Can You Spot the Signs of Pests?

By: Dr Gareth Evans - Updated: 26 May 2015 | *Discuss

 

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We’re always being told to be vigilant when it comes to pests and keep an eye out for the early signs of trouble. It is, of course, true that it’s easier to deal with a problem before it becomes entrenched, but you’ve obviously got to know what to look for if this approach is going to work.

Do you? If your plants are being munched or your food being gnawed, do you instantly know who’s the likely culprit, or is this the point you phone a friend and ask for advice?

Try our quick quiz to see if you can spot the signs of pests – the answers are at the bottom, so have fun and good luck!

1. Which is the most likely FIRST SIGN of mice?

• a) Actually seeing a mouse
• b) Footprints
• c) Droppings

2. Which of these is NOT likely to indicate a rat problem?

• a) Chewed electrical cables
• b) Bark chewed off your trees
• c) Large holes in your shed

3.What does a flea bite look like?

• a) A red spot, surrounded by an area of redness
• b) A blue spot, surrounded by an area of redness
• c) A red spot surrounded by an area of blueness

4. Clubroot is a pest of cabbages, stocks and wall flowers; which of these is NOT a sign of it ?

• a) Swollen and distorted roots
• b) Small, stunted plants that die early
• c) Greyish mould spots on the underside of a yellowing leaf

5.Large reddish blisters on the leaves of peach, cherry or almond trees are a sign of:

• a) Peach Leaf Curl
• b) Cherry Blister Disease
• c) Almond Wart

6. What’s the give-away sign of a Cabbage Root Fly infestation?

• a) The plant turns yellowish and tastes bitter
• b) The leaves have a bluish tinge and the plant wilts in the sun
• c) The roots swell and break the surface in severe cases

7. When is your BEST chance to spot a tick on your cat or dog?

• a) Before it bites
• b) Once it has begun to feed
• c) Once it has stopped feeding

8.Which of the following are signs to look out for if you suspect bed-bugs ?

• a) Clusters of 1mm long, pearly-white eggs
• b) Spots of dark droppings
• c) Their shed skins

9. The 5mm-long larvae of the carpet beetle are instantly recognisable – but how?

• a) By their hairy bodies and spiky tail bristles
• b) By their yellow and green stripes
• c) By their prominent red eyes

10. Which of the following is a sign of silverfish activity?

• a) Holes in the carpet or curtains
• b) Yellowish stains and notches on paper and old books
• c) 2mm holes in woodwork and furniture

Answers

2. (b), bark chewed off tends to indicates rabbits or deer, depending how far up the tree it happens.

3. (a), flea bites typically appear as a red spot, surrounded by an area of redness, which can last for a few hours – and is usually very itchy!

4. (c), greyish mould on the underside of a yellowing leaf is not a sign of clubroot – it’s more likely to be downy mildew.

5. (a), those red blisters are a symptom of Peach Leaf Curl – which also, confusingly, affects almonds and cherries.

6. (b), if you’re bothered by cabbage root fly, then the leaves will take on a characteristic bluish tinge and the plant will wilt readily in the sun.

7. (b), you’re most likely to see a tick on your pet once it has begun to feed. Before that it’s quite small and hard to see, and after it’s fed, it’ll drop off and hide until it’s hungry again, but while it’s actually feeding, its bag-like body swells up to the size of a small pea, making it much easier to spot amongst the fur.

8. Actually, they all are – so one point each!

9. (a), Carpet Beetle larvae are instantly recognisable by their hairy bodies and spiky tail bristles, which give them their common name – “woolly bears.”

10. (b), yellowish stains and notches on paper and old books can often point to silverfish.

How Did You Do?

• 12 – No flies on you!
• 7 to 11 – Pretty well protected.
• 2 to 6 – A little chewed.
• 0 to 2 – Full of holes!

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