and holes filled in and around the premises (between wooden flooring, skirting boards, radiator pipes, etc.) may prevent beetles and weevils accessing and harbouring.

Silverfish Control

Silverfish are insects commonly found in kitchens, basements, bathrooms, pantries, and any other dark, humid, damp areas. They are not parasites, nor do they spread disease, although they are capable of physically contaminating foodstuffs and damaging food packaging, paperwork, fabrics and binding pastes.

Silverfish are often unknowingly brought into premises by occupants via storage boxes previously kept in an infested area. They are also capable of gaining access to properties via foundation cracks and gaps.

The reproductive numbers of silverfish can rapidly reach an uncontrollable amount, ultimately resulting in severe damage within a household/office to possessions & materials resulting in financial loss.

Personal Preventative Measures

Silverfish removal may appear challenging due to not understanding their behaviour or how they came to be in your property at all. There are several preventative measures exist that can help prevent or reduce their activity, including:

  • Keeping dried foods sealed (cereals, pasta, rice, flour, etc.) in plastic or glass airtight containers will reduce the presence and risk of contamination.
  • Ensure to reduce humidity providing adequate ventilation as silverfish thrive in moist, humid environments:
    • Use a dehumidifier in damp basements.
    • Seal up leaking pipes.
    • Make sure the bathroom is well ventilated.
  • Ensure paper clutter is cleared, preventing them from hiding amongst and consuming papers, magazines, and books. If these are to be kept, be sure to keep them in the correct temperatures.
  • Try to repair and maintain any interior/exterior cracks or crevices where the grout or binding no longer exists preventing points of access.

Finally, the best course of action to take would be to contact Steel Guard Pest Control for an in-depth survey and the implementation of a preventative or reactive programme.

Mite Control

Mites are indirect kin to spiders and can be found in a vast number of environments throughout the UK, making them extremely common. While there are many species of mites, all of which have specific appetites, the four types most commonly found in a property are house dust mites, mould mites, flour mites, and bird mites.

They are extremely small, only visible to the naked eye while amongst each other. They tend to reside in warm, humid locations such as birds nests, bedding, carpets, and upholstery. However, depending on the species, they may also be found in kitchen areas, including pantries and food storage cupboards. Mites are not known for causing damage to structures or materials, but most certainly will exploit them by using crevices to harbour, breed, and as a food source.

Besides biting humans and animals, mites are capable of triggering allergic reactions to allergy sufferers. They can reproduce in the thousands, which makes them a considerable threat to occupants making their eradication extremely urgent.

Personal Preventative Measures

Preventing a mite infestation can be extremely difficult due to their minuscule size and nature to mass assemble, resulting in sections of the group separating to gather in multiple locations within the immediate surroundings.

Self prevention may also be difficult if the circumstances of the infestation cannot be identified. That said, there still are some preventative measures that can be carried out by occupants to prevent or reduce their activity if not get rid of them before or while a mite treatment is in progress which are listed below:

  • Ensure to vacuum floors, rugs, or carpet with a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter, and that is leakage free.
  • Try to wipe down stationary objects often using a damp duster or cloth to prevent stirring up waste and allergens.
  • Keep personal fabrics washed regularly using an allergy-friendly laundry detergent such as allergen wash.
  • Lower room humidity to create an environment that makes it difficult for dust mites to thrive. Use a dehumidifier to keep the humidity level in your home at 50% or below.
  • Remove clutter and reduce the build-up of dust to prevent the harbourage of mites.
  • Keep flour content foods in airtight containers preventing contamination and the infestation spreading.
  • In damp conditions, remove mould from non-porous surfaces with mould removing chemical formulations.
  • An inspection should be carried out externally and in the loft space for bird activity or bird’s nests as an infestation may be related.
  • Anti-Itch creams or lotions may reduce or relieve bites, inflammation, itching, and irritation is to apply relief creams containing Mepyramine Maleate or Hydrocortisone Acetate.

Spider Control

Spiders are a common pest within a household and have been living amongst us for centuries. House spiders prey on insects and other small creatures, making them a natural defence against other household insect pests that may cause damage or spread disease.

There are other rare species of spiders that contain lethal doses of venom which have managed to migrate from other countries finding their way into UK properties posing a potential threat. All spiders are capable of biting, though the majority of house spiders will not bite humans, and even if they do, their venom is not strong enough to cause severe harm.

While not all species of spiders can harm humans, all spiders can cause distress to people with phobias. Those who do not have arachnophobia may consider spiders to be more of a general nuisance, as their egg-sacs can release a considerable amount of spiders, causing premises to become overrun by an infestation.

Personal Preventative Measures

Due to their cryptic behaviour, preventing an internal or external spider infestation can be extremely difficult, especially considering their size and ability which enables them to gain access through cracks and crevices or exploit weathered/worn materials.

Despite this challenge, there are still several preventative measures that may prevent or reduce their presence. These preventative measures include: 

  • It would benefit occupants to keep a tidy house, as clean homes give spiders fewer places to hide in, making them less likely to stay:
    • Do not leave leftover food lying around, as food crumbs will attract other pests, which will ultimately attract spiders.
    • Regularly sweep/vacuum floors and wall surfaces, physically removing any spiders, eggs, or webs.
    • Removing clutter (old newspapers, piles of dirty clothes, etc.) reduces hiding places.
    • Using airtight storage containers will also make it difficult for spiders to crawl into, denying them the harbourage to breed.
  • Remove/transplant vegetation away from the perimeter of your house to the opposite side of the yard, as plants serve as suitable hiding spots.
  • An old wives tale says that spaying an equal mix of vinegar and water onto spiders is thought to burn and kill them due to the chemical compounds in vinegar.

In addition to the above, the best course of action to take would be to call us and schedule a survey or reactive plan if you suspect a spider infestation. 

Beetles & Weevils, Silverfish, Mites & Spiders (Other Insects)

At Steel Guard Pest Control, we are experts in all areas of Beetles & Weevils, Silverfish, Mites & Spiders (Other Insects) control, property inspection, pesticide treatments, and prevention methods and techniques, while also providing useful, informed advice and recommendations. We aim to resolve infestations as swiftly and efficiently as possible and to help prevent any future outbreaks from occurring.