Other Insects
- Spiders
- Earwigs
- Beetles
- Slugs & Snails
- Silverfish
- Centipedes
- Woodlice
Unidentified Insects
The Local Authority does not normally undertake pest control treatment for the insect species listed below:
Silverfish
They are silver grey and up to 20mm in length with three bristly tails. They are usually found in bathrooms and kitchens, hiding by day in crevices, behind files, wallpaper, skirting boards and bath panels.
They often feed on protein - rich gums and binding pastes and fine textiles and leather. They may also invade packets of dried foods, stored in damp cupboards.
Silverfish are seldom more than a nuisance although they may, on occasion, reach unacceptable numbers. They are capable of damage by chewing papers and manuscripts.
They can be dealt with by spraying with a crawling insect aerosol. A particular effort should be made to treat any cracks and crevices where silverfish may rest during the day.
Spiders
Spiders are considered unpleasant by some people. But the ones that are indigenous to Britain are all harmless and are not considered a pest.
The species most likely to be seen is the common house spider. This is one of the largest spiders found in Europe. The body alone may be as much as 1 cm long and the long legs can give a span of 5-6cm.
This spider can be found in all sorts of places where there is sufficient humidity, such as bathrooms and outhouses. It also occurs under the eaves of houses and in stone walls.
Spiders feed on insects, and by doing so play an extremely important part in keeping the population of certain insects down to a reasonable level.
Physical control of spiders by collection and removal or web destruction should prove sufficient.
Earwigs
They are brown in colour, 12-20mm long with prominent pincers, usually living outside but may venture inside homes during cold weather. Occasionally become a nuisance, however they do not cause any damage, and proofing of entry points should be sufficient means of control.
Woodlice
Slate grey in colour, 15mm long, body made up of flattened overlapping plates, with distinctive large antennae. They live outside , occasionally venturing indoors
during cold weather. They are harmless and will not breed indoors. Control therefore by cleaning and removal.
Slugs & Snails
Both slugs and snails are harmless and will only remain indoors where very damp conditions prevail.
Clearing outside vegetation and debris away from walls and around doors etc, and the use of slug pellets in these areas may provide some relief, but adequate heating and ventilation of buildings is the only long term solution to any problems.
Centipedes
Occasionally coming indoors, they do no harm whatsoever, and thorough cleaning will eliminate them.
Garden Beetles
They are 10-12mm long with shiny black body often with a metallic sheen (sometimes mistaken for cockroaches). They are harmless, and are indeed beneficial garden insects controlling many garden pests. They do occasionally migrate indoors in numbers in the autumn. Proofing the exterior structure of buildings is usually sufficient to overcome any problems.
Unidentified species
The species above are those we are most commonly asked about.
However, there are large numbers of other insects that occasionally cause people concern, many of which they may not be able to readily identify. Small flying insects, moths, small beetles, flies and little crawlie-things or jumpie-things!
The Local Authority may not be able to treat for these, but if you can obtain a sample, and take it to one of our offices, we will do our best to identify it, and offer any necessary advice and reassurance.
Booking an Appointment
At present the only way to book an appointment for a pest control treatment is by contacting Trafford Direct:
Email: Trafford.Direct@trafford.gov.uk
Customer Services Telephone: 0161 912 2000
Textphone: 0161 912 2102
Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm
Saturday 9.00am - 1.00pmon
If there is a charge for the treatment, payment will normally be collected by the Pest Control Operative on completion of the first visit. If we are coming to treat for fleas or cockroaches we aske that you do some basic pre-visit preparations.
This page was last updated on 28 August 2008
