PestAware the pest control blog from BPCA

PestAware is a blog for anyone with public health pest control problems or concerns. PestAware is packed with professional advice from leading experts in the pest control industry and is designed to help you tackle your domestic or commercial pest problems.

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07 October 2025

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Pest expert advice on mosquitoes in wake of UKHSA report

National trade body, British Pest Control Association (BPCA), has issued advice to householders after two species of disease-carrying mosquitoes were found in the UK.

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Foxes

Many people are concerned about foxes affected by mange. A scruffy looking fox is not necessarily an ill fox. When moulting in spring, foxes look quite rough, but this does not mean they are mangy. They are typically found in woodland and open countr

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Fruit Flies

A family of very small (about 3mm) flies, some with prominent red eyes, characterised by a slow hovering flight in which the abdomen hangs down. All are associated with rotting fruit and vegetables or fermenting liquids. One species breeds in sour mi

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Fur Beetle

An oval black beetle 4-6mm long with a white spot on each wing case. Grubs are about 6mm long, with a tuft of golden hairs on the end of their bodies. They can often be detected by their cast-off skins as they moult. Grubs feed on fur, hair, skins, f

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Furniture Beetles

A small brown beetle, 2.5-5mm long, that is the adult form of woodworm. Emerges from infested wood between May and September, especially in June and July, leaving round exit holes 1-2mm in diameter.

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Gnats

The insect normally referred to as a gnat is actually a small mosquito - correct name: Culex pipiens. It is common in gardens on warm evenings. Another species, the true Window Gnat, is a slow-flying insect about 8mm long with wings more rounded than

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Green Bottles

Large buzzing flies about 9mm long with a characteristic bottle-green sheen on the back. Mostly carrion feeders that enter houses to seek places to hibernate and, in passing, may well alight on exposed foodstuffs.

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Ground Beetles

These various large black or violet beetles that occasionally wander in from the garden or emerge from under doormats or not a pest and control is rarely necessary.

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Harvest Mites

A very tiny creature living in long grass but which can be carried into homes on clothing or the coats of dogs. Can give a very irritating bite.

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Harvestmen Spiders

Harmless spider-like creatures with eight exceptionally long, thin legs. They do not spin webs but occasionally wander into homes.

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Head Lice

These aren't a pest problem, but a medical problem. The head louse is a blood-sucking parasite about 3mm long that adapts to the hair colour of its host. The tiny, pearly eggs or “nits” are cemented to the hair close to the scalp, and there are three

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Hornets

Twice the size of the common wasp and brown and yellow instead of black and yellow. It builds nests in hollow trees and similar sites. They only occasionally enter houses.

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling House Dust Mites

Exceedingly common, these tiny creatures are of the genus Dermatophagoides. They are the primary source of the house dust allergens implicated in allergic, respiratory reactions such as asthma. Dust Mites feed on human skin scales and require both wa

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling House Flies

The Common Housefly and the Lesser Housefly are the most widespread household flies. The adult is 7-8mm long, grey in colour with black stripes on the back, with a single pair of veined membraneous wings. The large compound eyes take up most of the h

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling House Mice

House mice are a part of British wildlife - but when they take up residence with you, they can be a cause for concern.

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling House Moths

Textile pests and scavengers whose grubs eat natural fabrics. Similar to Clothes Moths.

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Lacewing

The pale green Lacewing is a harmless wanderer from the garden or woods where its larvae prey upon other insects. It has a pale green, soft body, about 15mm long, with richly veined transparent wings folded over it when at rest. The eyes are an iride

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Ladybirds

There are many types of ladybird in the UK, but quite recently, a new variety was introduced that has the potential to jeopardise the others. The Harlequin ladybird is found naturally in the Far East, including Japan and Korea. It was introduced into

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Larder Beetle

A relatively large (7-10mm) oval beetle, almost black but with a distinct pale band across the front of the wing-cases. The larvae are white after first hatching, but turn brown and are covered with tufts of bristly hair. They grow to 10-12mm long an

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Lice

Small, flat, wingless, grey parasites about 2mm long with strong claw legs and which feed on human blood. There are two distinct forms of this sort of louse - the head louse and the body louse, but they are similar in appearance.

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Longhorn Beetle

The longhorn beetles are a cosmopolitan family of beetles, typically characterised by extremely long antennae, which are often as long as or longer than the beetle's body.

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Maggots

The layman’s term for the legless, wriggling larval (first) stage of certain insects, usually the larvae of Flies. However, you can find larvae for all sorts of species of insects including Beetles, Moths and Fleas.

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Mealworm

A term applied to the larvae of the three species of Mealworm Beetle. Adult beetles are about 15mm long, dark brown and scavenge in damp larders or down in basement food stores. They frequently breed in old birds’ nests. The larvae are large (up to 2

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Midges

Tiny dark grey flies, only about 2mm long with hair-fringed wings, most prevalent in spring and summer near sewage works. Also known as Filter Flies or Owl Midges, their grubs perform a useful purpose because they break down organic material at sewag

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Mites

Barely visible to the naked eye, mites have eight legs and a round body and are seldom noticed until they have built up sufficient numbers to be a major infestation. They are not insects but are arachnids, related to spiders.

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Moles

Moles tunnel using their large two front paws to scrape away the earth and feel along tunnels with their snouts and whiskers. Because of the absence of light within their living conditions, moles have very poor eyesight so very rarely will you see mo

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02 January 2024

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Professional rodenticide users have two years to prepare for changes

PRESS RELEASE: All user groups of SGARs covered by the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime have two years to prepare for a significant change in access to such products.

06 June 2022

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Daera reopen Northern Ireland Wild Bird Licence Consultation

Daera/Northern Ireland Environment Agency is currently considering the wild bird general licences for 2022/2023 and beyond.

13 June 2019

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Defra release three new general licences for bird control

Three new general licences for the killing or taking of wild birds in England will be issued at 00:01 on Friday 14 June, says Defra.

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07 October 2025

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Pest expert advice on mosquitoes in wake of UKHSA report

National trade body, British Pest Control Association (BPCA), has issued advice to householders after two species of disease-carrying mosquitoes were found in the UK.

23 September 2025

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Tragic death of retired nurse prompts allergy awareness call

Experts at British Pest Control Association (BPCA) are urging householders to be allergy aware after the tragic death of a retired nurse who is thought to have died following a reaction to bee stings.