As seasons change and temperatures drop, you may be looking forward to chucking on your jumpers and whacking up the heating, but before you get too comfortable, there’s one job you need to ASAP: prepare for autumn pests.
‘September is an important transition period for household pests in the UK,’ says Ricky Young, pest control professional at Youngs Pest Control. ‘As temperatures begin to fall and nights become cooler, some pests start looking for warmer, sheltered places,’ he explains – and they might just find it in your home.
Here are the most common – and creepy – pests of the autumn period, according to pest experts, as well as the best ways to protect both yourself and your home.
Wasps
‘Wasps are the most obvious one,’ starts Adam Juson, pest expert and founder of commercial pest control specialists Merlin Environmental. ‘By September, their nests are as big as they’re going to get. The queen has stopped laying, so there are no larvae creating saliva, which is one of the main sugar sources for worker wasps – meaning you’ve got several thousand adult wasps off looking for sugar.’ The upshot? A bunch of hungry, aimless stingers.
How to prevent them:
Adam explains the easiest way to make sure they steer clear of you is to eliminate that sugar source. Fruit, fizzy drinks and other sweet foods are sure to attract the insects, so make sure you’re extra diligent when wiping up spills and crumbs, and empty bins regularly.
‘The best way you can prevent wasps from becoming a problem is to stop them coming into your house,’ explains Adam. ‘That means sealing gaps in eaves, walls and roof spaces in spring. It can also help to keep outdoor food and bins covered, and you can use traps or peppermint oil around your doors and windows in late summer.’
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But his most important piece of advice when dealing with wasps? Don’t be brave – leave any nests to the pros. ‘Wasps release an alarm pheromone when threatened, which triggers the rest of the colony, and each female wasp can sting multiple times, so disturbing anything bigger than a golf ball can be really dangerous.’
Silverfish
Silverfish are also popular in September. ‘Silverfish, flies and clothes moths are also worth watching out for,’ says Ricky. ‘These aren’t necessarily pests that suddenly arrive because September begins, but changes in temperature, moisture and how we use our homes can make existing problems more apparent.’
How to prevent them:
‘Silverfish are often associated with humid areas, so persistent sightings can be a reason to investigate moisture or ventilation problems,’ says Ricky. Reduce humidity with good ventilation or a dehumidifier, fix leaks, seal cracks and ensure gutters direct water away from your home. Store dry goods, pet food and paper items in airtight containers, and declutter old books, magazines and paperwork, which can provide food and shelter.
Asian hornets
A pest I was surprised to hear mentioned by the experts was the Asian hornet, which, according to Adam, could be a real concern. ‘We’ve been seeing more and more of them across the UK and, as they’re an invasive species, it’s more than a household pest issue,’ warns Adam. Asian hornets are back in the headlines because September is their key period for activity, sightings are continuing to spread and the public is being urged to identify and report them quickly due to the harm they pose to honey bees. ‘The government wants you to report any sightings via the free Asian Hornet Watch app, ideally with a photo.’
How to prevent them:
The best way to prevent or prepare for Asian hornets is to know what you're looking for. ‘They’re smaller than the native European hornet, with a mostly dark body, an orange-yellow face and yellow-tipped legs, and an abdomen that’s largely dark with one narrow yellow band, rather than the heavy stripes of a common wasp,’ says Adam.
Adam also warns these pests have a very painful sting and should be left well alone. ‘They’re much more defensive than other species and disturbing the nest can make things a whole lot worse.’ So, be sure to call the pros should you spot anything.
Rodents
‘Rats and mice can become increasingly interested in buildings as we move into autumn, particularly where they can find reliable food, warmth and shelter,’ suggests Ricky. Mouse and rat infestations spike in the winter due to this quest for comfort, so taking a few steps now to prevent their arrival is key. ‘September is a good opportunity to inspect the outside of the property before colder weather arrives. Look around doors, pipework, vents and other potential entry points and deal with unnecessary gaps where appropriate.’
How to prevent them:
‘Mice are particularly good at exploiting very small openings. Gaps around pipes, damaged air bricks, poorly fitting doors and other openings around the exterior of a property can provide potential access,’ says Ricky. He also stresses that gardens shouldn’t be overlooked, too. Overgrown vegetation and natural material clutter offer both food sources, hiding places and even ladders into your home.
‘With rodents, randomly placing poison can also create additional problems if it isn’t used correctly. Rodenticides need to be handled responsibly because of the risks to children, pets and non-target wildlife,’ warns Ricky. So, if you do suspect an infestation may already be underway, call a professional.
Bed bugs
‘Bed bugs are probably the infestation people fear most,’ suggests Adam – and he’s not wrong. Thanks to their amazing spreading abilities, miniscule size and gruesome snack habits, bed bugs are often toted as the pest of nightmares – and they happen to be very popular in September.
‘They peak around now for two reasons: university move-ins and people returning from summer holidays,’ says Adam. Yes, you may well be punished for taking a trip, with some microscopic hitchhikers in your carry-on.
How to prevent them:
‘The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to check your luggage before it goes into your bedroom,’ suggests Adam. ‘Unpack on a hard floor and wash and tumble-dry all travel clothing on a hot cycle, whether it was worn or not.’
Adam also warns against the use of generic bed bug sprays, believing while they may kill some, there will always be survivors that will happily continue spreading around your home.
Spiders
This is easily the pest I’ve had the most questions about from friends, family and colleagues in recent weeks. ‘Spiders also become much more noticeable around this time,’ says Ricky. So, no, you’re not going mad, but nor are you being haunted by arachnids. ‘September is commonly associated with increased sightings of larger house spiders, particularly males moving around, looking for females.’
How to prevent them:
‘You just need to seal gaps around window frames and doors to stop them coming in,’ says Adam. He also suggests regular spraying of diluted peppermint oil on windowsills and skirting boards can help deter them, too, however this is not guaranteed, especially in more dense woodland areas.
Adam also suggests that if you take steps to reduce the number of insects you have indoors, it can also help to stop attracting spiders. ‘Having bright lights near doors and windows pulls in flying insects, which then pull in spiders. Yellow-toned or motion-sensor lighting cuts that,’ he explains.
