Pest Control - "Bugs" Everywhere

[Deleted User]

Hi all

Im looking for a quick bit of advice here... I have a flat (which I actually let out to students) and have been told today there is a problem with "bugs/beetles" in all the rooms that seem to come out at night.

I dont know where these have come from - the entire flat's carpets were replaced a few weeks ago and are brand new. The flat is in a high standard, and I want to get this sorted (Im a nice landlord!).

A friend suggested contacting the council as she did with cockroaches, however the coucnil said they only help with rodents. Would the flat's factors association help? Failing that, what am I looking at in terms of a pest control company, or is there anything I can do myself (Im assuming its not an overtly technical thing)??

Am ideas/help is appreciated a lot

Cheers

Doozergirl

I wonder if it's the new ladybird that's sweeping up the country. They come in all sorts of colours and there can be thousands of them in a house!! We had some in flat we'd renovated and finished on the third floor - no idea where they came from. I didn't know what they were until after we'd sold the place and found out that they can be black.

I don't know what you can do - judge the extent of the problem and then decide if it's homemead remedy or pest control. It might be quite bad if students are calling you to say that!

mrs_baggins

i used to work in council pest control so can offer my advice for what its worth. can you get one of these things to see what it exactly is? in a bag for instance. take a photo (macro) and we'll see what it is.You say they only come out at night and in all the rooms. Would you know if they are only seen on beds etc as they can be bed bugs which are quite visible once they have fed (yuk!) Other thing they could be are carpet beetles which is possible. As far as I am concerned whichever of these they are you can remedy yourself quite easily .Go to either a b and q type place pr hardware store or similar and get either a spray or powder for crawling insects. Go into each room and spray generously . remove all foodstuff or cover , remove pets especially fish as it will kill them. Best to stay out of house for 2-3 hours and best NOT to vac for a week or so and then throw bag away. that should do it!!

[Deleted User]

thanks mrs baggins! very helpful, will try to get a photo of one and post it up (if I can) for everyone to go ugh... That was pretty much what I was going to do - I also contacted the factors who said they would have a look but coulnt promise they will do anything unless the problem is coming from a flat they own and let out. I dont know if they are from the carpet - its brand new and there werent any bugs in it when it was laid - can eggs be stuck in it and then hatch after a while?

Ladybird20

well i would be intrested coz i have some funny mite things as well,,not as big as ants tho

mrs_baggins

there is a link here to one councils site (not mine!0 first one I came across. photos too!

kaya

i wanna see a piccy too

Pauls

If it were bed-bugs you'd be being eaten alive by the damn things :eek: . We managed to bring some back from Florida a few years ago and it was an absolute nightmare, none of the off the shelf insecticides would touch them.

Our problem was solved by the council, so if it is bed-bugs you might want to try calling yours again

[Deleted User]

Im waiting for the tenants to catch one then let me know... Im hoping that if theyre that hard to catch them thre arent too many of them......:undecided

As soon as I have a pic Ill post it up to share with everyone.... :T