Looking after your world - Hereford Pest Control #StopTheSpread 🌈
The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) and the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA) are lobbying the Government to have professional pest controllers formally recognised as key workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
As it stands, pest controllers are permitted to continue working under the current Government guidelines. However, should the restrictions become more stringent it is absolutely imperative that pest controllers are designated key workers as the pest management sector in the UK has a critical role to play in:
Protecting our nation’s food from farm to fork
Protecting other essential workers in hospitals and supermarkets
Protecting the vulnerable and sick from further exposure to diseases
Protecting the distressed from the mental anguish of an infestation
For these reasons, the BPCA and NPTA have written to the Government asking:
For the Government to recognise that pest management work is critical
The Government to acknowledge pest control and pest management cannot stop during the pandemic
At PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford we have also written to our MP Jesse Norman to express our concerns, particularly as we have seen a RISE in calls about pest issues during this period. Mr Norman has kindly agreed to take up this issue with the Prime Minister.
Why do we think pest issues are rising during this pandemic?
We consider this is for two key reasons:
Lots of businesses are shutting down and empty properties welcome pest guests;
As people are staying at home more they are noticing pest issues much more quickly and worrying about them more. As people are at home more they are generating more waste and this, in turn, can encourage pests.
Shouldn’t pest controllers also be staying at home?
Yes, of course, pest controllers should observe the social distancing rules and also stay at home as much as possible as well as everyone else. And, at PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford we are also doing this. We will not carry out any non-essential visits during this period.
What is PGM & Son Pest Control specifically doing to comply with the measures?
As pest controllers, we are well versed in risk control. Some of the Government's measures are quite normal in our business. For example:
We use personal protective equipment (PPE) normally. However, during this period we are increasing our use of PPE. You can expect us to arrive at a visit in PPE.
We carry out risk assessments as part of our normal business activities. During this period, we are adopting additional measures and spending longer discussing issues with customers prior to any visit.
Distancing measures are employed normally, for example, customers will normally be expected to vacate a property if we are using a certain type of chemical. Often we will be
Able to carry out visits to our commercial customers without even seeing a member of staff as rodent stations are sited externally and away from the general public.
We always travel to and from visits alone and in our own vehicle/s. We use industrial sanitizers and wipes and we change / replace PPE regularly.
Additional measures are:
Asking customers to move to separate rooms or to the garden or to take their daily exercise whilst treatments / monitoring is carried out.
Asking customers to email us photographs of pest issues so that we can see whether a face to face visit is critical.
Ceasing all non-essential visits.
So, if you have a rat or mice issue at this time and are worried about the impact of Covid-19 please give us a call so that we can discuss how best to resolve your problem whilst keeping you, your family and our team safe.
A reminder to customers what to look for if you think you have a pest problem:
RATS
What do they sound like?
Scratching
Crawling
What do their droppings / mess look like?
Spindle shaped & blunt for the
Brown rat; 1½-2cm long
Pointed for the black rat and
Around 1.½ cm long
MICE
What do they sound like?
Scratching
Gnawing
What do their droppings / mess look like?
Thin, spindle shaped
Around ½cm long
BIRDS
What do they sound like?
Flapping
Vocal – squawks & chirps
What do their droppings / mess look like?
Depends on the species of bird but common ones are dark brown or green sometimes with white
Size of droppings depend on type of bird
SQUIRRELS
What do they sound like?
Scratching
Vocals
Squirrels are very noisy!
What do their droppings / mess look like?
Similar to brown rat droppings but rounder
1½-2cm
BATS
What do they sound like?
Sharp vocal at night
What do their droppings / mess look like?
Dark brown or black 4-8mm long, crumbling into a fine powder when crushed
A note on bats: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides protection for all species of bat found in the United Kingdom. It is illegal to kill, or even disturb, bats in their roosts.
FLIES
What do they sound like?
Buzzing
What do their droppings / mess look like?
Depends on type but often there are visible sightings of insects or masses of insect bodies in windows / floors / door frames
So, if you’ve been hearing scratching or gnawing or other noises that go bump in the night in your kitchen, loft or attic, cellar or anywhere else don’t panic.
Call in the professionals!
At PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford we can identify your unwanted pests and offer solution to your problem. Whether that’s rat removal; mouse control; squirrel removal; bird control; fly control or advice on bats give us a call on 01981 241 334 or 07964 370480. Or, drop us an email at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk
We’re a local Hereford based family run pest control firm.
We’re friendly, trustworthy and reliable.
We offer fair and transparent prices, fast call outs and advice and guidance.
Call us today – you won’t be disappointed.
