Author name: Mark

How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths Request Quote here Whats munching on my best Dress To kill the enemy you need to know your enemy!! There is a common misconception that the flying moths are the ones chomping on your favourite garments, well this is not the case. Like all insects they go through stages of metamorphosis. The moth goes through complete metamorphosis meaning they start as an egg, turn into a larvae (maggot like), then pupae (solid maggot) and then an adult moth. In simple terms, imagine the caterpillar to a butterfly, it’s the same process. The adult moth causes no harm whatsoever to your clothing, however the larvae stage is doing all the damage! What do they like to eat? Clothes moth larvae will only feed on natural fibres such as wool and silk. Any materials that are non natural such as polyester they will not feast on. Where are they? Clothes moths unlike other moths are not big lovers of light. They prefer dark, undisturbed and warm places. If your carpets are made of natural fabric then you need to check under the beds and furniture. Rugs underneath tables that never get trodden on, or the old rugs in the loft are favourites also. Think of the clothing in your wardrobe, especially paying attention to silk linings of handbags that haven’t been touched in ages or old shoes and boots with wool linings. If something is not getting used or washed regularly then that’s a good place to start. And don’t put used clothes back in the cupboards. Moths love to feast on human sweat and food particles. Treat your clothes now! If you are noticing your favourite Christmas jumper is becoming a little moth eaten then action needs to be taken. Wash or dry clean all of your clothes (and curtains and upholstery, too). Freeze anything you can fit on your freezer shelves; sub-zero temperatures kill larvae, although make sure you put clothes in plastic bags prior to freezing to avoid a condensation build-up. Keep them in there for 48 hours. Wash clothing at 60’C and above. Visit our self help page for far more detailed information on what to do in treating clothing. Once you have treated your clothes DO NOT put them back in any rooms where the carpets and rugs have not been treated. What about the rugs and carpets? DIY insecticides can be brought from shops or online to treat the areas. Ensure the affected carpets are thoroughly treated and rugs must be treated both size! We would always recommend calling a fully insured specialist pest control company like PestGone to fumigate the entire property and take the stress and back breaking away from yourselves. Vet your vintage Vintage clothes should always be dry cleaned before being introduced to your wardrobe, as they are often the source of infestations. Be vigilant Keep checking your clothes for moth holes, keep rooms well-ventilated as temperatures start to rise, and keep a natural oil diffuser in your wardrobe at all times – it smells great and wards off moths. Moth pheromone ‘monitors’ are also a good precautionary measure; keep them hanging on your rail at all times but these will only attract the male adult moths. Request Quote here

Asian Hornet Warning Request Quote here Asian Hornets invading our Shores? Asian Hornets are often feared come summer, being an invasive species which preys on honeybees. If you see an Asian hornet or think you may have, you are encouraged to report it as the deadly insects can cause significant losses to bee colonies, other native species and potentially ecosystems. The deadly insect preys on native honeybees, and have been spotted in the UK since 2016. However, while the hornets are deadly, this is only in relation to their negative effect on the UK’s ecosystem. In fact, a sting from an Asian hornet is no worse than other British wasps and bees. While it may hurt and throb for a few hours, the pain will eventually die down – though it is important to note that as with all venom, there is a risk of anaphylaxis which is a severe allergic reaction that can be fatal. What Impact could this insect have on the UK? Each summer, pest controllers are on constant watch for Asian giant hornets, which have settled in nearby countries like France and pose a huge concern for the UK economy. These hornets prey on Honey Bees, which do so much good with cross pollinating crops and plants, that if we lost them tomorrow, it would cost the farming industry about £1.8billion a year in manual pollination services. What are the tell tale signs? The key identifying features of Asian hornets are: body – generally dark in colour, black/dark brown rear – key feature is dark brown with a distinct yellow/mustard band waist – fine, bright yellow ‘belt’ legs – brown upper part with distinct yellow lower leg, in fact it is often called the yellow-legged hornet head – black head with orange / yellow face shape – sleek, wasp / hornet-like as opposed to plump, hairy, bee-like or fly-like with large compound eyes size – it is slightly smaller than the native European Hornet but larger than the Common Wasp. Worker hornets measure up to 25mm, queens 33mm in length What to do if you see one? Unless you’re allergic, thankfully Asian Hornets are not usually dangerous to humans. The Asian Hornet is not generally aggressive, although the stings can be painful and a very small number of people might be allergic to the sting. If you see an Asian Hornet or an Asian Hornet nest, it’s best to report the sighting, and not deal with the insect(s) yourself. You should report all sightings of concern rapidly here or through the Asian Hornet Watch app. Request Quote here

BedBugs Numbers Reducing, But For How Long? Request Quote here One COVID upside: The pandemic kept bedbugs at bay? That’s good news for London, one of the country’s top locations for the pest. The bad news: The insects aren’t gone. They latch onto clothes and luggage in search of human blood. But less travel during the pandemic has helped keep away these unwanted visitors: bed bugs. Pest professionals have gotten fewer calls over the last year in part because the insects, which like to settle into mattresses, haven’t been able to spread as widely. Bed bugs typically spread through human movement and can be found anywhere humans linger, including homes, hotels, hospitals and cars. Their bites are painless but they are difficult to eliminate. They were nearly eradicated in the UK in the 1940s because of restrictions on pesticides, but the bed bug population spiked again in the early 2000s with an increase in international travel. Are they gone from the UK? No!! Bedbugs can lay dormant for up to a year without feeding. Therefore properties such as houses of multiple occupancy (HMO’s) that may have been empty through the pandemic, partly due to people moving out for outside space or work related matters, will soon become lived in again, where this pest will come out from hiding. We are confident in saying their numbers have reduced dramatically in the UK but they are not gone and sadly, never will be with the ease and frequency of travel. What are the tell tale signs? Check your bed for any of these and, if you think you’ve got them, read on for details on how to get rid of them. 1. Small bugs or tiny white eggs in the crevices and joints of your mattress and furniture – use a bright torch to check for these. 2. Bites on your skin. 3. Tiny black spots on your mattress – this could be their dried poo. 4. Mottled bedbug shells – bedbugs shed their skin as they grow. 5. Blood spots on your sheets – these can occur if you squash a bug after it has fed. 6. An unpleasant, musty scent in your bedroom. If you have bites and they are incredibly itchy, mild steroid cream or antihistamine tablets can relieve them. Scratching can lead to bacteria entering the bite which can cause infections. See your GP if you’re worried you have infected bedbug bites. What to do if you see one? Wash infested bedding and clothes on a hot wash (60C) or put them in a dryer on a hot setting for 30mins. Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up any bugs you can see – then throw away the contents in a sealed bag. If you have a heavy infestation, consider throwing away your mattress and use a plastic mattress cover to stop bedbugs getting in or out. Bedbugs are very difficult to get rid of so If you suspect you have an infestation, professional help is your best bet. Contact your local council or a pest control firm who will help use treatments like insecticides to get rid of the bedbugs. Request Quote here

Brown Ants Causing Structural Damage in your Home? Request Quote here Brown Ants Known as Brown ants, this species builds their nests inside woods but does not consume any wooden material during the process. In the UK, these ants are seen inside properties where wood has been used during the building and renovation process for both – the exterior and interior of the building. Formica ligniperda, their technical name, also collects honeydew from aphids by stroking them with their antennae. Brown ants are a UK pest that is often overlooked, but they shouldn’t be taken lightly. They can cause serious problems for homeowners. With Spring comes an increase in temperature, which means that Brown ants are on the march and likely to become a big problem for many people. Behaviour Because of their affinity for living inside wooden structures, the Formica ligniperda workers can cause terrible structural damage to buildings. On the other side, the fact that these ants successfully excavate wood helps greatly for the decomposition of forests around the world. Nesting High levels of humidity is necessary for the Brown ants to build and maintain their primary nests in good condition as they are very sensitive to humidity in general. Satellite nests are built later when the workers in the primary nest become mature enough. The resident nests are home to life forms at earlier stages of the development of the species such as larvae and pupae. Brown ants make their nests in old, decaying wood. Because they like damp wood, they are normally found living outdoors. However, they sometimes come to nest inside people’s homes. Common signs of Brown ants include small piles of sawdust, dead ant parts lying around, small bore holes and wood damage. You can sometimes hear soft crunching noises. n the primary nests live the workers, their queen, recently hatched larvae and eggs that have just been laid. Satellite nests do not require the same requirements for humidity such as the primary nests and can be built in places that are somewhat dry such as inside fallen woods. Feeding habits This Ant is a carnivorous species but also scavenges food different from animals. Dead insects are in the menu of the Brown ant quite frequently but they also consume honeydew from aphids and nectar from plants. Brown ants eat any sugary source of food such as honey and fruit juices, that’s why it’s important to always take care of proper food storage in your home so you don’t attract these insects with your negligence in the kitchen. You are most likely to spot Brown ants in your home during the night as they are more active then. Take a good care of any other dead insects in the premises in order to avoid attracting Brown ants which would feed on these deceased insects for sure. Can Ants Cause Structural Damage in the UK? As mentioned above, Brown ants are among the most destructive ant species of all. The can damage wooden elements of a structure so bad so the integrity of the building is no longer reliable. This is why we recommend hiring professional ant exterminators in the beginning when you notice signs of an ant infestation. Pharaoh ants, on the other hand, cannot cause structural damage. How To Tell The Difference Brown ants are often black in colour with a gingery thorax, but they can also be brown or reddish-brown all over. They are larger than the size of a normal black ant, but come in a variety of sizes. You can tell them apart from most other types of ant by their heart shaped head. They also have large sticky out bent at nearly right angles antenna. Request Quote here

Of Mice And Men – A Pest Controllers Most Common Adversary Request Quote here The Mus (Mice) Mice, like men are sometimes a victim of a cruel fate or destiny, as described in John Steinbecks novel. A fate that most home owners of an infested property prey for. Mice are a part of the British wildlife – but when they take up residence with you, they can be a cause for concern. Active all year round, mice are one of our most common adversary in this game of pest control. House mice are small mammals of the order Rodentia. The Latin term for gnaw is rodere, and this is where rodents get their name from. Dangers of House Mice Although house mice are often considered to be cute by some people, they are a public health pest and can cause serious harm. Mice have been known to spread nasty diseases – such as Salmonella and Listeria – to humans through their urine, droppings and bedding. Mice have a need to mark their territory with their urine and due to their sporadic eating habits, build nests near food sources. This puts anyone with an infestation at risk of food poisoning. As they scurry around, they carry dirt and bacteria with them, transferring it to your counter tops, cabinets, pantry and anywhere else they travel. These nibbling nuisances can also cause a lot of property damage, due to their compulsive need to gnaw to maintain their teeth at a constant length. Electric cables, water and gas pipes, packaging and woodwork may all be seriously damaged by mice – many instances of electrical fires and floods have been attributed to them. How to prevent house mice Prevention is better than cure, so let’s take a look at how we can accomplish that. Mice only need a gap of 5mm to gain entry (roughly the diameter of the eraser end of a pencil). You will need to search for any potential entry points and seal these up with wire wool embedded in quick-setting cement. Proofing all means of entry as much as possible will help to prevent an infestation. Other steps you should take are: Remove potential nesting sites by keeping gardens clean and tidy, cutting back overgrown areas and clearing any piles of wood/debris Cover any household waste where mice can get access to it, close dustbin lids and cover compost heaps Store food in airtight containers and make sure any food debris is cleaned up straight away Install door sweeps or door brush strip on exterior doors, if the gap is larger than 4mm. Good hygiene practices won’t eliminate a mouse problem, but poor practices will attract them. Professional pest control For any house mouse infestation, we would always recommend contacting a trusted insured company. They are trained in mouse control and will have access to a range of professional use rodenticides which are not available to the public. Knowing how much, where, and when to deploy products is where professionals are able to take control of situations efficiently. Professional pest controllers will take an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to tackling your infestation. A pest professional will have access to monitoring equipment, which they will use to confirm entry points into your property, the size of the infestation and to track the mouse to its harbourage (nest). They can then recommend a proofing strategy and decide on the best course of action in terms of control; this could be traps, rodenticides or a combination of both. Request Quote here

Are Foxes Protected from Fox Pest Control Services? Request Quote here Fantastic Mr Fox Foxes are natural scavengers and are becoming an ever-increasing sight in our major towns and cities. Most urban foxes are now beginning not to see us as a threat, but more as a food provider. Leaving rubbish out with left over food in accessible plastic bags will attract most vermin, especially foxes. We recommend keeping such bags in tougher containers or plastic wheelie bins. We also advise ensuring any hutched animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens be kept in secure bordered areas to prevent foxes gaining entry. Protection Laws Foxes are protected under a series of wildlife protection laws against poisoning, gassing, asphyxiating, maiming, stabbing, impaling, drowning, clubbing and most forms of snaring, with anyone convicted of carrying out such acts liable to 6 months imprisonment and/or a £5,000 fine per animal. The fox is sometimes referred to as vermin, but it is not, and never has been categorised as such by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). HOWEVER foxes are NOT protected against shooting. A single shot which will cull the animal instantly is the only legal form of eradication. Some pest controllers may charge large fees to cage-trap nuisance foxes which are then set loose miles away. A fox dropped off (known as ‘hard-release) in a strange territory will find itself in competition for food with resident foxes. This puts the animal under undue stress and therefore is almost certainly an offence of cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and is condemned by the government’s DEFRA. Deterrents There are a number of different deterrent scents on the market people may wish to try first, with ‘Scoot’ being the favoured choice by many. Some customers we know even put their urine in Jars around the garden in the hope the local foxes will move on. More often than not, these efforts will not make the problem animal go away. A female fox, known as a vixen, will not leave the territory and den if she has cubs no matter what scent is placed down near her. The same goes with large male foxes, known as dogs. Do Foxes Carry Harmful Diseases? In the UK, there is little or no danger of contracting disease from foxes. The last case of canine rabies, once widespread in the UK, was in 1902, since when the disease has rapidly receded over most of Europe. Some foxes will have mange or scabies which is a parasite that lives and breeds on the animal. This parasite can be transferred to pets but is treatable with approved veterinary products. So What is the Best Way to Stop Foxes? If you have foxes stealing your washing off the line, shoes at the back door, digging up your newly planted flowers, damaging your gardens irrigation system, fouling over the kids trampoline and play area, killing your chickens, rabbits or guinea pigs then there are a few options that can alleviate the problem. Firstly, proofing works can be carried out. Extensive fencing and digging in steal barriers around the gardens edge to stop new foxes entering below the neighbours fence can be achieved but at great cost, as well as at an aesthetical cost, with the garden looking somewhat like a prison cage. Secondly, removing any shelters, food sources or general clutter that may be attracting foxes. Over grown gardens which provide adequate shelter such as decking and sheds placed on soft soil which the fox can dig below and create a den, are all favoured spots for the fox. Food waste not in hardened bins will attract all manner of vermin such as mice and rats which the fox will see as a food source and stay local to the area. It may be the neighbours property that is causing the animal to stay local so working together as the local community will certainly be advantages in the long term. Finally, culling the animal using highly trained personnel will remove the immediate animal from the area. If, as we have highlighted above, the area is attractive to foxes then further foxes may be seen after a month or two once the scent of the original fox culled in that territory has been removed. For further information about our services then please visit our Fox page here Request Quote here