What pests can you find in the garden

Gardeners are usually concerned about the pests that attack their plants, but autumn’s the season when other pests can also become troublesome in our homes and gardens.

Rats and mice

Rats and mice are the worst autumn invaders. As the weather gets colder, they start looking for food and shelter. They’re after cosy places where they can make nests and ride out the winter. And, while rodents can cause minor damage in city and suburban households, in country areas they can create havoc with stored crops.

Look at our range of rodent controls, which contain formulations to suit a variety of situations, including traps and baits.

Fleas

Female adult fleas must have a feed of blood before they lay their eggs, which is why they’re always busy biting and making life a scratching misery for pets and other host animals. Active adult fleas on pets can be treated with suitable registered controls, but the pupal stage of larval fleas can remain dormant in the soil for months. Then, when stirred into activity by the movement of a passing animal, the fleas leap up and attach themselves to its fur. Hence, as well as cleaning carpets and indoor floors to remove fleas, it’s important to treat the outdoor areas that pets favour.

Blitzem! Ant, Flea Tick Killer helps control dormant fleas. The granules are based on a synthetic pyrethroid (man-made pyrethrum) that provides a low toxic flea solution. The granules will create a rain resistant, flea-killing layer in the soil or leaf litter.

Wasps

Native wasps are important natural predators in the garden that can occasionally become problems when they nest beneath outdoor furniture or close to the house. However, German wasps (Vespula germanica) and Common wasps (Vespula vulgaris) are considered pests and can be quite dangerous. Blitzem! Wasp Killer Nest Destroyer Aerosol Spray can help control wasps from a comfortable distance.