Most of us in South Africa have come into contact with these 4-legged creatures at one point in our lives. Whether found on a beloved pet skin or crawling up your leg after a walk in the bushveld, it is usually only noticed once it has attached itself to the skin and has started feeding...Read More

Pest birds (e.g. starlings, doves, pigeons, seagulls) are a significant health risk to humans. They carry harmful diseases, insects, and parasites. Not only this, but they can cause tremendous physical damage to property and to YOU as well (have you ever tried to shoo a seagull away from its lunch? Things can get aggressive, fast!)....Read More

It is a common misconception that all pests hibernate and disappear in late autumn and winter months. Although pest activity is somewhat lower than in the summer months, they can still be problematic. Its important to know what sort of pests to look out for in autumn so you can identify and deal with the...Read More

We all believe that we need to use cheese in our mouse trap because that is what cartoons have taught us, but is that really the truth? And what about cats that keep our property free from rats and mice? Did Tom ever catch Jerry?   Let the myth busting begin.   1 – Cheese...Read More

Did you know: The name Cockroach comes from the Spanish term Cucaracha (deriving from the Latin ‘blatta’), which means “an insect that shines the light’. We find this strange because cockroaches usually hide from light! Cockroach fossils have been found dating back more than 200 million years! Cockroaches are CANNIBALISTIC! Yes, you may know that...Read More

There are more than 980 species of bats in the world! Of these, 6% live in South Africa. Bats are extremely sensitive creatures and so they are a great indicator of biodiversity. They are very important pollinators of flowers, dispersers of seeds and they consume large numbers of insects (including the irritating mosquito) every day....Read More

Did you know? Sumerians (the people of southern Mesopotamia) were one of the first people recorded to use chemicals as a form of pest control. Around 4 500 years ago, they used Sulphur compounds to control insects and mites. A few thousand years later (3 200 years ago), the Chinese used mercury and arsenical compounds to control...Read More

A pantry is always a main attraction for any pest. Ants, cockroaches, fruit flies, and even rats… the list goes on. One of the most common pest problems in a pantry is a beetle infestation. The absolute horror of going through the pantry and realizing you have been sharing your food with a nasty little...Read More

Spring is in the air! In Gauteng, we have already received a few drops of much needed rain after the dry winter and so the spring flowers are finally starting to bloom into life! Unfortunately, they are not the only things that are starting to bloom. Spring is also the time of year when little...Read More

A group of researchers at the University of Florida may have found an alternative method of pest management for strawberry plants: The team decided to use an ultraviolet (UVC) light system to help prevent diseases in the plant. They found that UVC light helps in the control of Powdery Mildew, which is a fungus that...Read More