Super Rats
Super Rat (Rattus norvegicus (Genetic Mutation)) A new type of "super rat" with genetic mutations that apparently makes it resistant to commonly used poisons is infesting towns and cities across Britain, a scientist warned today. Pest experts in parts of Britain have noticed an increase in the number of rats who appear to be immune to poisons. Some had believed the resistance was caused by mother rats feeding the poison to their young and inadvertently increasing their immunity. But researchers from the University of Huddersfield believe a genetic mutation has resulted in the rodents' resistance. Professor Robert Smith, one of the UK's leading ...
Rats
Brown Rat, Norway Rat, Common Rat (Rattus norvegicus) They spread across Britain via the shipping traffic from foreign countries in the 18th Century, largely replacing the black rat. Along with house mice, they are considered to be the most widespread terrestrial mammal. Life span Typically up to 18 months in the wild, but domestic rats live for an average of three years. Statistics Length: 18cm, Weight: 200-400g. Physical Description Brown rats have coarse brown (occasionally black) fur, with a pale underside. They have a long tail, which is sparsely haired. Distribution Although originally native to east Asia and Japan, brown rats are now distributed world-wide. They are found all ...
Mice
House Mouse (Mus musculus) House mice originated in Asia but have since spread throughout the world. Along with brown rats, they are considered to be the most widespread terrestrial mammal other than humans. Life span Up to two years. Statistics Body length: 6.5-10cm, Weight: 12-22g. Physical Description House mice have brown-grey fur, with slightly lighter under-parts. They have large ears, a pointed snout and a long tail. Distribution Although they are thought to be native to Asia, house mice now have an almost worldwide distribution. Habitat They are typically found in areas near to human habitation and open fields. Diet They feed on practically everything, but prefer to eat cereals and ...
Moles
European Mole (Talpa europea) The only mole present in the British Isles, but not in Ireland is Talpa Europea the European Mole. Moles do not hibernate but work throughout the year, and are in the mammalian order of insectivore, which means they live off insects including worms. Most people think that moles are completely black, but they vary in colour from a silvery grey to black. They have a short tail which is covered in sensory hairs, which also appear on and around the chin, on the face and around the back of the ears. When the mole is working the tail is ...
Cockroaches
Cockroaches (Blatta orientalis - Blattella germanica) Cockroaches are large insects which range in size from 10 - 23 mm in length, they have long whip like antennae and two pairs of wings. The two most commonly found species in the British Isles are: The Oriental Cockroach (Blatta orientalis) and The German Cockroach (Blattella germanica) They can be distinguished by their size and colour, the Oriental Cockroach being larger and darker brown in colour. The Oriental Cockroach unlike the German variety is unable to climb smooth vertical surfaces. Distribution Cockroaches can be found in premises where food is stored or handled. They are nocturnal insects ...
Wasps
Common Wasps and German Wasps (Vespula vulgaris - Vespula germanica) Both species are common throughout Britain. They are social insects, forming colonies inside nests specially constructed in the ground, in cavities, trees and walls, and very frequently in roof spaces. They are therefore, frequently associated with domestic housing. Statistics Wasps are approx. 15 to 25mm long and have the famous black and yellow stripes. It is probably the only insect that everybody from a very young to a very old age knows instantly what it is and what it is capable of doing, delivering painful and sometimes fatal stings. Public Health Many ...
Ants
Black Ants and Pharaoh’s Ant (Lasius niger - Monomorium pharaonis) Common Black Ant The queen ant lays a variable number of eggs. 3 to 4 weeks later legless grubs hatch. 3 weeks later larvae mature. 2 weeks after pupation adult ants emerge. Late summer winged and mature males leave the nest and mate and then the males die whilst the females find new nest sites. Many thousands of ants live in a nest in a social hierarchy tending to various functions Habitat Black Garden Ants nest mainly in dry soil and humus. Although their nests are most often noticed in gardens – in ...
Cluster Flies
Cluster Flies (Pollenia rudis) Statistics About 5/16 inch long (7mm) Colour Non-metallic, light and dark grey areas on abdomen. Description The cluster fly is slightly larger than the common house fly. There are no distinct lines or stripes behind the head, and the abdomen has irregular light and dark grey areas. Habitat Adult flies of the last generation of the year become numerous during the late September to mid-October. As cold weather progresses, adults seek protected places to spend the winter. In many cases, this is within walls, attics, storage rooms, and cellars of houses. Screens offer no protection since these flies prefer to crawl in through ...
Textile Pests
Carpet Beetles Moths and other Pests Why Textiles? Wool, fur and feathers consist primarily of keratin which is one of the most indegestible proteins. There are, however, some insects which are adapted for feeding on this diet. Special conditions in their gut enable them to break down the sulphur linkages in the keratin and thus render it digestible. In the wild insects that can digest keratin probably feed on the remains of animals left by the carrion eaters, but they are also found in nests and lairs containing down or hair. However, keratin alone does not provide a sufficient diet for the normal ...
Fleas
Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis - Ctenoce) Fleas are frequently encountered in homes and are common pests on domestic cats and dogs. Dog fleas (Ctenocephalides canis) look like cat fleas, but are less common in the UK. Fleas on either cats or dogs in the UK are most likely cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis). Identification Adult fleas are very small insects (up to 1/8 inch), so it is difficult to see a number of the characteristics used to describe them. These reddish brown to black, wingless insects are compressed from side to side so that they look like they are walking "on edge." They have ...
Bed Bugs
Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius) The adult bed bug is a wingless insect that is flattened from top to bottom. Habitat At the beginning of an infestation, bed bugs are likely to be found only in the tufts, seams, and folds of mattresses and bed covers. In areas of heavy infestation, bed bugs can be found in crevices in the bedsteads and behind peeling walpaper and light sockets. Because bed bugs can live in bird nests, houses and buildings with several bird nests in the eaves and on the roof often will have bed bugs coming into the living areas. Life Cycle, The life cycle stages ...
Squirrels
Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) Grey squirrels are an alien species and were introduced to the UK from the USA in the late nineteenth/early twentieth century. Their success has been to the detriment of our native red squirrels. Life Span Up to 9 years. Statistics Head and body length: 23-30 cm, Tail length: 19-25cm, Weight (adult): 400-600g. Physical Description Grey squirrels are distinguished from red squirrels by their grey fur, smaller ear tufts and their larger, more robust build. Grey squirrels sit with their large bushy tail arched over the back. Distribution They are widespread throughout England and Wales, south of Cumbria, and are common in local pockets in ...
Rabbits
European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) The ancestor of all domestic rabbits, the European rabbit has become so successful that it is considered a pest in many areas. They were introduced to the UK by the Normans in the 12th century to provide meat and fur. Life Span Up to 9 years. Statistics Head-body length: 30-40 cm, Weight: 1.2-2kg. Physical Description Rabbits are smaller and less gangly than hares, and have shorter ears. The tips of the ears are brown, and the upper surface of the tail is dark brown. The characteristic white flash on the underside of the tail can be seen when the animal is fleeing. The ...
Pigeons
Feral Pigeon (Columbia livia) Pigeons are actually domesticated rock doves that have returned to wild or semi-wild conditions. Some rock doves were domesticated for food, others as homing pigeons, and some as ‘fancy’ pigeons, bred for their plumage. Life span They average 3-5 years in the wild. Captive pigeons can live for 15 years but some have been known to live for up to 35 years. Statistics Length: 29-33cm, Wingspan: 60-68cm. Physical Description Feral pigeons are a generally grey bird with slightly iridescent feathers on the neck that shine pink and green in the sunlight. Coloration is very variable with some individuals being white, others brownish-red, some ...
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