Pests

We do not provide a service for the removal of ladybirds. There is lots of information online about how to prevent or treat infestations, or you can contact a pest control company.

We do not provide a service for the removal of dust mites or silver fish, however, both can be an indicator of a damp or condensation problems. Please get in touch if you have noticed any signs of dampness or condensation.

We do not provide a service for the removal of bees. They are not considered a pest and should not be killed or ‘treated’. Bees are an important part of the eco system. If you have problems associated with bees. Please check your telephone directory or alternatively, check the following links for contact information and details of local beekeepers in your area. Many beekeepers will collect bees swarms free of charge.

Small rodents are common outdoors, especially in rural areas, near water courses or where there are lots of food sources. This is quite normal, and most pest controllers will not ‘treat’ or exterminate rodents living in their natural outdoor environments.

To prevent rodents from entering your home and becoming a problem, it is important to:

• Let us know if there are any holes in your external walls, doors or around windows.
• Seal any food sources - Keeping your dry food items (e.g. pasta, sugar, and flour) in plastic or paper bags is just inviting mice inside to enjoy their buffet! Store your dry foods in sealed plastic, metal, or glass containers and, if possible, you should keep the containers on a shelf so they are off the floor. The same also applies to any pet food that you might have! You should keep dry food in bins and any wet food should be kept in storage containers.  
• Keep the garden and home clean and tidy
• Keeping gardens well manicured, especially close to the home. Mice can use hedges and plants around your home as somewhere to shelter and nest. You should try to keep your lawn nicely manicured to stop them from hiding there. If you have plants like ivy or wisteria growing up the side of the house, mice will be able to climb it and use it to get onto your roof and into your attic.  
• Avoid the use of bird feeders which spill seed onto the floor.
• Avoid leaving rubbish, especially food waste where pests can access it.

If you do have rodents inside your home, please call us as soon as possible

This is a tenants responsibility. 

You can find more information about how to control and prevent flea investigations by looking checking out this website Pest advice for controlling Fleas (bpca.org.uk). If you have any pets, you should ensure that they are regularly treated for fleas. 

If you have lived in your Mid Devon home for less than 1 month when you notice fleas, please get in touch with us.

We do not provide a service for the removal of ants. 

Where ants become an indoor pest, the only real method of control is to locate the nest or colony by following the trail of ants. The nest can then be treated with an insecticidal dust or spray which is carried into the colony. Alternatively, there are a number of other ant control products on the market. You can purchase these from any good hardware store or online. 

Likely entrance points include holes in walls, possibly around drainage and waste pipes; air bricks; and beneath poorly finished work surfaces and kitchen units, baths and wash basins. These should be properly sealed with mortar or mastic. Please let us know if you notice any gaps requiring filling.