Insect Information

Insects account for around 90% of every species on our planet: you’re never far away from the nearest bug! They’ve got a bit of a bad reputation – admittedly, they’re not as nice as many other animals – but without them, our ecosystem would be a very different place. 

In the UK alone, there are around 27,000 different insect species, and they’ve all got a role to play. Some help to suppress certain pests. Others pollinate crops and flowers. Certain insects work to decompose organic material, which adds extra nutrients to the soil and keeps our environment clean. 

Insects are also an important food source for birds and other animals: without their existence, other species could well die out. 

There are plenty of benefits to a thriving insect population…but it’s also important that they’re thriving in the right places. When they make their way into residential and commercial properties, they can quickly turn from pollinators to pests.

Some insect species enter homes and businesses to nest. Others are drawn in by easy access to foodstuffs – or even clothes and soft furnishings. Some, like fleas and ticks, are carried by other animals or people, while others love to destroy furniture and even the structure of your property. 

Insect pests can cause distress, damage and disease. With this insect information guide, you’ll be able to identify which insects are causing the problems, the impact they can have and the best insect pest control solutions for your needs.

Of the thousands of different types of insects in the UK, you’ll be relieved to know that just a small number are considered to be pests. The most common culprits that you’ll find in UK homes and businesses are: 

• Ants: Ants can nest within the structure of your building and their colonies can quickly reach the thousands. They enter buildings in search of food and shelter, and can quickly contaminate foodstuffs.

• Bedbugs: Bedbugs are after food – and that food is you. They can live for months without a meal of blood, which can make them even trickier to get rid of.

• Bees: Bee swarms and nests can be distressing – and hard to tackle. Professional help is needed as bees should be rehomed, not killed.

• Cockroaches: Cockroaches can be found all over the planet, and they love dark, damp places where humans are unlikely to disturb them: places like under appliances, or beneath your kitchen sink. 

• Dust mites: These pests are invisible to the naked eye and feed on dead human skin cells. They love warm, moist places and can cause allergic reactions. 

• Fleas: Normally hitching a ride in on a pet, fleas feed off both human and animal blood. Their bites itch, they can cause infection, and they can rapidly take over your soft furnishings.

• Flies: Flies feed on rotting food, faeces…whatever they can find. Any pathogens they pick up can quickly be spread when they land on surfaces within your property, so it’s important to keep their numbers down.

• Moths: Check your wardrobes regularly: clothes moths feed on the fibres of your clothing, causing huge amounts of damage.

• Silverfish: While silverfish aren’t dangerous to humans, they love eating starchy materials. This means that things like wallpaper, books, clothes, paperwork and photographs are all at risk of damage.

• Wasps: Wasps themselves are pest controllers and pollinators…but they love to nest in roof eaves, wall cavities and attics. They may not always bother you, but can seek out food sources and have a painful sting. 

When you’re armed with the right information about insects, you’ll be better placed to understand exactly what impact they can have on you, your health and your property. Different insect pests will cause chaos in all sorts of different ways, such as: 

• Damage to the structure of your property. Woodworms and ants can damage your property’s structural integrity. Moths and carpet beetles can eat away at carpets, while silverfish can damage your wallpaper. Bee and wasp nests can also cause significant damage to your eaves, roof or attic. 
• Damage to your belongings. The same insects that can cause damage to your property can also destroy belongings such as furniture, clothing, paperwork and more – which can be expensive to replace. 
• Spreading disease. The worst culprits for spreading disease are flies. Salmonella, E. coli and campylobacter are among the human diseases they can spread – leading to food poisoning and, in more serious cases, even things like kidney failure. Insect bites – like flea bites – can also cause infection in some cases.

• Food spoilage. This is a particular problem in both residential properties and food businesses. Moths, beetles, weevils and mites can burrow their way into all sorts of stored food, contaminating potentially huge quantities of food that will need to be binned. Flies can spread disease by landing on food (and also lay their eggs there, too), while bees and wasps will also seek out any sweet, sticky substances you’ve left out. 
• Emotional distress. While it’s not damage in the traditional sense, the emotional distress that an insect infestation can cause shouldn’t be underestimated. Insects can be incredibly hard to get rid of once they’ve taken over your property, causing a lot of stress and upset for those involved.

All of these different types of damage explain why effective insect pest control is so important. 

If you’re wanting to get rid of insects, the information you need will include effective insect pest control methods. The methods you choose will depend on the type of pest and the extent of the problem – and by choosing eco-friendly insect pest control methods, you’ll ensure that your solution is safe for pets, humans, and the environment. 

These include:

• Wasp nest treatments
• Bee relocation services
• Insect monitoring systems
• Bait traps
• Pheromone monitoring pads
• Wet treatments, dry treatments and gels

For more comprehensive information about insects, visit the following pages: 

Our Insects Pest Control page tells you everything you need to know about professional treatment and proofing.

Our Bee & Wasp Pest Control page explains the differences between dealing with both insect types.

Both pages explain what you can expect when you call out a professional insect pest control company – and the solutions that will banish your insect problem and give you total peace of mind.