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The most common types of flea are cat fleas and dog fleas. Human fleas are becoming increasingly rare. They are external parasites, living off the blood of mammals and birds. Fleas are 1.5 to 3.3mm long, agile and usually dark coloured.

Where do fleas come from?

Adult fleas live as parasites on warm-blooded mammals. Eggs …

Wasps are commonly found throughout the UK. They are social creatures, and form colonies consisting of workers (infertile females), males and a queen. Wasps are considered a beneficial insect, scavenging for the larvae of other insects, therefore controlling garden pests and clearing carcasses. They even act as pollinators as they obtain carbohydrates from fruits and …

The grey squirrel was introduced to this country between1876 and 1929.

Where do they live?

Grey squirrels mainly reside woodland areas but are a common resident of urban areas were it lives in parks and gardens and wherever there are trees and a source of food. Occasionally squirrels will enter roof spaces of houses and …

Rats are considered to be one of the most widespread British mammals, and usually live for around 18 months in the wild. Although typically nocturnal creatures, rats will forage for food in the day.

Where do they live?

Rats are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of rural and urban habitats, although …

Descendents of the Rock Dove, feral pigeons are around 33cm in length and a common sight in town and city centres.

Where do they live?

Pigeons feed on the ground in flocks or individually. In an urban environment they will roost together in buildings or on walls or statues. Pigeons breed at any time of …

Three common species of moth that we see as pests in the home are the clothes moth, the brown house moth and the white-shouldered house moth. They feed on materials containing wool or woven fibres, fur and feathers, and even fertilisers, causing physical damage as well as contamination.

What is the difference between these moths?

…

Although mice are commonly found in a range of urban and rural buildings, they may live outdoors for part of the year. The average wild mouse will live to about 4 months, and range in size from 11cm-21cm in length.

Where do they live?

Mice live mainly in nests, which are often built inside houses, …

Houseflies are commonly found where people work or live because of the warmer environment and ready supply of food. Bluebottles (sometimes called blow flies) are also often found in human environments, and are particularly attracted by meat and decaying materials.

Where do they come from?

Eggs are laid in moist or rotting matter such as …

There are many different species of cockroaches. The two that are most commonly found in the United Kingdom are the German and Oriental cockroach.

What do they look like?

Cockroaches are fairly large insects and they can range from 12mm up to around 30mm. They have two wings and long antennae. The German cockroach is brown …

Bees are adapted for feeding on nectar and pollen, and play an important role in pollinating flowering plants. There are three main types of bee, the honey bee, bumblebee and the solitary bee.

Where do they live?

Bees’ nests are typically found in trees, bushes, earth banks or buildings (roof spaces, chimneys or cavities in walls). Honey …

Bed bugs are flat oval insects about 6mm long, they are reddish-brown in colour and change to a dark mahogany once they have eaten. Nymphs that are newly hatched are colourless.

Where do bed bugs come from?

Bed bugs are found worldwide and as they cannot fly, they must crawl or be transported by the …

Black ants are commonly found throughout the UK, and although they nest outdoors, they are often found inside. Ants range in size from 1mm to 52mm and colours can vary, although most are red or black.

Black/Garden ants

Are very dark in colour, and are usually 4mm in length. During the summer, winged females and …