One of the downsides of a heat wave are the flies and flying insects that suddenly appear.
There are vast numbers of different species of fly - each one having its own distinct life cycle and home. At the moment it’s fruit flies, sometimes called vinegar flies, that are in abundance. They thrive on the fruit and vegetable remains in compost bins that, on a hot summer’s day, start to break down into a semi-liquid soup. The tiny yellowish brown flies with bright red eyes will appear almost overnight and great clouds of them can erupt from unsealed compost bins.
Cleankill Pest Control's Managing Director Paul Bates said: “There are lots of things people can do to prevent an invasion, such as making sure the lid on the compost bin is tight fitting and avoiding leaving over-ripe fruit in the kitchen. Also, make sure sweet food like raisins are stored away carefully.”
Pest controllers are now starting to receive calls about wasps, as nests reach maximum size and the queens start to lay her eggs. The worker wasps can be seen out and about foraging for savoury food and stripping wood for nest building.
Paul Bates advises people to be extra vigilant and check around the outsides of their houses and sheds for wasps entering through gaps.
He explained: “It’s best to get the problem sorted out now before the wasps start to take the enjoyment out of the summer barbecues people are planning. Earlier in the year when nests are golf ball size, it’s not too dangerous to tackle the nests yourself with the right equipment. But in mid July it’s much better to call in a professional pest controller as the nests will be quite large - and a swarm of wasps can be very dangerous or even fatal for those with allergies.”
Cleankill started in 1995 and is a specialist provider of pest control services to retail, commercial and industrial properties throughout the UK. The company deals with ‘distress’ pests such as wasps and fleas, as well as preventative maintenance against public health pests such as mice and rats. Cleankill can also clear and proof buildings against pest birds. The company prides itself on fast and efficient service delivery and aims to be recognised as a market leader for innovation and new pest control techniques.