Ants
Ants can become a health risk (particularly in food preparation areas) when consistently entering a property, we can assist with treatments that give very successful, rapid solutions. The commonest species that invades houses is the Black Garden Ant. It is the foraging worker ants that invade buildings, they are 3 - 5mm in length and are attracted to sweet foods which they collect to feed to the larvae and queen. Mating ants are winged and have a swarming flight in late summer. Mating takes place in the air before the female then seeks out a nest site for the winter, she lays eggs the following spring to begin a new colony.

Ghost Ants are becoming more common in heated buildings. These ants have dark heads and thoraxes, the legs, antennae, and abdomen are so light that these ants are often difficult to see. Ghost Ants are difficult to eradicate and you will require the assistance of a professional operator.

Pharoah Ants are difficult to eradicate, good hygiene is essential and professional pest control must be brought into eradicate the colonies. Smaller than garden ants at only 1.5 or 2mm long and light brown in colour, they are increasingly seen in blocks of flats. Pharoah Ants breed in colonies which can contain many thousands of ants. They thrive alongside communal central heating systems, with plentiful water supply and an availability of food, but can pose a risk to health by transmitting germs potentially causing food poisoning.

Bedbugs
Bedbugs are the most difficult of pests to combat. Professional treatment methods are advised to ensure that these tenacious creatures have been totally eradicated. Before treatment we will advise you of preparation recommendations including washing of clothing, bedding, movement of furniture, etc. Transmission of bugs is easy, many infestations are caused by residents unintentionally bringing back bedbugs from travels ie. in luggage, they are particularly prevalent in dwellings such as hostels, hotels, etc.

Bedbugs are flat, oval shaped insects 3-5mm long. The young (nymph) bugs are much smaller and hard to see with the naked eye. They are light brown becoming darker after feeding, they are wingless insects that feed as parasites solely on the blood of live, warm blooded animals. Bites and skin rashes are a common symptom. By crawling up walls and furniture they are able to lay their eggs in small crevices near the host. They can survive in a starvation state for over a year.

Bees
See honeybee page for specialist services for Honey bees and Bumblebees -please click here.

There are over 250 species of bee in the British Isles. Over 90% are solitary, although some solitary bees nest in close proximity to each other therefore giving the impression of a social behaviour. Only bumblebees and honeybees are truly social and therefore create a colony comprising the queen, drones, workers looking after larvae, and older foraging bees.

Mason bees are a harmless solitary bee which can cause concern when they colonise older properties, gained access through soft mortar in the brickwork to lay their. This potentially causes structural damage to vulnerable buildings. We do often take calls of this nature through the spring and summer, do call for advice.

Cockroaches
Professional help is strongly advised due to how notoriously difficult cockroaches are to get rid of, delaying treatment will result in an increased problem capable of spreading through buildings.

The German cockroach is found throughout Europe and Britain. Cockroaches are tan to light brown in colour, they range in size from 10-23mm in length, they have long antennae and two sets of wings. A cockroach infestation poses a significant risk to health, contaminating utensils, work surfaces and food. They can carry dysentery, gastro-enteritis and food poisoning organisms. Contamination occurs when the cockroach comes into contact with foodstuffs. One egg capsule can contain up to 30 nymph insects, which can reach maturity in just a matter of weeks. They love warm and humid conditions, especially kitchens, laundries and boiler rooms. They are nocturnal and spend the day hiding in around areas such as sinks, drains, cookers etc.

Fleas
Fleas are tiny, wingless blood sucking insects measuring approximately 1-4 mm long and brownish in colour. They give a bite which often becomes irritable. People do react differently and can range from small red bite marks to extensive rashes and itching which can persist for 1-2 days. Fleas have an incredible ability to jump, capable of reaching a vertical height of some 30cm or more! The lifecycle of a flea is approximately four weeks. Flea larvae feast on feathers, fur and organic matter, they simply feed on the blood of pets (whether mammals or birds) and then jump off again. Eggs of the flea are laid loosely among the hairs of the host or in animal bedding. These eggs often fall to the floor where they will develop and hatch. The pet's bedding is an obvious area for fleas to develop and a cat's bedding may support a population of 8,000 immature and 2,000 adult fleas, however even with bedding removed they develop along skirting boards, under the edges of rugs, carpets and on upholstered furniture.
Treat your pet regularly with an insecticide recommended by a vet. Our effective treatment methods include the application of professional insecticide resulting in rapid clearance of large areas and/or persistent infestation. We are happy to give advice, please do call to discuss the problem.

Flies
House flies and bluebottles are most commonly found in the UK. It is the transmission of diseases that can infect our food which makes flies a hazard, they can transmit food poisoning and other diseases such as cholera and typhoid. The best method of fly control is to physically break the breeding cycle by making sure they cannot find anywhere to breed. If infestations become significant treatment is recommended. As well as offering pest control services against flies, we also sell electric fly killer machines, flypapers and flyscreens (made to measure for windows and doors), for all situations suited specifically for domestic, commercial and agriculture.
Please contact us for further details.

Cluster Flies
The Cluster Fly enters properties during autumn to hibernate and leave again in spring. In the autumn, the flies tend to collect on the outside of buildings on warm elevations and later find their way inside, sometimes clustering in their thousands - in roof spaces, under tiles and in sash windows therefore causing a nuisance.
Cluster flies will return in large numbers year after year if not dealt with. Please do call and speak to our technician directly to discuss a cluster fly problem, a survey is most often essential, however we can offer initial advice over the phone.

Textile pests
Clothes Moths, Carpet Beetles, Case Bearing Moth.
The term “textile pests” is used to describe those insects which feed on the natural animal fibres such as wool, silk, fur etc often found in our home furnishings. This group includes several beetles and moths. Complete metamorphosis , in which the egg hatches into an immature stage (larva) bears no resemblance to the adult. At maturity larva changes into an immobile pupa. An adult emerges from a pupa case remodelled. These are the four stages of the cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. It is the activities of the larvae which will cause damage and indeed ruin carpets, animal furs and leathers.
Ignoring textile pests can make the extent of the problem far worse. There are several effective methods that we practise to eradicate a problem. One effective method is the application of a residual spray, other methods and monitoring traps can also be applied simultaneously to combat a problem.
Each circumstance is always a little bit different, please call to discuss your individual problem.

Hornets
Hornets are a large fearsome looking insect, twice the size of the common wasp and brown and yellow instead of black and yellow. Hornets tend to become aggressive when defending their nests. But care should be taken when in close proximity to Hornets as their sting is especially powerful. A hornet sting can be very unpleasant and in some people can cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. It is very common for Hornets to build a nest in lofts, sheds, outhouses, in hollow trees, usually places where it is dry and undisturbed. The nest begins in the spring by a single queen, she builds a nest constructed from chewed wood which turns into a strong Paper Mache type material. It is important not to threaten or disturb a nest, we will provide a safe professional treatment, if necessary, often the nest can be removed after treatment .

Wasps
Wasps are very aggressive when their nest is threatened or disturbed. A wasp sting can be very unpleasant and in some people can cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock.
We offer a competitively priced service to eradicate wasp nests. If wasps are seen entering a building e.g. into the roof, in a wall cavity, shed or hole in the ground, and they are becoming a nuisance, then treatment should be considered. We will provide a safe professional treatment, results are very rapid. Depending on accessibility of the wasps nest location, often the nest can be removed after treatment.

There are several species of social wasp in Great Britain. Common wasps have sharp tapered abdomens and are black and yellow striped. The queen wasp is slightly larger than her workers, she hibernates over winter, making a new nest in the spring in which to lay her eggs. She feeds the grubs on insects until they develop into worker wasps, three to four weeks later. One nest may produce 30,000 wasps in a year. In autumn all wasps die with the exception of the new queens that hibernate then emerge to build new nests the following spring. An old nest is not used in subsequent years, however if you are concerned by a nest, new or old please do call to discuss the problem.

At times nests are not within your premises but still cause you anxiety, premises can be protected by insect screening of windows and the installation of electrical devices which attract, kill and catch the bodies. We are happy to provide these options.

We advise you to consider the risks very carefully before attempting to treat a nest yourself.
We frequently provide practical advice on pest control and prevention, with free initial surveys and quotations, call us to discuss your pest problem.