- Rats - Mice - Cockroaches - Fleas - Ants - Wasps - Bed Bugs - Others -

RATS:

The most common species of rat found in Uganda is the brown rat. There is also the black rat which is much less common and is usually found in very few port side areas. Rats tend to be a problem as they are destructive and transmit many dangerous diseases.

Their characteristics:
Rats are nocturnal animals. They live for 9-18 months in the wild and the females can have over 50 offspring in a year.

The treatment:
Successful eradication maybe possible using a combination of rodenticidal baits and proofing.

MICE:

The house mouse is a very common pest of buildings. Field mice and other less common rodents are not usually found in houses, but may cause infestations occasionally. The confirmation of droppings usually confirms mice are present. They can also cause damage to foodstuffs, chew wrappers and cause holes in a variety of materials.

Their characteristics:
Mice are also nocturnal. They live for around 12 months and can produce around 80 offspring per year.

The treatment:
Mice can be controlled using a combination of rodenticidal baits and proofing.

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COCKROACHES:

There are many different kinds of cockroach. Some of the more common types that occur in Uganda include Common cockroach, German cockroach, Brown-banded cockroach, American cockroach and Australian cockroach. Cockroaches can seriously harm business reputations, particularly within the food industry.

Their characteristics:
Common cockroaches can infest premises for long periods before they are discovered. They are a widespread pest in Uganda. The adult cockroaches are usually around 20-25 mm long and are reddish-brown in colour.
The Brown-banded cockroach is often found in residential premises. The adult cockroaches are quite small, usually around 10-15 mm long and are a yellowish-brown colour, with dark hoops around their body.
The German cockroach is often found in kitchens and laundries, hence its common name, the Steamfly. The adult cockroaches are quite small, usually around 10-15 mm long and are again yellowish-brown in colour but with two dark longitudinal marks or stripes.

The treatment:
Infestations can be very deep-seated within buildings and need regular and thorough treatment to control them. This does vary depending on the type of cockroach.

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FLEAS:

Fleas are parasitic insect pests of mammals. They depend on their 'host' animal for food and development. Their host can be a cat, a dog, a fox, a bird or even in rare cases humans.

Their characteristics:
Adult fleas vary in size, but are generally about 2-3mm long and reddish brown in colour. There are too many types to list as there are around 1400 known species of flea.

The treatment:
First, the source of the infestation must be identified and treatment of the offending animal undertaken. Secondly, a thorough vacuum clean of the premises should be undertaken. Thirdly, all areas should be treated with an insecticidal spray to kill the adult fleas and larvae. Pupa often survive treatment, so it is usual to carry out a second spray treatment to ensure adequate insecticide is available when they eventually hatch out!

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ANTS:

There are two main types of ants, the black or garden ant and the pharaoh's ant. The majority of ants are worker ants and sterile females which tend the young and forage for food. The ants prefer to eat protein rich foods, such as meat, cheese, as well as fats, sugar and chocolate.

Their characteristics:
Black or Garden ants usually nest outdoors, although occasionally nesting occurs under houses or extensions, or under paving, in gardens or around walls. They are black and around 5mm in length.
Pharaoh's ants originated in North Africa/Mediterranean region and are now distributed widely around the world. They require warm and humid environments, which restricts them to internal areas in Uganda. The ants are yellow-brown in colour and very small, usually around 2mm in length. Nests are located within the fabric of buildings, along heating ducts and in wall cavities.

The treatment:
Garden ants require insecticidal treatment to destroy their trails, but tropical ants, like Pharoah's ants, need to be treated by baiting so that nests can be destroyed.

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WASPS:

Wasps are social insects and form large colonies, or nests, which are socially structured and highly organised. Wasps are a widespread pest during the summer and cause fear and concern in many people because of their powerful stings especially as some species are quite aggressive.

Their characteristics:
The queen usually spends the winter in a warm protected site often located in lofts, attics, wall cavities or in the ground. As many as 30,000 wasps can populate a nest.

The treatment:
The wasps nest will be treated directly. If the wasp nest cannot be located, treatment may involve the use of perimeter baits containing insecticide. Alternatively, insect screens on doors and windows will help stop wasps entering buildings and the installation of electric fly killers will help to control wasps if they do get inside premises.

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BED BUGS :

The bed bug enjoys the luxury of centrally heated dwellings, which they exploit all year round. They avoid the light and hide in/on furniture, on bed frames, in & behind skirting boards and plug sockets, on curtain poles, behind hanging pictures, inside divan frames, on mattresses and headboards.

Their characteristics:
Bed bugs are parasites & feed exclusively on blood, usually human blood. The bugs climb over their human hosts during the night and use their piercing mouthparts to penetrate the skin for feeding. Adult bed bugs are approximately 5mm long and 3mm wide. They are oval in shape and usually dark reddish brown in colour, although the colour may vary. Bed bug eggs are pearly white and 1mm long. Females feeding regularly will lay 2 or 3 eggs per day, up to a maximum of 12!

The treatment:
Insecticidal treatment will be required to eradicate bed bugs. It must be thorough and extensive and will often include treatment of furniture, skirtings and picture rails, curtains, bed frames, headboards and underneath the edges of carpets, etc. Treatment may be needed in all rooms, or all rooms on the same floor.

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OTHER PESTS:

The silverfish - a small insect, approx. 10-15mm, with a flattened body. They are grey or 'silver' in colour with a three pointed tail. Mainly nocturnal, feeding on starchy materials including flour and paper. Abundant in houses. Prefer damp, humid environments such as under baths or kitchen units. Firebrats - Similar shape and size as silverfish, but brown in colour with distinct patches of hair. Three pointed tail but with longer appendages. They prefer warmer environments and are particularly common in bakeries and heating ducts.

House crickets - The House cricket is the most common cricket pest in Uganda. It has a bird-like warble and is nocturnal. Often found inside boiler rooms, bakeries or domestic properties. It is about 12-20mm in length when fully grown and will eat almost any kind of food or refuse.

Earwigs - Earwigs are elongate insects with a pair of pincer-like protrusions, called cerci, at the base of the abdomen. They do not fly and usually hide during the day. In winter they may hibernate. They feed on a variety of animal or vegetable material. There are only a few common species of earwig in Uganda. They are not usually considered a pest but sometimes migrate into buildings in search of food.

"There are several other pests which we handle that have not been
mentioned above. Do not hesitate to contact us and we shall be happy to
provide you with any free advice and information."

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