FAQ

Mites are microscopic arthropods that belong to the order of Arachnida (Family: Pyroglyphidae). They are not visible to the naked eye, as their size is approximately 0.2–0.3 mm. They do not live parasitically on humans but mainly feed on dead skin cells.

Usually, their populations are found in:

• Mattresses and pillows, as they provide food and suitable conditions.
• Blankets and bedding.
• Carpets and rugs, where dust particles are retained.
• Furniture with fabric upholstery, such as sofas.
• Curtains and fabrics in general.
• Bookcases and objects with accumulated dust.

Although mites themselves are not dangerous, the waste and allergens they produce can cause various types of allergic reactions. It's essential to maintain a clean space with proper ventilation to reduce their presence

The most common symptoms of mite allergy are the appearance of rhinitis, asthma and dermatitis.
It is worth noting that each organism may react in a completely different way or not react at all. 

We can protect ourselves from dust mites by following the steps below:

• Reducing the humidity in the room
• Provide good and regular ventilation of the room
• Regular changing of sheets, covers, bedding, throws
• Regular carpet cleaning
• Preventive use of acaricidal products

Using an acaricidal product approved for use on mattresses, we can clean a mattress of dust mites ourselves and thus get rid of their nuisance effects.

The most common signs of having high levels of mites in the home are various types of allergic reactions such as rhinitis, asthma and dermatitis.
It is worth noting that each organism may react in a completely different way or not react at all. 

To determine if you have bed bugs in your home, you can look for the following signs:

Bites on your body: These often appear in a straight line or clusters and cause itching. However, recent research indicates that bed bug bites can result in nine different skin reactions or even no symptoms at all (usually in individuals with weaker immune systems, such as the elderly, or those who have been exposed before—e.g., men with past experiences of bites during military service).
Small blood stains: You may notice small blood spots on your bed sheets, mattresses, or sofa covers, originating from the bites.
Dark spots: These could be bed bug droppings and may appear on bedding, mattresses, or other surfaces.
Tiny eggs: Bed bug eggs are about 1 mm in size and are typically found along mattress seams or cracks near the bed/sofa. These signs are often easier to detect with a trained and experienced eye.
Alive bed bugs: Bed bugs are brownish or reddish, with adult bugs being the size and shape of a lentil. They may be visible in mattresses, furniture, or wall crevices. Since bed bugs are cryptic and nocturnal insects, spotting a bed bug moving around the house is a strong indication of a substantial population.
Characteristic musty or blood-like odor: In severe infestations, you may notice a distinctive odor.

If you suspect bed bugs, it is crucial to act promptly!

Bed bugs spread in several ways, and they are known for their ability to move from one place to another quite easily.

Here are some common ways they spread:

Luggage and clothing: Bed bugs often hide in suitcases, bags, or clothing, allowing them to travel between locations unnoticed.
Used furniture and mattresses: Bringing second-hand furniture or mattresses into your home can introduce bed bugs if these items are infested.
Hotels and accommodations: Bed bugs can spread through high-traffic places like hotels or hostels when they hitch a ride on your belongings.
Neighboring apartments: In apartment buildings, bed bugs can move between units through cracks, vents, or electrical conduits.
Public spaces and transport: Though less common, bed bugs can occasionally be picked up in crowded public places, such as buses, trains, or movie theaters.

Although a bedbug infestation can cause intense stress, the fact is that bedbugs are not disease vectors. 
However, the effects of the skin reactions and stress that a bedbug infestation can cause are not negligible. If you are experiencing a problem, it is important to take steps to eliminate them.

The food moth, commonly known as the "little butterflies" that appear in the kitchen (mainly Plodia spp. and Ephestia spp.), are insects that infest dry foods such as flour, cereals, nuts, pasta, and dried fruits. They are mainly found in kitchens and food storage areas, especially when food is not well-sealed. Their larvae feed on the food and create webs, degrading its quality.

Food moths, such as Plodia spp. and Ephestia spp., mainly prefer dry food stored in cupboards or storerooms. In particular, they attack:

Flour and semolina.
Cereals and pasta.
Dried fruits and seeds.
Dried fruit.
Spices and sugar.
Chocolate and cocoa.
Toast and biscuits.

It is their larvae that are of most concern, as they feed on the food and leave behind their tissues and droppings.

To get rid of the food moth you need:

• Thoroughly clean the cupboards in which you store food
• Throw away infested food and store the rest in airtight containers
• Use approved insect control products

If a food moth infestation is found, we do not need to throw away all the food we have stored. 

Food moths attack products such as cereals, flour, pasta, nuts, seeds, dried fruit and chocolate. Of these, those with open packages need to be discarded in order to remove the source of the infestation.

To keep your kitchen safe from food moths it is useful to:

• Store food in airtight containers.
• Clean your cupboards frequently and remove food debris.

Biocides/spraying insecticides/insecticides used for pest control, provided they are approved by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food (ΥΠΑΑΤ) and intended for a specific use, are completely safe for humans. A necessary condition is that their usage must always adhere to the instructions listed on the product’s label.

To achieve complete protection from mosquitoes, one needs to follow the following practices:

• Removing standing water to prevent them from breeding.
• Place and use screens on doors and windows to prevent their entry.
• Use of insect repellent bodies.
• Use of repellents (such as citronella products) in rest areas during the summer months (such as balconies, terraces)
• Use of long and light-coloured clothing.
• Carrying out insecticide spraying of insecticide products in the area where needed, in places where mosquitoes rest.

To avoid inviting mosquitoes to our balcony during the summer months, it is particularly important to avoid keeping standing water. Female mosquitoes approach stagnant water with the intention of laying eggs. Therefore, by watering plants for example and leaving saucers with excess water, this has the effect of keeping a breeding ground for mosquitoes in our home.

Mosquitoes are attracted by the CO₂ produced when people exhale, as well as by body temperature and sweat. Thus, people with a faster metabolic rate, pregnant women, obese people, and people after exercise seem to be a more attractive source of food for female mosquitoes. 
Also, research has shown that people with blood type 0 are much more attractive to mosquitoes than all other blood types.

Droppings
Small, black droppings (usually shaped like grains of rice) in areas frequented by rodents, such as near food, in corners, or inside cabinets.

Sounds
Noises like scratching or scurrying, especially at night, coming from walls, ceilings, or floors.

Gnaw Marks and Damages
Signs of teeth marks on wires, furniture, papers, or exposed food.

Grease Marks
Oily smudges or lines on walls and floors caused by rodents' bodies as they move around.

Nests
Materials like paper, fabrics, or plant fibers gathered in corners, crevices, or cabinets.

Odor
A strong, unpleasant smell, particularly if there are multiple rodents present.

Footprints and Tail Marks
In dusty areas, you might notice small footprints or lines from their tails.

There are many different types of rodents, but the most common ones we come across include:

Mice (Mus musculus): Common mice are small and agile, often living near human dwellings.

Rats (Rattus spp.): The two main types are the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the black rat (Rattus rattus). They are larger than mice and are often found in urban areas.

Field rodents (Microtus spp.): These are small rodents that live in rural areas and grasslands.

Sealing Entry Points
Seal cracks and holes: Rodents can squeeze through very small openings.
Protect windows and doors: Install screens, wire mesh, or specialized barriers.

Avoid Undisturbed Environments
Cleanliness of spaces: Keep your home tidy, removing food scraps and spills.
Food storage: Store food in sealed containers.
Garbage removal: Dispose of waste frequently and keep trash in tightly closed bins.

Use of Rodenticidal Products
Placement of bait stations: All rodenticidal products should be placed inside secure bait stations. Always follow the instructions on the product label.

Reproduction Rate of Rodents

Rats: Female rats can give birth every 3–4 weeks, with each litter consisting of 6–12 pups. A single pair of rats can result in hundreds of offspring within a year due to the rapid multiplication of their young.
Mice: Common mice are even more prolific, as a female can give birth approximately every 3 weeks, with 6–8 pups per litter. Within a year, this can lead to a population of hundreds of mice.

If you notice signs of rodents, acting quickly to control their population is essential.

After we get rid of rodents, we can then take some measures to prevent their reappearance. These measures include:

Sealing openings.
Avoiding the presence of undisturbed areas (e.g., vegetation that serves as a passage for entry into residential spaces, garbage, debris, etc.).
The preventive use of approved rodenticides within secure bait stations.

Preventing bedbugs from entering the house consists of simple steps: 

• Travel caution: when traveling, check the room of accommodation for signs of bedbugs. Avoid leaving luggage on the floor or near the bed of the accommodation. When returning home, scrupulously avoid leaning the suitcase on the bed or couch for easy emptying. We choose to leave the suitcase outdoors, bring the clothes home (ideally to be washed) and then after cleaning the suitcase, put it back in place.
• Avoid second-hand items: check used furniture or items carefully before bringing them into your home. 
• Cleanliness: Vacuum regularly and wash bedding at high temperatures (the temperature that kills all stages of bug development is ~50^o C for at least 1 hour)

Eradicating bedbugs can be a challenge, but it is achievable with concerted action. Bedbugs hide in small cracks and reproduce quickly, but by following the guidelines below, you can deal with them:

• Locate and clean areas where they may be nesting (e.g. mattresses, furniture).
• Use a vacuum cleaner to remove eggs and adult insects.
• Wash fabrics and bedding at high temperatures.
• Consider professional extermination if the problem is extensive.

With careful and systematic handling, you can get rid of these unwanted guests.

Cockroaches mainly come from places that offer them warmth, moisture and food.

They can enter the house through open doors, windows, cracks in the walls or even be carried through objects such as cartons or bags.

Cockroaches prefer to hide in dark, damp and warm places where they can find food and protection. In particular, inside the house they can hide:

In the kitchen: Under sinks, behind electrical appliances (such as refrigerators, microwaves), inside cabinets or drawers where food is stored.
In the bathroom: In or around drains, behind toilet bowls, or under sinks.
In cracks and gaps: On walls, floors, behind boards, and in other small crevices.
In the storage room or basement: If there are boxes, piles of paper or old items, cockroaches often hide there.
Behind or inside furniture: Dark and rarely used furniture can become a hiding place.

To get rid of cockroaches, we just need to follow some simple instructions in our daily routine:

• Cleanliness: Frequent sweeping and mopping, as well as removing crumbs and food debris
• Control the humidity in the room: As cockroaches prefer damp, warm and dark areas, it is useful to check and if necessary repair pipes
• Preventative Application of cockroach-killing food-attractant gels or traps in the places where they prefer to live.

Below is a detailed table with the characteristics of the 3 most commonly found cockroach species.

There are several signs that can indicate the existence of cockroaches in the house. Some of the most common include:

Excrement: Small, dark spots that look like peppercorns or brown, usually near places where they hide or move.
Oothecae: Cockroaches leave brown or reddish-brown egg cases that look like small brown wallets in hidden places, such as behind furniture or near corners.
Unpleasant smell: Large infestations can cause a persistent, moldy smell due to pheromones and cockroach secretions.
Live cockroaches: The most obvious sign, especially if you see them at night when they are most active.
Dead cockroaches: Finding cockroach carcasses, especially near water or food sources.
Damage to food or materials: Cockroaches may leave bite marks on food, paper, or other materials.

Ants are not dangerous to human health.

Ants appear in the house mainly for three reasons: to search for food, water or shelter. They are attracted to sweet, fatty or protein-rich foods, as well as crumbs or leaks. They may also enter if their nest is disturbed outdoors or if there is a drought that causes them to seek moisture.

Fleas are usually found in places where they can hide and breed. In particular:

• On pets: Fleas prefer to live on the fur of animals, such as dogs and cats.
• On animals: pet bedding, carpets, and areas where animals spend time.
• Dark and damp places: cracks and corners with dust (near where they will easily locate their host).
• Clothes and shoes: They can be carried from outdoors through clothing or shoes.
• Areas with rodents: If there are mice or rats in areas of the home, fleas and rodents may coexist.

Fleas can be a public health hazard. They are carriers of pathogenic micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites, which can cause diseases such as salmonella, typhus and infections. In addition, their bite can cause allergic reactions in some cases.