Common pest and rodent information

Bed bugs are oval flattened insects around 5mm long. They normally emerge just before dawn and will feed on any host they can find, including pets and people. Their bites can cause extreme irritation and are normally found in a line. Though they can be difficult to eradicate, we will spray bed frames, skirting boards and any other cracks or crevices they may be hiding in. We encourage people to sleep in the rooms that have been treated to draw them out so that they come into contact with the insecticide.

Mice are able to squeeze through holes the size of a biro, typically living and breeding underfloors, in cavity walls, ceiling voids and behind skirting boards. The first indication that there are mice in a property is often the discovery of droppings in cupboards or on work surfaces. Mice spread a number of diseases and can cause extensive damage to property by gnawing through everything from soft furnishings to electric cabling. We normally use a combination of poison baits and traps to deal with any infestations.

Pharaoh ants are tropical in origin and inhabit warm areas such as boiler rooms and around central heating pipework. Due to their extremely small size, they are able to penetrate all but the most secure packaging and may pose additional risks to human health if found in a hospital environment. Pharaoh ants can be extremely difficult to eradicate, but spraying with juvenile growth hormone analogues prevents the larvae from developing and sterilises the adults.

Foxes produce pungent urine and feces, will also dig holes in lawns and can also make a lot of noise. They can carry diseases like rabies, ticks and fleas. The Wild Mammal (Protection) Act 1996 protects most mammals from a variety of cruel acts, and hence it is illegal to poison, gas, trap or snare a fox. The use of repellents such as Renardine, which is widely available from garden centres, will also discourage foxes. If foxes have already made a home in your garden then the application of a repellent around the entrance and exit to the earth will encourage the foxes to leave.