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• Pest FAQs

  We have put together some FAQs based on requests that come through to our pest control team.

1. What do ants look like?
2. Can ants bite or sting?
3. Can I use anything to kill ants?
4. How can I control a flea problem?
5. How do I report an infestation of bed bugs?
6. Are pest treatments safe?
7. What type of insecticide do you use?
8. What if my children or pets come into contact with insecticides?
9. What type of pesticide do you use?
10. What if my children or pets come into contact with pesticides?

 1. What do ants look like?
The worker ant is very dark brownish almost black and about 5mm long. The queen is rarely seen except for certain months in the summer, is about 15mm long and mid brown in colour.

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 2.  Can ants bite or sting?
Whilst not at risk to human health, they can be present in sufficient numbers to cause a nuisance.
The emergence of 'flying ants' in large swarms can cause alarm to people but nothing can be done to stop them swarming, and they are also harmless.

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 3.  Can I use anything to kill ants?
Insecticidal dusts are an effective treatment against garden ants and these can be purchased from most hardware stores. Insecticidal aerosols are suitable for crawling ants and can be sprayed into cracks and crevices, you can also treat flying ants with this. Bait formulations rely upon worker ants taking the bait back to the nest sharing it with other ants.

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 4.  How can I control a flea problem?
Regular cleaning, particularly with a vacuum cleaner, will help prevent the build up of infestation by removing eggs and larvae from floors,furniture and where pets sleep.

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 5. How do I report an infestation of bed bugs?
Telephone Knowsley Pest Control on 443 2455 to report the infestation and we will make an appointment for a pest control officer to carry out a treatment if required. You can also report pest problems via our online form.

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 6. Are pest treatments safe?
The treatments that we use are approved under the UK Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986. They are always administered by qualified professional staff.

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 7.  What type of insecticide do you use?

• Ficam D – dustable powder (primary ingredient is 1 per cent Bendiocarb) 
• Ficam W - water dispersable powder (primary ingredient is 1 per cent Bendiocarb)
• Pybuthrin 33 (primary ingredients are Pyrethrins  and Piperonyl butoxide)

If you suspect that a neighbouring property has received treatment, we advise you to avoid contact with skin, eyes and ingestion, and keep children and pets away from any treatment.

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 8. What if my children or pets come into contact with insecticides?
Any doctor or veterinarian will know what the correct first aid measures are once you advise them of the active ingredients.  Do not treat them at home. You should always seek immediate professional medical advice. 

• If handled, wash hands and exposed skin immediately.
• If swallowed, wash out mouth with water.
• If ingested, contact a doctor or veterinarian immediately advising them of the active ingredients.

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 9. What type of pesticide do you use?
Blue rodenticidal, which is in the form of a ready to use grain-based bait block or whole grain bait. The active ingredient is Bromadiolone, which is an anticoagulant. If you suspect that a neighbouring property has received treatment, we advise you to take the following precautions:

• Avoid contact by mouth with the treated area.
• Keep children and pets away from any bait.
• If handled, wash hands and exposed skin immediately.
• If eaten, contact a doctor or veterinarian immediately advising them of the active ingredient.

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 10. What if my children or pets come into contact with pesticides?
You should seek medical advice immediately. Any doctor or veterinarian will know what the correct antidote is once you advise them of the active ingredient. As treatment may be required in divided doses over a period of time and should be withdrawn with care it is always advisable to seek professional advice rather than trying to self medicate.

Symptoms: If large quantities are ingested the symptoms may be nose-bleeds, bleeding gums, blood in urine or faeces.

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