If you’re a homeowner, landlord, or business owner, you know that pest problems can happen in any property. Pests cause damage, health risks, stress and can damage a business’s reputation.
You might be reactive when it comes to pest control – you see a pest and deal with it, but proactive pest prevention is just as important as being reactive. Especially in commercial properties.
Landlords must ensure properties are pest-free at the start of tenancies and respond promptly to infestations.
Pests can threaten human health, safety, and property. There is also a legal responsibility to ensure pests are dealt with.
Many pests spread diseases - for example, rodents carry leptospirosis, cockroaches spread bacteria - or cause allergies. Pests can also cause costly damage by gnawing wires, contaminating food, or weakening structures.
Note: UK law requires property owners to address pest issues under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949. Food businesses must also comply with the Food Safety Act 1990 to remain pest-free.
The UK is home to a range of pests. Most like to be left alone and will hide away, perhaps only coming out at night or when it’s quiet because as you might imagine, pests want to live undisturbed. That’s why the full extent of an infestation can be hard to understand without professional experience.
Bed bugs are small, oval, and brown, measuring around 4–5 mm. They hide in bed frames, mattresses, and headboards. Signs of an infestation include itchy red bites, blood spots on sheets, dark specks of droppings, shed skins, and a sweet, musty smell lingering in bedrooms.
Black garden ants are about 3–5 mm long, dark brown to black in colour. They often enter properties searching for food. Look for visible trails of ants, small soil mounds near cracks in pavement or patios, and swarms of flying ants during summer.
Most commonly wasps are bright yellow with black stripes and measure about 1–1.5 cm. They build paper-like nests in roof spaces, sheds, and trees. Signs include a visible nest, loud buzzing noises, and wasps flying in and out of holes in the property.
Honeybees are around 1.2–1.5 cm and golden-brown. Solitary bees like masonry bees are around 0.8–1.2 cm and brownish. Honeybees form large colonies, while solitary bees often nest in walls. Signs include swarming bees outside, buzzing near rooflines, fine dust near brickwork, and bees using small wall cavities. Honey from honeybee nests can drip through ceiling fixtures. Also read: The difference between bees, wasps and hornets
Fleas are tiny, brown-black, jumping insects, around 2–3 mm in length. They infest pets and soft furnishings. Signs include itchy bites (especially on ankles), pets scratching excessively, flea dirt (black specks), and tiny fleas spotted in carpets or bedding.
Clothes moths are small, golden-beige insects, around 6–8 mm long. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas. Look for small holes in clothing or upholstery, silky webbing cases, tiny white larvae, and moths fluttering when disturbed.
Silverfish are slender, silver-grey insects, around 1–2 cm, that move with a fish-like wriggle. They thrive in damp environments. Signs include damage to wallpaper, books, cardboard, yellow staining, and sightings at night, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens.
Carpet beetles are tiny, patterned beetles around 2–4 mm, often black, white, and yellow. Their larvae, known as woolly bears, can cause serious damage. Signs include holes in natural fabrics, shed larval skins, and sightings of small, fast-moving beetles.
Cockroaches in the UK are usually German cockroaches, which are light brown and around 1–1.5 cm or Oriental cockroaches, which are dark brown-black and 2–3 cm. They hide in warm, damp areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and boiler rooms. Signs include live or dead cockroaches, droppings that look like black pepper, shed skins, an unpleasant musty smell, and smear marks along walls or surfaces.
Cluster flies are small, dark flies, around 6–10 mm long, that gather in large groups. They often invade lofts and attics during autumn to overwinter. Signs include sluggish flies on windowsills, buzzing noises, and large groups gathering in warm, upper areas of buildings.
Woodworm is the larval stage of several types of beetles. They bore into wood, leaving behind tiny exit holes. Signs include fine powdery dust (frass), weakened timber structures, and adult beetles emerging in spring and summer.
Pigeons are grey birds with distinctive iridescent neck feathers. They roost on roofs, ledges, and in loft spaces. Signs include heavy droppings, which can corrode buildings and are harmful to health, feathers, nesting materials, and loud cooing noises.
Moles are burrowing mammals around 15 cm long, with velvety dark fur and strong forelimbs. They live underground and rarely surface. Signs include fresh molehills on lawns and raised soil ridges disrupting gardens or fields.
Grey squirrels are invasive in the UK, around 25–30 cm long with bushy tails. They often enter roof spaces to nest. Signs include daytime scurrying noises in lofts, gnaw marks on wood and wires, shredded insulation, and foul-smelling droppings.
Rats, particularly brown rats, are common urban pests. They are about 20–25 cm long excluding the tail, with brown-grey fur. Signs of rats include gnawed materials, greasy smear marks along walls, droppings (about 1–2 cm long), scratching noises, and burrows in gardens or near foundations.
When faced with pests, your first instinct might be to tackle it yourself and use an over-the-counter treatment method. In some cases, that works. In others, professional help is the safer, more effective choice.
DIY pest control can be effective for small, contained problems. You can buy traps, sprays, powders, and remedies from hardware stores or online. These treatments are suitable when the situation is simple and you have direct access to the source.
Many people successfully use ant bait, mouse traps, DIY sprays, or moth repellents when infestations are caught early. However, even basic DIY treatments require careful handling. Always follow product labels closely and wear protective gear if needed. Tip: Don’t attempt to spray a bee or wasp nest using a shop-bought spray. The spray likely won’t penetrate deep enough to treat the nest, and you could trigger a defensive reaction from the swarm and will still be left with the nest.
Even when DIY seems cheaper, it can cost more if you need repeated treatments, or if a single pest sighting actually hides a larger problem. In one extreme case a woman in Detroit burned down an entire apartment block trying DIY methods to eradicate bed bugs.
When pests are widespread, hazardous, or persistent, professional pest control is the quicker and safer choice. Professional pest controllers use effective, regulated treatments that are unavailable over the counter. They are also trained to assess the full extent of infestations — not just what you can see.
Professionals are also equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) and are trained to work safely in dangerous conditions, such as attics, rooflines, or contaminated areas.
Professional pest controllers have access to stronger, regulated insecticides that aren’t available to the general public and complete specific training to use them. Pest controllers may also employ other methods, such as trapping, depending on the circumstances and the pest involved. They will also be trained in the most up to date pest control methods.
Most professional insecticides are classified under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (COPR) and must be used carefully according to safety guidelines.
In the UK, professional pest controllers must hold or work toward industry-recognised certifications, including:
Reputable pest control companies also carry public liability insurance.
Preventing pests is far easier than dealing with a full-blown infestation. A few simple habits can protect your home or business and save you time, money, and stress.
Start by sealing obvious entry points. Pests can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps. Block any holes in walls, floors, or foundations. Fit door sweeps to all external doors to stop crawling insects and rodents. Cover vents, chimneys, and drains with fine mesh, and repair any damaged roofing or cladding promptly to eliminate easy access.
Maintaining good hygiene is another crucial step.
Where possible, store all food securely in sealed containers, including pet food. Wipe down kitchen surfaces daily to remove crumbs and spills that might attract pests. Empty bins regularly and keep lids tightly closed to reduce smells. Cleaning under kitchen appliances is also important, as food debris can collect in hidden places.
Decluttering makes a major difference, too. Lofts, garages, and basements often become breeding grounds because of piled-up clutter. Keep these spaces organised and off the floor where possible.
Swap out cardboard boxes for durable plastic containers. Dispose of unwanted furniture, old fabrics, and stacks of newspapers, all of which can shelter pests like moths, rodents, and cockroaches.
Controlling moisture is key to making your property less appealing. Many insects, including silverfish and cockroaches, thrive in damp conditions. Repair leaking pipes, taps, and roofing as soon as problems are spotted.
Ensure there is proper ventilation throughout the building to prevent condensation. Keeping gutters clear and directing rainwater away from the building’s foundations will also help keep internal spaces dry.
Tip: Regular monitoring helps you catch problems early. Inspect vulnerable areas like kitchens, lofts, basements, and storage spaces on a routine basis. Look out for telltale signs such as droppings, gnaw marks, nests, and unusual smells. Spotting the early signs allows you to act quickly and avoid a much bigger, costlier infestation later.
Pest problems often follow the seasons.
In the UK in spring, ants, wasps, and bees become more active as temperatures rise. Early summer brings swarming ants and increasing wasp nest activity. Fleas, moths, and flies also peak during the warmer months.
In autumn, rodents like rats and mice start seeking shelter indoors as the weather cools. Cluster flies move into lofts and roof spaces to hibernate. During winter, indoor pests like cockroaches, silverfish, and bed bugs can become more noticeable as homes stay heated. Squirrels are also more likely to invade loft spaces in colder months.
Read more on seasonal pest activity.
Pests are a year-round challenge for homeowners, landlords, and businesses.
From insects like bed bugs and wasps to rodents like rats and squirrels, every property faces unique risks. Understanding the signs of infestation, knowing when to act, and choosing between DIY and professional pest control are important in protecting your property and meeting your legal responsibilities.
Prevention is always the best approach.
Seal entry points, maintain good hygiene and manage moisture – you’ll reduce the chance of serious problems. However, when infestations do happen, act quickly. Professionals bring the expertise, tools, and certifications needed to tackle complex or hazardous situations safely and legally.
For expert assistance, call 0330 108 4111 today.