Flying Insects: Scourge of an Irish Summer
As the Irish weather finally improves and our thoughts turn to summer, flying insects are top of mind for pest-control professionals and many of their customers. Whether it’s wasps, bees, flies or flying ants, this is the time of year to prepare for the annual invasion of these annoying, persistent – and occasionally dangerous – airborne insects.
Wasps and bees
People react differently to being stung by a bee or a wasp; some are barely affected while others can suffer considerable pain and swelling in the sting area. A small number of individuals are allergic to stings and, in some cases, can suffer potentially-fatal anaphylactic shock if medical treatment isn’t sought immediately.
If you discover a bees’ or wasps’ nest in your home, workplace, garden or shed, it is strongly recommended that you do not attempt to remove or destroy it yourself. Call a professional pest controller immediately: they will survey the affected area and remove the nest safely, efficiently and completely.
Flies
Flies spread disease with their legs and bodies as they move from their feeding grounds to food and food-preparation areas. They can only ingest liquids, so they spit their saliva onto solid foods to pre-digest it, and then suck it in. They also vomit out partially-digested food before eating it again.
An effective way to keep flies where they belong – outdoors – is through the use of fly screens and fly-control units. Since windows and doors are an open invitation to flying insects, fly screens – which are custom fitted to building entry/exit points – are the first line of defence against all types of flying insect in the home and workplace. They deny airborne insects unfettered access to your premises and prevent them from contaminating food and work surfaces, whilst at the same time allowing adequate ventilation and daylight.
Fly units, which can be free standing or wall mounted, can cover any area from 20 to 60 square metres, depending on the model in question, and are another highly effective means of keeping your home or workplace fly free.
Flying ants
Flying ants are, in fact, sexually active black garden ants that have been waiting all summer for the ideal moment – i.e. warm and dry weather – to perform their so-called ‘nuptial’ flight. Once these ants begin to fly, others detect their chemical smell and join them. Their swarms can last all day.
There is no specific treatment against flying ants – a good professional pest controller will go straight to the source of the problem, the ant nest, which is usually located underneath patio stones, flagstones, in cavity walls or old tree stumps.
While there’s no shortage of DIY materials on the market to combat flying insects, there will be occasions where only the intervention of a trained and qualified pest controller will be required. In such instances, the long-term benefits of a fly-less kitchen, a nest-less attic or an ant-less patio far outweigh the short-term (and usually modest) cost of retaining the services of an expert pest-control professional.
To discuss the most appropriate pest-control solution for your flying-insect problem, please call CENTRAL PEST CONTROL on (01) 200 5900 or (0404) 62026, or email: info@centralpestcontrol.flywheelsites.com.
