Pest Prevalence in SA – Part 3

This is the last article from our Pest Prevalence, Pest Series. We give you a run-down of the kinds of pests that you can look out for during the specified time period. In Part 2 of the series, we spoke of the various pests that are prevalent in that time-period.

 

September to December

The warmer weather and increase in activity bring with it an increase in certain pests. Here is a list of some of the most common pests in SA during the Spring/Summer period:

•      Rice Weevil
•      Wasps
•      Ticks
•      Bees
•      Ants

Remember, you can contact Bidvest Steiner for the full proof solution. In this series, we have a look at the September to December pest prevalence.

Pest Prevalence – Rice Weevil

These can be found in stored foods. We cannot stress the importance of inspecting the grains when purchasing. Make sure that you get rid of any infested foods.

 

Signs of an Infestation

• Weevil eggs have a white oval shape which resembles rice so be sure to inspect the grains and check the expiry date
• If you see small oval-shaped brown bugs in your cupboards, chances are they are rice weevils
•  They can be found in dry soil as well but the eggs only hatch once the soil is drenched in water

Wasps

• There are over 30 000 species of wasps, many of these are similar to bees
• The way to differentiate wasps from bees is their thin body, pointed lower abdomen and two pairs of wings
• Wasps sting only when they are coerced

Signs of an Infestation

• If you spot a yellow or brownish wasp nest, some may look like cones while others may look like birds‘ nests

 

Ticks

These parasites feed on the blood of their host. There are two types of ticks, hard and soft ticks. The soft tick can be found in most domestic animals. Ticks thrive in a warm, dry environment. There is a variety of tick-bourne bacterial diseases that can also be brought to the office by colleagues with pets.

Signs of an Infestation

• If your pet becomes lethargic, shows skin irritation or is scratching adamantly
• Tick bites which look reddish with a slight swelling

 

Bees

There are two species of honey bees in SA, namely the African Bee and the Cape Bee. Of the two, the African Bee is the most threatening. Some species like the Mortar Bee, Solitary and Carpenter Bees rarely sting or produce honey. If you’re moving into a new office, consider our service so pest-proof it for you.

Signs of an Infestation

• Clusters of bees, often in chimneys, wall cavities, hollow trees or the spaces between roof and ceilings
• Noise pollution from the swarms

Ants

In Part 2 of this series, we cover some information on ants. These tiny pests are also quite prevalent during the warmer seasons. Flying ants can be spotted in the warmer seasons and some signs of infestation include ant nests which look like dirt mounds. Read here for more.

 

Let Us Handle What’s Bugging You this Summer

At Bidvest Steiner, we have a range of pest management services and solutions to suit your specific needs. With a wide selection of pest management solutions, there is little you’ll have to worry about this Summer.

We have Integrated Pest Management which comprises of an all-inclusive solution giving you superior pest control. We also offer consultation services to a broad spectrum of commercial clients like:

• Local Municipalities within South Africa
• Food Manufacturers
• Facility Management Firms
• Retail
• Hospitality Industry

Get in touch with us so we can take preventative measures if there have been no signs of infestation. If there is a known issue, we will tailor our services to suit your needs.