Top tips on how to prevent pests in your home

Prevention is better than cure, so make sure your room and communal spaces are clean and tidy, to avoid pests setting up home!

• Clean regularly: Vacuum carpets and upholstery, wipe down surfaces, and take out the rubbish daily.
• Declutter: Remove clutter to deprive pests of places to hide.
  
• Eliminate food sources: Store food properly in sealed containers, and clean up crumbs.
  
• Inspect items: Check stuffed animals and toys for signs of insects or eggs.
• Laundry: Wash bedding and clothes regularly and keep any soft furnishings clean and sanitised.

The following pests are commonly found in the UK and are not harmful, but you may wish to consider the following information and recommendations for prevention:

Maggots – Flies often lay eggs in waste materials, which hatch as maggots. It's important to dispose of waste and store food properly to limit the risk. You should ensure that your kitchen bins are regularly emptied into the appropriate bins in the bin store. Keeping bin lids closed after use will limit the number of flies that are able to access waste in your kitchen. If the bin is overflowing and their are maggots on the floor then the bin must be emptied and the area cleaned as a matter of urgency. Please note that, if you use the hoover to clean up maggots, you must dispose of the hoover bag immediately into the external bins, otherwise the maggots will continue to develop and increase in number in your hoover.

Spiders – Natural residents of buildings, spiders are harmless in the UK. You may not be their biggest fan, so we suggest carefully catching them using a glass and a piece of paper and depositing them outside your halls building.

Flies, moths, other flying things – These pests are attracted to bright lights and warm, damp places. Do not open windows at night with the lights on. Rooms do not come with window screens and students are not able to install these as they can damage fixtures/fittings and are against fire regulations.

Ladybirds – These insects may seek warmth or gather on windows. They are harmless and one of the UK's prettier insects.

Ants – Ants tend to congregate around spillages of food and drink, particularly sugary items. It's important to maintain good food hygiene and clean up any suspects leaks or spills as soon as possible. If you suspect an infestation, report this on Planon.

Wasps/bees – Although these pests have the potential to sting you, spotting one or two is not a cause for concern. However, if there are a high volume of them, report this on Planon in case there is a nest nearby.

Mice/rats – Report mice or rats on Planon as soon as you see them, especially if within a building.

Silverfish – Silverfish are common in damp environments, such as bathrooms. You may wish to ensure areas are well ventilated, and floors are kept dry. If you spot these pests in kitchens, please ensure food is kept covered and in airtight containers.

Fruit flies – Keep bin lids closed and regularly dispose of rubbish. You may wish to check any potted plants in case they are breeding.

Bed Bugs – Report these immediately on Planon. Clean all bedding, clothing and soft furnishings, and hoover the room.

Take a look at the The British Pest Control Association for some handy advice on pests in the UK

If you are experiencing issues with any of the above, please do not arrange a contractor yourselves as the University has an approved contractors who can assess, treat, and follow up on pest control measures.