Six Pests You’re More Likely To See This Autumn

As summer and memories of heatwaves begin to fade, we move into darker mornings and evenings, cooler temperatures and the cosy feeling of autumn. However, with this changing of seasons comes the emergence of specific pests in your home and garden.

While these pests are often present year-round, we thought we’d list the six pests you’re most likely to see and give a little bit of background as to why you see them in greater numbers at this time of year. Armed with this information, you can be better prepared to fend off unwelcome visitors — or at least get less of a shock when you do discover them!

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are always unpleasant to find, and while you can discover them in your home at any time, there is a reason we’ve included them in our six. As we move from summer to autumn, many people will have arrived back from their holiday, which is where you’re often likely to carry this nuisance pest from.

They will slowly develop in your soft furnishings, with common signs being skin bites and droppings. Once they’ve made themselves at home, it can be hard to get rid of bed bugs, which is why we offer a specific bed bug pest control service here at Pest Defence.

Wasps

If you thought you’d seen the last of wasps buzzing around your drinks glass, then think again. While summer is a peak period for them, the early part of autumn is probably when you’re likely to see them in, possibly, even greater numbers. This is purely down to maths, with all nests being fully active by this point, along with the fact that food will be in plentiful supply for them in the form of ripened fruit.

This ripe fruit can also make them more aggressive, meaning you’re more likely to notice them. It may not always be necessary to remove a wasp nest, since they are a part of your local ecosystem. Only if they pose a danger close to your home or business should you look to professionals for careful and considered wasp removal.

Squirrels

As you probably already know, as the colder months approach, animals like squirrels start to look for places to nest and hibernate. This means that in autumn, instead of seeing them scurrying in your garden, you’re more likely to find them in your loft space. 

You can take a number of steps to try and prevent this from happening, but if you do find yourself faced with unwanted guests and need squirrel removal for your property, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Rats & Mice

At this time of the year, there aren’t actually any greater numbers of mice and rats. The reason you’re more likely to see them in autumn, however, is for the same reason you see many pests in your home – they’re seeking shelter. Food and warmth are particularly attractive to them, so it’s useful to look out for signs of rodents in your property.

If you see any of the obvious signs and need help dealing with rats and mice at your home or business, call our experienced team today.

Cluster Flies

As their name suggests, the cluster fly doesn’t often appear without a general swarm in numbers. While you’ll often find them outdoors in summer, autumn will force them to seek cool, dry spaces inside your home. This means that many people notice clusters around window frames or up in loft spaces. 

The best measures for dealing with any flies are preventative ones. Whether you need help preventing future fly problems or dealing with a current infestation, we have dedicated services to help you tackle the issue.

Spiders

Spiders in the UK are largely harmless and can be spotted in your home at any time of the year, but the increase in autumn is due to many of them seeking light and warmth in your home. The influx in their numbers can be alarming if you have a phobia, but they could actually help in dealing with any flies (as per our previous entry) at this time of the year. 

Short of sealing off every tiny gap, crevice and vent, there isn’t really a way to stop spiders, nor do they pose much of a threat. You can identify different spider types using our recent post on the topic.

For all your pest control requirements this autumn, look no further than our expert team here at Pest Defence. We help homeowners and businesses alike to protect their property from common pests in London and Essex, including in and around Colchester, Chelmsford and Brentwood. Contact us today for more details or to tell us about the specific pest problem you’re experiencing.