Wherever people live there may be creatures present that may be regarded as pests either because they cause public health problems or because they cause a nuisance. Environmental Services provide an online 
Pest Control form where you can request an officer to visit and treat various household pests including:

We aim to provide a service for public health significant pests within 48 hours of request, these include, rats, mice, bedbugs and cockroaches.

There is a further chargeable service for non-public health significant pests such as fleas, flies, wasps, bees, slugs and ants.  Details of  fees and charges  ( pfd 65kb)

Sunderland City Council has no power to deal with 'stray' or feral cats, contact the Cat Protection League for advice.

If you have a problem with pests you can contact us on (0191) 553 1661 or by email: public.health@sunderland.gov.uk

However, not all garden insects are regarded as pests. Some are quite beneficial to the environment by acting as predators on other insects or pollinating plants and flowers. The following information on some common insects may allay fears and give practical advice on how to resolve problems.  

We are also able to give advice regarding bird nuisances.

Rats
In medieval times the black ship rat bought fleas carrying bubonic plague to England. But 200 years on we now have the brown or sewer rat. They do not carry the plague but can spread Leptospirosis, Salmonella food poisoning, Typhus, Trichinosis and Tapeworms. 

How to spot them
Rats leave little dark brown droppings, about 20mm long. Like the mouse they gnaw on wire, wood and soft metals such as lead and aluminium are no barrier to an active rat. 

Habits
The rat generally stays within 50m of its home but can range to 300m. They will move every week or two and may travel several kilometres on these occasions. Rats are active at night and live in sewers that provide a ready supply of food. If they need to, rats will emerge from drains to look for more food. Rats breed just like mice. 

Control
If you see any signs of rats in your house or garden, please contact the council as soon as possible. We offer a free survey and eradication service to all residents. We use poisoned bait, wherever possible away from children and pets. 
Please clear any food spills thoroughly. Take care that all waste foods are disposed of into your refuse bin and not left lying around in bags or sacks. If you are composting, do not use meat or cooked products. 
Bird food is a tasty treat to vermin, so use a rat-proof bird table. 
Seal up any gaps around pipes going through walls, repair broken airbricks or drains quickly and make sure doors fit properly. 
top

Mice
The house mouse is slim, grows to a maximum of 25g and has a pear-shaped body. They can climb very well and can squeeze through holes just 6mm across, so most houses are easy targets. 

How to spot them
Mice leave little black droppings, smaller than an apple pip. They also gnaw on wire, wood and furniture and will take small chunks out of any food that is left lying around. 

Habits
Mice tend to eat and sleep in a small area, for example one house, or may travel up to 100m in fields. They are active mainly at night, will eat anything man eats and can produce up to five young every four weeks. 

Control
The Council offers a free service to all residents to eradicate house mice. We use poisoned bait, wherever possible in small boxes away from children and pets. If you prefer, you could employ a private pest control contractor or buy traps and poison from a hardware shop to use yourself. 
top

Cockroaches
Cockroaches found indoors in the UK have been introduced from the tropics during the last 200 years, and most of them can only survive in heated buildings. 

Habits
Cockroaches are not fussy about what they eat (including wallpaper, leather and hair) and are often found in groups. 
They spend much of the day hiding in cracks and crevices around areas like sinks, drains, cookers, the backs of service ducts and complex plumbing installations. 
Cockroaches can carry dysentery, gastro-enteritis and typhoid. Germs can be spread from the body of the cockroach or from the droppings they leave behind.

Control
As with most indoor insects, good hygiene is the key to keeping cockroaches out of your home. It not only denies the insects a food source but will also make them easier to spot. 
All cracks, crevices and other building problems that could provide a dark enclosure for cockroaches should be repaired as quickly as possible. Pipe work should not be boxed in as it provides an excellent hiding place. 

Insecticides
Most 'over the counter' insecticides are largely ineffective against cockroaches. You can use various treatments but these will need to be repeated once a month for at least three months. Insecticide treatments work best if a variety of treatments are used, such as: 
Sprays - on rough surfaces such as concrete brick and unpainted woodwork. 
Dusts - in heating ducts, pipe work, conduits, equipment, cracks, crevices and any other place in which cockroaches can hide and where the dust cannot be swept away. 
Lacquer - insecticidal lacquer can be applied to non-porous dry surfaces. Once the coating has set the insecticide dissolved within it slowly comes to the surface. Insects crossing it then become contaminated and eventually die. These lacquers can be effective for a year or more and are very effective around door frames, skirting boards, pipe work and other places where cockroaches can enter the building. 
Baits - generally suitable where food is limited for the cockroaches (not kitchens) and where powders are unsuitable (e.g. bathrooms). 
The council offers a free treatment for cockroaches in residential premises. If you think that you have cockroaches, please bring an example for identification. It is likely that adjoining properties will also need treatment. 

Safety
Be safe. Always read the label of an insecticide before buying it and follow the safety precautions before use. Some are flammable, hazardous to pets (especially fish) or harmful if breathed in. Do not spray foods, food preparation surfaces or animals. Never spray around children. Do not breathe in excessive amounts of spray
top

Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are tiny blood sucking insects that feed on humans, pets, chickens, and other animals. They feed at night or in the dark. Although not painful at first, bed bug bites usually become red, swollen and itchy. Reactions to bites range from mild to severe. Bed bugs are not known to spread any diseases. 

Bed bugs are 4 to 5 mm long (less than ¼ of an inch) and have a flat head and a flat, oval body. Young bed bugs are yellow-white in colour and change to a light reddish brown as they mature. Bed bugs can live in furniture, cushions, mattresses and walls in your home. 

Indications of a bed bug infestation include: small blood stains on walls and sheets (stains are from bed bug excretions, not bites), skins shed from the early life stages of the bed bug and an odour similar to the smell of fresh raspberries. Bed bugs multiply rapidly and can quickly infest your home. 

Bed bugs can enter your home when you bring in infested furniture, bedding, old books, laundry and suitcases. They may also enter your home through water pipes, gutters, windows bed bugs in one area, it is likely they are hiding in other places too. Bed bugs can be hard to get rid of because they hide in small places like the cording around mattresses, under buttons and in the seams of cushions. Check for bed bugs hiding in your bedding, curtains, furniture, cracks in the walls and behind loose wallpaper. 

To get rid of bed bugs you can: 
When it is colder than 25 degrees F, place mattresses and furniture outside for several hours to kill bed bugs. Temperatures below 25 degrees F will freeze and kill bed bugs. 
Wash all bedding, curtains and clothing in hot water on a regular basis. 
Vacuum and steam clean carpets. 
Use insecticides to get rid of bed bugs that are hiding in walls and other large objects. 
(Choose insecticides with "pyrethrins" as an active ingredient on the label. Only use insecticides labelled for household use because some insecticides can damage or stain your furniture, wallpaper, etc. Use care when applying insecticides, especially around children, the elderly, immuno-compromised people, and anyone else who may be sensitive to insecticides. Always follow label directions carefully.) 

Bed bugs can be difficult to get rid of because they hide so well. If two weeks have passed since you first tried to rid your home of bed bugs and you still notice signs of bed bugs, repeat the above steps. For heavy infestations contact a pest control service. 
top

Fleas
The most common fleas found in British houses are the cat flea and the dog flea.  The human flea is now extremely rare and is largely found in piggery's. 

How to spot them
Fleas are brown, around 2mm long, 1mm high and so thin that they look almost flat. The adult feeds from birds or mammal while the larvae feed on small particles of organic matter. 

Fleas pass through three stages (egg, larvae and pupa) before becoming an adult. Their eggs are smooth, oval, greyish white and very smooth (1/4mm). They can only just be seen with the naked eye. 
The fleas' armour makes them almost impossible to squash and they are capable of jumping a vertical height of 30cm. This represents 200 times its own body length, if a man were to jump this height it would be around 350m straight up in the air! 

Habits
Both adults and larvae live in cracks and crevices, usually on the floor or in the host's bedding. Each species of flea is more or less dependant on their own species of host, but remove the host and some fleas can live for months on human blood. However they cannot breed and so will die eventually. If a house has been empty for months fleas can lie dormant until a host appears for them to feed from. 

Control
With cat or dog fleas it is necessary to have the animal treated (your vet will be able to help) and have its bedding thoroughly washed and treated with insecticide. 

All floors, cracks, crevices, fabrics and bedding should be treated with insecticide and bed linen should be washed. 

We advise that you vacuum all floors and floor coverings and spray all new vacuum cleaner bags with insecticide to kill any fleas that are collected. 

Insecticides
There are many products that deal with fleas; the best ones contain "Methoprene" which gives several months of protection by preventing larvae from developing properly. You can buy these products from most chemists, hardware shops and veterinary surgeries. If you have problems getting rid of fleas your local business directory will list professional pest controllers. 

Safety
Be safe. Always read the label of an insecticide before buying it and follow the safety precautions before use. Some are flammable, hazardous to pets (especially fish) or harmful if breathed in. Do not spray foods, food preparation surfaces or animals. Never spray around children. Do not breathe in excessive amounts of spray. 
top

Wasps

Treating Wasp Stings
Wasps will sting if provoked and this can be very painful. The venom can produce swelling as well as discomfort. The usual treatment is washing with soap and water then applying something cold to reduce swelling. Pharmacists have special sprays and creams that help reduce the pain and inflammation. Very occasionally stings are dangerous, such as when a swollen tongue obstructs breathing, or an allergic response creates a severe shock. In these cases medical help is needed immediately. 

Wasps Are Useful
There is no need to kill every wasp you see. In the summer they perform the useful task of killing hundreds of other insects that are themselves a problem in the home and garden. So if wasps are tolerable, leave them alone. On the other hand, if you are being pestered by dozens of wasps daily then there is probably a colony nearby that you may wish to destroy. 

Finding The Colony
Wasp nests can often be located on a sunny day when wasps are most active. By following where a wasp is flying to you may find a hole leading to the nest in a roof, airbrick, shed or compost heap. The colony will die in autumn and will never be used again. You may therefore decide to wait and let the wasps die off naturally. 
top

Biscuit Beetles

How to spot them
Biscuit beetles are small reddish-brown beetles 2 to 3 mm long. They are relatives of the woodworm beetle and may sometimes be mistaken for woodworm due to their similar appearance. 

Habits
They commonly infest hard, dry, starch-containing foods like cereals and spices. They are very clever at entering packages that are not tightly closed, and can bore through plastic bags, foil and cardboard to reach preferred foods. Its American name 'drugstore beetle' comes from its ability to breed in dried vegetable matter of any kind, even poisonous substances such as strychnine, belladonna or aconite. 
Biscuit beetles are found throughout the world, and are likely to have been spread by ships in former times. The old sailor's habit of tapping a ship's biscuit on the table before eating was to knock out some of the beetle larvae and similar insect infestations! 
They are not dangerous, but they can be a nuisance when they infest a food cupboard, and if left long enough, they can produce some quite spectacular infestations in old packets of cereal and the like. They are also often associated with old bird nests in roof spaces. 
As they are so tiny they may come in unnoticed in a food packet and spread to infest the rest of the cupboards, or they may travel from another location, like an old bird's nest. 

Life cycle
Female biscuit beetles will lay eggs freely either in a preferred food product or in crevices near to it. When conditions are warm enough (they need 20ºC or more - this is average room temperature) the eggs will hatch into larvae ½ mm long which wander around the surrounding area, crawling through tiny spaces to reach foodstuffs. They can survive starvation for up to 8 days while looking for food. After about 2 months, depending upon the temperature, the larvae pupate in cocoons, often within the food, until 1 or 2 weeks later the adults hatch. The adults bore their way through food or packaging to emerge, making holes which can look rather like woodworm. 
The adult beetles do not eat, instead they wander about for 3 to 4 weeks, during which time they will breed and lay more eggs. They will often wander far from the original site, and may be found on work surfaces and other locations around the room. They may sometimes be found on window frames, where they are attracted by light. They are strong fliers. 
Control
The first thing to do is empty food cupboards, trace the infested food, and dispose of all the infested food you can find. They prefer hard, dry starchy products, although they can eat almost anything organic if required, and can penetrate sealed packets and tin foil. They may also be found in screw topped jars if these have not been properly closed. The kind of foodstuffs which might be attacked are: 
cereal products 

Items you are not sure about are best disposed of or sealed in plastic containers or screw-topped jars (tightly closed!) and left for a few months. If there is no activity within about four months it is probably not infested. This ensures that any new food that you buy is not re-infested by accident. 
When the cupboards are emptied thoroughly clean down all the surfaces, paying particular attention to corners and crevices. Then spray the surfaces with an insecticide for use with crawling insects, again, making sure that you reach the corners. Try to get an insecticide with a 'residual' effect, and make sure that it is approved for use in food rooms (the can label should state this). 
After the spray has dried, and has been left for any period stated on the can, you can put food back into the cupboard. Try to store newly bought starchy items such as flour, rice or biscuits in sealed containers so that they cannot be attacked by any beetles missed by the insecticide. Make sure that you rotate stocks to use up old items first and dispose of anything past its sell by date. 
If the beetles are in areas other than the kitchen, particularly on the first floor, it is likely that they are travelling from a bird's nest in the vicinity. Check the loft space and make sure that there are no old bird's nests which might be harbouring the beetles. If there are, carefully remove and dispose of them and thoroughly spray the area with a residual insecticide for use with crawling insects. 

Safety
Be safe. Always read the label of an insecticide before deciding to buy it - and follow the safety precautions during use. Some are flammable, hazardous to pets (especially fish) or harmful if breathed in. Do not spray foods, food preparation surfaces or animals. Never spray around children. Do not breathe in excessive amounts of spray.
top

Common Earwig 
This insect is widely distributed throughout the UK. Its primary habitat is outdoors where it is found on both live and dead animal and plant material. They are beneficial in that they are predators of aphids (green fly etc). They tend to move indoors in search of protection from the colder weather in autumn and may then occasionally come into contact with humans. Chemical control of earwigs is not necessary in the majority of cases. However, if removal of nearby vegetation and proofing of entry points does not overcome the problem an application of a residual spray or dust may help. 
top

Common Garden Woodlice
The species of woodlice which occasionally enter houses are entirely casual visitors searching usually for some protection from the onset of cold weather and perhaps being encouraged by the build up of vegetation and other favourable niches outside the house. They are capable of small amounts of chewing damage to plant leaves but basically are of no public health significance as they do not cause disease. Control of woodlice may be achieved by simple cleaning, the sealing of potential entry points and removal of rubbish and vegetation from the house. An application of residual crawling insect powder around entry points will prevent further problems.  
top

Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails are widespread throughout the UK and can have an impact on domestic gardens. They can occur indoors where damp conditions prevail such as damp cellars and outhouses. The main action required to eradicate slugs and snails is by remedying areas of dampness, clearing away areas of vegetation and debris from access points i.e. around steps, air bricks etc., and by sealing any obvious cracks and crevices.
top

Clover Mite
As autumn approaches and the weather gets cooler these insects sometimes move into buildings through cracks in window frames etc. Although they are of no public health significance and can't damage textiles or foodstuffs, their nuisance value can be quite considerable. They can be controlled by removing vegetation next to walls and windowsill areas and sealing all entry points. If necessary a residual insecticide spray applied to the wall and window area should resolve the problem.  
top

Ants
These are of no public health significance but can be a nuisance. Control measures are generally only required where ants are entering buildings. Access points should be sealed using mortar, cement or mastic as appropriate together with the application of a residual insecticide.  

There are two species of ant commonly found in the the UK:
The Garden (Black) Ant

The Pharaoh's Ant

The Garden Ant has a black segmented body, the workers are 5mm in length and the queen is 15mm long and brown in colour. Their nests are found in soil, lawns and close to buildings. 
The Pharaoh's Ant which is of tropical origin is a smaller species; the workers are only 2mm long, the queen 5mm long and both are yellow in colour. 

Where they are to be found? 
The Garden Ant is found throughout Britain and will nest in gardens and around buildings often entering premises in search of food. The Pharaoh's Ant by contrast requires a very warm environment and has adapted itself to life in large heated buildings such as hospitals, hotels and flats. 

What is their significance? 
The Garden Ant is a nuisance because of its foraging habit but it does not spread disease. Garden Ants are attracted to fatty or sugary food. Pharaoh's Ants are of greater significance as they carry harmful germs which they pick up when feeding on decomposing food, faecal matter and when coming into contact with drains and hospital dressings. They are a particular problem in hospitals and are difficult to eradicate. 

What is their life cycle? 
The Garden Ants mate in flight when winged males and females swarm between mid July and mid September. 
After mating the male dies and female loses her wings and buries herself in the soil over the winter. In late Spring the female lays eggs which hatch into white larvae in 3-4 weeks. The larvae are fed by the queen and when fully grown pupate. The worker ants which emerge from the pupae feed new larvae and the queen. The life cycle is complete in two months and in favourable conditions the nest may persist for several years. 
In contrast the Pharaoh's Ant develops several colonies within each nest and many queens. As the old nest becomes overcrowded new colonies are formed by eggs and larvae carried b y adults and workers. 
The lift cycle is the same as that of the Garden Ant but the Pharaoh's Ant which favour heated buildings is not affected by seasonal changes. The ants' ability to form many colonies make them difficult to control. 

How can they be controlled? 
There are several measures you can take to control Garden Ants: 
Identify and destroy the nest using boiling water or a proprietary insecticidal dust or spray around the nest and opening in buildings. 
Ensure that sugary foods are kept in sealed containers and all food spillages are cleared up. 
An infestation of Pharaoh's Ants must be professionally treated. 

Safety? 
All pesticides are applied by our qualified and experienced staff to ensure the safety of the public and minimise damage to the environment. 
top

Silverfish & the Firebrat

The silverfish and the firebrat are very common household pests. 

How to spot them
They are long, slim, scaly, segmented, wingless insects, with a pair of long fine antennae at the front and three tail-like appendages at the rear. 
Silverfish may grow to about 12mm in length but the firebrat tends to be larger (14mm) with much longer antennae. The silverfish, as its name implies, is silvery and glistening in appearance whilst the firebrat is greyish with dark, irregular markings. 

Habitat
Silverfish are found in fairly moist areas: kitchens, larders and mainly in bathrooms and basements. They can also be found in books and paper, slightly damp cupboards, behind skirtings and loose wallpaper. 
The firebrat needs much higher temperatures, ideally between 32ºC and 48ºC. It is often found in bakeries and near ovens and hot pipes. 
Both the silverfish and firebrat are nocturnal. They move very rapidly when disturbed and just turning on a light can make them run for cover. 

Food
The silverfish feeds mainly on small food particles and the paste on the back of wallpaper that has become detached. It attacks gums and glues of bookbinding, feeds on fragments of dead insects and may also eat textiles such as cotton and linen. The firebrat feeds mainly on food debris. 

Life cycle
The female silverfish is believed to lay about 100 eggs, either singly or in groups, usually in crevices and cracks and not glued to the surface on which they are laid. They are small and white when first laid but soon turn brownish and are difficult to find. The time they take to hatch varies from two to eight weeks, depending on the temperature and humidity of the breeding site. Newly hatched insects are about 2mm long and resemble the adults in appearance. The time they take to reach maturity may vary from a few months to over a year, depending on the temperature and humidity of their surroundings. 
The life cycle of the firebrat is similar to that of the silverfish but it lays a greater number of eggs. 

Control
When only a few silverfish are seen it is not necessary to take any action other than checking for damp. 
If large numbers of these insects trouble you they are easily controlled with normal insecticidal spray or dust which can be bought from most hardware stores. Look for the products that are specifically designed to deal with crawling insects. 

Dampness
The presence of silver fish is an indication of damp conditions. This may be a warning that repairs are needed. Look at the floor, walls and ceiling for signs of staining due to dampness. Check that all the water pipes, gutters and damp proof courses are intact. 
Another common problem is condensation - sometimes caused by drying washing indoors (especially by an unventilated tumble drier) or by cooking. Whenever creating steam you should try to keep the internal doors closed and the window open. Bathrooms and kitchens should also have permanent ventilation to the outside - an air-brick or trickle vent on the window. 
Prolonged problems with damp can lead to structural damage, dry rot and other serious effects. Seek help from a reputable builder or surveyor if you are unable to repair the damage yourself. 
top

Pictures by kind permission of Killgerm Chemicals Ltd