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How To Control Rats – Pest Control For Rats “I smell a rat” – Thomas Middleton Dealing with any pest infestation can be disruptive, taxing, timely and very upsetting; our professional team at PestGone Environmental understands the impact Rats control problems can have on homes, offices and business establishments as well as busy public space. Request Quote here Rats Control Problems A particularly popular request and the persistent problem we get from clients is an outbreak of rats in any given area. So, what can be done? Rats are rodents, rodents that can be very tricky to remove. A rat infestation can cause serious and hazardous problems to buildings whether holes have been made, wires may have been chewed, the main structure of the building can quite easily be damaged, and food and drink can be overwhelmingly contaminated, all while quite famously carrying diseases. These types of outbreaks really need to be contained by experienced professionals. Our team is experienced, eager and know how to rid you of those unwanted guests ensuring the problem is removed and given the appropriate aftercare to not be repeated. It is common for people to fear rats more than rats fear us; maybe its’s the living memory of the plague in London, maybe it’s because they are highly intelligent, maybe it’s because they are rapid or perhaps it’s because they happily invite all their friends and family to any resident they move themselves into. Whatever your reasons for hating these rodents, they have outstayed their welcome. We work to not only remove the rats, but we also use our skills and knowledge to rat-proof your property, so this kind of infestation does not become a regular occurrence. So, how can we control the problem from repeating itself: Act First As soon as you realise there is a rat issue, contact us. Rats can cause severe damage to the bones of your building and to your health. Delay can only increase these problems. Location, Isolation and Inspection Getting to the root of where the infestation is, is key. Request Quote here

What Is The Point of Wasps? Request Quote here What do Wasps Actually Do? When we think about wasps it usually brings back a painful memory of a burning sting that was induced by this evil flying devil! Whether being stung as a child or an adult, it still brings back this smarting thought if one gets too close. If a wasp does enter your personal space it usually results in a lot of flailing arms, accompanied by some ducking and diving in a pub beer garden, normally to the amusements of others. People may compare Wasps to Bees, and associate Bees to making honey which we love. Bees are less aggressive and will only attack as a last resort due to dying almost immediately after releasing their sting. So due to being honey makers, great pollinators and sacrificing themselves for the good of their species we love bees and rightly so. That said, wasps do actually have some use. In fact, every single living species on earth serves some sort of purpose to our ecosystem and our yellow and black unfriendly friends are no exception. So what is this purpose it serves? Every living species on Earth has a role to play with each creature interacting with nature. It makes an impact and leaves its own footprint in some way. Think back to your biology class where you may have touched on the relationship between a predator and it’s prey. Imagine if the predator becomes extinct, what adverse effect will this have on the prey species or the environment. What would happen if lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and other predators of the African Savannah become extinct? There will be no predators to hunt the grazing animals, the population of wildebeests, gazelles, and other herbivores will increase and will run a riot on the Savannah, thus destroying the vegetation cover. Wasps serve a similar purpose to the big cats and carnivores of the Savannah. They are hunters. Wasps feed on other insects and often attack insects that are considered a pest. This makes them a natural regulator of the insect population. Without the “Angry Evil Wasp” tons of other insects will overrun our gardens and crop fields which may negatively impact our food resources. Therefore the main purpose of wasps would be to act as a natural regulator of the population of other insects. Do Wasps Pollinate? We touched on earlier about the relationship of Bees and Wasps. We all know bees are great pollinators. In fact we have this taught to us at a very young age and believe that it’s only bees that pollinate and no other insects do. This is simply not true. Even just the natural air currents from the wind play a big role when it comes to cross pollination. Bees are quite furry insects and its these hairs that trap pollen for it to be transported to other plants. Wasps are not thought to be hairy but again, that’s not true. Wasps have some thin hairs as our picture shows and it’s these strands that will help transport pollen. Plus, wasps just disturbing the flowers will allow pollen to enter the atmosphere and be carried away by the natural air currents. Interesting Facts Only female wasps have stingers and all worker wasps are female. Potential queens and drones from the same nest use facial recognition to prevent cross-breeding. One nest may produce 30,000 wasps in a year Wasps are not known to sleep at night, however they will be motionless for many hours resting. Certain wasps will act as sentry’s for the hive and these can be seen patrolling on the outside of the nest. The Japanese hornet is known for flying roughly 60 miles every day at a top speed of 25 mph. This is astonishing considering that it is also the heaviest hornet on Earth. It’s not the cold that kills off the nest in the winter, it’s the lack of food with the flowers dying resulting in the wasps starving. Request Quote here

Am I Attracting Pests To My Home? The best way to control pests in your house? Don’t make it enticing for them to live there. Use this list to help you reduce the odds on pests taking up residence. Request Quote here Why do pests like me and my home so much?! Pests may have a multitude of reasons for liking your home, some of which may be out of your control entirely. For instance, the location of your house plays a big factor on what pest species you may encounter. If you live in the countryside surrounded by water ways and lakes you will obviously be greeted with a lot more blood suckers like mosquito’s and midges as well as a whole host of other insects. If you’re an urban dweller then you will be more likely to encounter rodents such as mice and rats. It’s simple to understand really, If your home is in a populated city or big town, with far more people living on top of each other producing large amounts of food waste, this will in turn allow more pests to thrive and their numbers grow. What control measures can you put in place? There are number of things you and your family might be doing to attract these little flying and scuttling night scarers. Putting in place your own control measures to prevent enticing pests can save a lot of time, money and worry. Below are our top 11 tips to reduce attracting pest! Lighting If you’re someone who likes to leave every light on making the home so bright it can be seen from space then you’ll likely attract most pests. Flying insects such as moths, gnats and others will swarm to the light show. Using calmer yellow lights will help reduce some of this insect activity. Damp and moisture Excessive moisture will attract common insect pests such as cockroaches and ants. Slugs can also invade a home if enough damp is present. Fixing leaking pipes and not allowing water to stagnate in basements or below floors is essential. Warmth When the weather turns cold outside, many pests look for a cozy winter home—and your place may just be the perfect spot. One little miss conception people do have is that they believe mice live outside in gardens and come in over winter. That’s not entirely the case. House mice are called house mice for one simple reason, they generally live in houses . During the warmer months they may take up residence in your shed or garage but over winter will seek a cosy hot boiler pipe in your home to snuggle up too. Rats and squirrels may also do the same along with certain insects. Food Spills happen—but if even a little bit of the mess is left behind, the mice and insects simply can’t resist. “Spilled food crumbs in your kitchen contain a veritable feast for rodents and insects such as cockroaches, ants, mice and rats. Regular cleanups—including moving and vacuuming behind the fridge and if possible oven is advised. Rubbish bins The smell of food waste may be completely unpleasant to your nose, but for insects like flies and cockroaches, it’s like a siren call. You probably already know the secret to stopping this—contain your waste. If not contained then this will also attract mice and rats which will try almost everything to get at the food goodness. Make sure when you take out the rubbish it is bagged and the bin is tightly closed, or in the morning your trash will be everywhere with foxes having a go. Clutter Here’s another incentive to get rid of your extra stuff—all that clutter can make wonderful homes for critters you definitely don’t want hanging around your house. “If clutter is kept to a minimum, and a home is kept relatively clean, there will be few places for insects to hide Pet Food If you have pet and are leaving food out over night or during the day when the home is quiet then you may be inadvertently be feeding other furried guests. Mice and rats will happily feed on almost all pet foods and on occasion squeeze through hamster or bunny cages to steal an easy meal. Just because you have a cat or a rodent hunting dog does not mean these pests will stay away. Bird Seeds We all like to do our bit for the natural wildlife and make our gardens more welcoming by given away a free meal. However, seeds that fall on to the floor will attract rats so having an overflow catchment tray is advised. Storage of the seeds should be in a toughened container and not left open in basements or loft spaces. An infestation can grow rapidly if this abundance of food if available to a pest. Dirty Dishes If you are someone who leaves your dirty plates till the morning then pests such as cockroaches, flies, ant, rats and mice will be lured in for a free meal. Cleaning dirty items immediately after each meal with washing up detergent will prevent pests being attracted to your kitchen. Paper Piles of papers that are rarely touched can be a big draw for silverfish and even cockroaches. To avoid having an insect infestation damage important papers, you should place them in tightly sealed plastic bins. Shredded paper will also be a draw for rodents such as mice and rats who will use this material to create a nice cosy comfy bed. Gaps and Cracks Rodents are always looking for tiny areas where they can sneak into your home, so gaps under external doors, around service pipework for gas and water, or damaged air bricks can be like a welcome mat for some unwelcome guests. Make sure you do a thorough walk around the outside of your home looking for entry points. We would advise also looking at your neighbours property if attached as pests on occasion can move between either the loft space

When Can I Remove a Birds Nest from my Roof Request Quote here Birds are Beautiful Birds provide the background music to our lives, singing happily in our gardens, streets and towns. Whether their song is waking us up in the morning or lulling us to sleep for an afternoon nap, you can’t deny England wouldn’t be complete without their serenade. These wonderful creatures treat us to dazzling flashes of reds, yellows and blues with their presence. These colours seem even more welcoming during the drab cold winter months. That said, for all the happiness they bring to us and the environment, there may be at times where they are somewhere undesirable to you, or somewhere unsafe for them. If this happens you will want to know the correct steps and safety measures to take on how to remove the nest. Know the Law Before you make any attempt at removing the nest please be aware that all birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law: the Wildlife & Countryside Act of 1981. This makes it an offence, with certain exceptions, to deliberately take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. It is also illegal to take or destroy the egg of any wild bird. So for this reason we recommend using a trusted and professional pest control company like PestGone to ensure the birds are removed safely and in accordance with the law. Bird Nest in my Roof Many birds use roof spaces for nesting, generally doing no harm whilst there. Because all wild birds and their active nests are protected by law, it would be a criminal offence to remove or block off an active nest. We recommend that any roofing work is scheduled to be done outside the spring and summer months when birds are likely to be nesting. Feral Pigeons As previously mentioned all wild birds are protected, even the feral pigeon. Although pigeons themselves are harmless, they can cause quite a bit of damage to your property, car, and may possibly introduce disease-bearing mites or ticks into your home. Pigeons can and will leave a stupid amount of poo, feathers and mess wherever they’re nesting. Blocking the pigeons out of your roof space is the best way to prevent this happening again using sturdy materials to seal the entry points. When blocking the pigeons out you must make sure no eggs or live squabs and pigeons are remaining trapping the bird inside. Common Birds nesting in Roofs The most frequent roof-nesters are starlings and house sparrows, both of which are red listed because of major population declines. You may also be lucky to have a swift nesting inside your roof, or have house martins build their mud nests outside, under the eaves. If you have swifts nesting in your roof, please always allow them to continue to share your home. Swifts are quiet when inside the roof and cause no problems at all. They are suffering from a shortage of nesting sites, and any lost site can be very difficult to replace. House martins are amber listed because of their population decline, and should be allowed to nest wherever the droppings do not cause major problems. Young starlings can be noisy during the last few days before fledging, and it is understandable that a nest above a bedroom can be a nuisance. If such cavities must be made unavailable to the birds, any repair work is best carried out during autumn or winter, when one can be sure that birds are not nesting. If you must block off nesting holes, please consider placing suitable nesting boxes under the eaves or in other suitable locations to give the birds an alternative nest site. I Have no Choice but to Remove the Nest. If the birds are in danger or there is a public health and safety, disease or damage issue, then you can discuss the situation with a Natural England Wildlife Adviser or Wildlife Licensing Unit on 0845 6014523 or email wildlife@naturalengland.org.uk who can advise you on the best course of action. It may be necessary to apply for a licence from one of the authorities above to move a nest. Disturbing a nesting site without a licence is an offence and can result in a fine or a custodial sentence. Please note that it is not possible to issue licences to move birds’ nests in relation to damage to property or to enable development/building works. Health & Safety If you have gained the correct licence from natural England, or the nest is redundant then you can set about removal. Loft spaces can be very dangerous so care must be taken when physically walking or crawling. Adequate lighting must cover all areas of the attic using stand alone lamps or at the very least bright torches to guide the way. If your loft does not have wooden flooring installed then moving between the roofs wooden framework can be tricky. Standing on the insulation which has been placed on top of the plasterboard ceiling will likely result in you falling through, possibly harming yourself. We would always recommend having a person overseeing your efforts in case you do get into difficulty. If you are not confident then we would always recommend getting the services of either the RSPB or a fully insured professional pest control company like PestGone. Request Quote here

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