Plaster Beetle Treatments Manchester

Plaster Beetles

Also known as Mould Beetles, these small insects thrive in damp environments and can easily spread to properties through water damaged areas or poorly maintained plaster. While not essentially dangerous themselves, they can spread disease and food-poisoning if allowed contact with foodstuffs or surfaces, will burrow into damp plaster and wood and cause some damage, and are indicative of a wider problem with damp in your property.

What to look for when dealing with Plaster Beetles:

Plaster beetles are quite small, usually less than 2mm in length, and are commonly a yellow or reddish brown, or dark brown in colour. Their wing covers usually stay closed over their wings and
rear bodies and have several rows of tiny holes, giving them a perforated look.
They feed on mould and fungus and in nature are usually found in damp environments such as under rocks or rotting wood, or in decaying matter. They will enter human homes and properties if damp or water damage has caused plaster or brickwork to decay, or if a moisture problem has caused mould to grow. They will often be found in basement or cellar areas, bath traps or attic spaces if the roof has a leak.

What can you do if you have a Plaster Beetles problem?

There are a few simple steps that can be taken to reduce the potential of a plaster beetle problem, mostly based around controlling the environment in your property to ensure that conditions are not suitable for the beetles. Here’s a quick guide to things that you can check and do:

• Keep it dry – reducing the moisture and humidity in your property will reduce the risk of damp that can encourage mould growth. Repair any plumbing leaks or problems quickly to
  reduce the potential damage caused by water and make sure that downspouts and gutters are draining away from the foundations of the house. Ensure that crawlspaces and vents are kept clear to allow air to circulate. No damp means no mould, which means no food for the beetles.
• Shut it up – check the seals around pipework, windows and doors to ensure that your property is not easily accessible to pests.
• Vacuum regularly to remove beetle carcasses, live beetles and eggs if you do notice a problem.
• Keep it warm – heating your property to above 110° Fahrenheit/43° Celsius will kill adult plaster beetles in a day or less. Keeping your property generally warm, as well as dry, will reduce the chances of any damp developing.

Dealing with a problem:

If you suspect or discover a plaster beetle problem in your property, contact us as soon as possible to arrange a visit from one of our technicians. They will conduct a thorough assessment of your property and identify the extent of the problem before employing the most appropriate treatment, usually an insecticide dust that can be deployed in the affected areas.

It’s important to remember that as Plaster Beetles are only present in damp conditions, it’s best to deal with the damp itself first before treating the pest problem. While the beetles are easy to exterminate, leaving the damp conditions in place will only encourage another infestation.

Protec Pest Control are fully accredited by the British Pest Control Association and approved by Safecontractor and Trading Standards. Our treatments conform to the highest regulatory and safety
standards and our technicians can visit at a time suitable for you.

You can contact us via our website www.protecpestcontrol.co.uk or via telephone on 0161 448 1782 to arrange a visit and treatment as soon as possible. We cover the entire Manchester and Stockport areas and will be more than happy to provide you with fast, efficient and cost-effective treatments and advice.