Have you felt something crawling over your face during the night? Are you aware of the critters that you know are there, but you cannot seem to rid your home of? If you have a pest problem, it is always a good idea to call in the experts. They will evaluate the problem and offer safe solutions for your family and your fury children.

Let’s look at the most common problems.

Metric Investments have many solutions to combat problems such as this, head on. We all unknowingly house a variety of unwanted pests around our homes. Rats are common house invaders, looking for their next meal or a place to nest, breed and take over homes, as well as commercial properties. Wasps, ants and the worst, cockroaches, are all types of pests that can not only cause an inconvenience in terms of being unsightly or being dirty but can also be the cause of many health and hygiene issues. They can also cause structural damage.

They arrive so suddenly and can cause problems to your property just as quickly. Unfortunately, a simple thing such as not doing your weekly/bi-weekly cleaning of sheets, your beds can so easily be infested by bedbugs.

Termites: A big cause for pest control spending across the world, but not as prominent in Britain. In 1995 a homeowner from England became the first person in the country to report a termite infestation within a residential home. In North Devon they noticed termite damage to their deck. The experts traced the origins of the isolated infestation to eastern Europe. There have been very little termite-related reports in the United Kingdom over the years, but be warned, many scientists are now claiming that England will soon be invaded by Formosan subterranean termites.

Bed bugs: (Cimex lectularius) Parasites of man, as they feed on blood. How do you get bedbugs in your home? There are various ways. When traveling back from a holiday destination they could be right inside your luggage, or you could bring them from a friend/family member’s homes. They could even present themselves in used furniture or carpets purchased elsewhere.

Treatment for bedbugs. If you suspect you have a problem, you may notice small red “rash” like bites on your body. This should prompt immediate investigation by a specialist. A new and effective treatment available is called Thermal (Heat) Treatment. This treatment is convenient and effective, thus no need to throw away furniture (beds, couches and chairs). Just one treatment could eliminate all adult, nymph and eggs from the bed bug. Treatment can be done in one day. Make sure there is a follow up visit, to ensure on inspection that the treatment was successful. Other DIY treatments could include bed bug killing sprays or insecticide concentrates, that you could pick up at your local store. It is however advisable that you get a professional to attend to problems like this.

Rats: Don’t you just hate rat infestations, eating away at your cupboards? Do you not climb the walls when you see an unexpected rat running across the floor? The recent rat infestation in Australia is the extreme but left untreated any rat infestation can become a huge health and safety risk. Luckily, there are ways you can deter rats and prevent an infestation, if attended to in a correct and timely manner. These rodents have been plaguing humans for centuries. They are both hardy animals and extremely clever. They can make their way into tiny spaces, which is why even the smallest of holes in your home could be a potential access point for rats.

If you suspect this pest on your property, be on the lookout for rat droppings, footprints and these other markers:

• Brown Rat droppings are dark brown in a tapered, spindle shape – like a grain of rice. These can often be detected near food storage areas and kitchen cupboards.

• Rub marks from the grease and dirt on their bodies, leaving smudges on surfaces.

• Scratching marks and noises that can be heard at night. Black rats are agile climbers and often found in lofts or roof areas.

• Rats will shred any available materials such as roof/geyser insulation, cardboard, and other soft items to make nests. If you find bits and pieces in what looks like a nest – you may have a problem.

If your rat infestation is a small one, you can use rat traps with bait and other alternatives, however, sorting out your property before the infestation becomes unmanageable, is strongly advised. Metric Investments has the correct solutions to combat this problem.

Cockroaches: Any housewife’s nightmare. The average cockroach lifespan is about twenty to thirty weeks given that the roach has ready access to food and water. The first stage in the life of cockroach females and males alike, is the egg stage. Eggs are produced in what are called egg capsules. Cockroaches are very resourceful insects that can enter your home in several different ways, including crawling inside through small holes and cracks in the building. Hitching a ride on bags, backpacks, suitcases, and other containers is one other way. Finding openings around doors and windows, coming up drainpipes in the kitchen and bathrooms. The cockroach infestation can become a problem if not treated as soon as discovered. There is an abundant source of easily obtained water and food In kitchens, allowing the roach population to increase rapidly in your home. A typical home has baseboards, crown moulding, wall art, furniture, large and small appliances, cabinets, boxes, kitchen drawers and closets that are ideal hiding places for cockroaches, which makes them even harder to detect.

Treatments can include peppermint oil, cedarwood oil, and cypress oil. These are essential oils that effectively keep cockroaches at bay. Additionally, these insects hate the smell of crushed bay leaves and steer clear of coffee grounds. If you want to try a natural way to kill them, combine powdered sugar and boric acid. There are many sprays on the market shelves that will work very well, however if your problem is a more serious threat, consult with Metric Investments as soon as possible.

Remember that it is important to keep your family, as well as your property safe from pests. Whilst you should definitely contact a pest control service if you suspect, or know of a problem, if can also be extremely helpful to conduct regular pest control services in order to keep pests at bay.