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This week we discuss what you should look for in a pest controller. QUALIFIED Always make sure your pest controller is suitably qualified. Those involved in the application of pesticides must be able to demonstrate that they are adequately trained and competent to purchase and use professional products and equipment. At PGM & Son Pest Control we hold the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) Level 2 Award in Pest Management. This qualification fulfils the legal requirement relating to the training of pest control technicians as set out in the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986. TOP TIP – ASK TO SEE A COPY OF YOUR PEST CONTROLLER QUALIFICATIONS! KNOWLEDGEABLE Make sure your pest controller keeps their knowledge up to date. Changes happen in any industry and it’s important to refresh knowledge and keep up to date with new developments. PGM & Son Pest Control are members of BASIS Prompt – an independent industry and Government recognised register for professional pest controllers. The BASIS PROMPT Pest Controllers register is an industry initiative which provides independent proof that a pest controller has received proper training and continues to update their expertise through Continuing Professional Development (CPD). TOP TIP – ASK YOUR PEST CONTROLLER FOR THEIR BASIS PROMPT REGISTRATION NUMBER! PROFESSIONAL Your pest controller should be a member of a recognised trade body. The two main ones in the UK are the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) and the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA). PGM & Son Pest Control is a member of the NPTA. TOP TIP – CHECK OUT MEMBERS OF THE NPTA IN HEREFORDSHIRE BY SEARCHING THE NPTA REGISTER AT: http://www.npta.org.uk/member-search PEACE OF MIND Make sure your pest controller carries adequate public liability insurance. Sometimes things go wrong, even with the best of intentions so your pest controller should have measures in place to mitigate the risk that something doesn’t go to plan. Your pest controller should also have the correct waste carrier’s licence in place. PGM & Son Pest Control carries comprehensive public and products liability insurance. We are also hold an Upper Tier Waste Carrier Licence. TOP TIP – DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK YOUR PEST CONTROLLER FOR DETAILS OF THEIR INSURANCES AND LICENCES. A PROFESSIONAL PEST CONTROLLER WILL BE HAPPY TO SUPPLY DETAILS FOR YOU. LOCATION & SERVICES Most people pick up the ‘phone to national pest control companies usually because they recognise the brand name, or they appear top of the list when searching on internet. There’s nothing wrong with using a national firm of course but there are some benefits to using local firms. A local firm can offer faster response times because they’re based closer to you. And, a local firm may have a better understanding of the issues facing your area and community. Local firms often have a great local network so can help with connected issues. Check your pest controller offers the services you require. Not all pest controllers handle all types of pest problems. For example, some only offer wasp control others offer commercial services but not residential. Check out your pest controller’s eco credentials. A pest controller should be able to discuss environmentally friendly solutions with you and explain how they try to reduce their own carbon footprint. PGM & Son Pest Control offers a wide range of pest control services, We handle most pest problems, offer both residential and commercial services and additional services such as pest waste cleaning, pest waste removal and insect identification. The environment is important to us, we’re always happy to share our views on preventative pest control measures. Managing the risk to non-target species is top priority. We educate through working with individuals and businesses and through our regular weekly blogs. And, we’re working hard to reduce our carbon footprint, for example, jobs are carefully planned and coordinated so that we keep the amount of time we spend on the road to a minimum – essential in a vast rural county like Herefordshire. TOP TIP – BE ALERT FOR FIRMS WHO ALWAYS ADVOCATE ERADICATION AND NEVER FOCUS ON PREVENTION QUALITY OF SERVICE It can be expensive calling out a pest controller. Often the chemicals and materials used are expensive and costs have to be covered. So, it is essential you are provided with a quality service. Make sure your pest controller has good credentials. Also, make sure your pest controller provides you with a quote for services and explains clearly to you what the service will entail and what the cost will be. PGM & Son Pest Control was crowned Sole Trader of the Year 2019 ate the British Pest Management Awards (BPMA) and 2019 Family Business of the Year finalist in the Herefordshire Business Awards. What better accolade than being recognised by your industry peers and local businesses in this way! TOP TIP – CHEAPEST ISN’T ALWAYS BEST! COMPARE QUOTES AND SERVICES TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING VALUE FOR MONEY. RECOMMENDATIONS It can be a worry engaging the services of a firm or individual when you have no prior experience of them. Word of mouth referrals are a great way to sharing information on local services. Similarly, social media have local business boards so the individuals can share their experiences and details of local traders. Feedback and ratings can also be found online which can also be a useful indicator. PGM & Son Pest Control has excellent feedback from customers – check out our feedback and ratings on our website at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk/reviews look up our reviews on Google by typing in PGM Pest Control and clicking on Google reviews. Read the feedback on Trustpilot at https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk TOP TIP – CHECK OUT ADVERTS FOR LOCAL PEST CONTROLLERS IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINES, PARISH NEWSLETTERS AND LOCAL STORE NOTICE BOARDS! What are you waiting for? Give PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford a call today to book your appointment. Call us on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480 Visit our website at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

Happy New Year from all the team at PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford! Wishing all our customers a Happy, Pest Free New Year! As we move into a new decade in 2020, we’re giving readers a reminder of the services we can provide: Pests we deal with: · Rats · Mice · Cockroaches · Bedbugs · Fleas · Insects · Cluster flies · Wasps · Carpet moth · Carpet beetle · Clothes moth · Ants · House flies · Moles · Squirrels · Flying insects · Crawling insects Services we offer: · Residential pest control · Insect identification · Commercial pest management and control · Pest waste cleaning · Pest waste removal · Loft waste clearance · Loft re-insulation · Pest proofing works What makes PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford stand out from the rest? Sole trader of the year 2019 in the British Pest Management Awards (BPMA) Finalist – Family Business of the Year 2019 Herefordshire Business Awards Local Family run Professionally trained & qualified under the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) Member of recognised trade body – National Pest Technician’s Association (NPTA) Member of industry recognised continuing professional development scheme BASIS Prompt Fully insured min. £5m public liability insurance for your peace of mind Waste carrier’s licence Fast response times, out of hours availability Confidential, discreet services Environmentally friendly & non-toxic solutions Clear, fair and transparent pricing – value for money service Give your local pest control business a call today for a free no-obligation quote on 01981 241334 / 07964 370480 Or email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY! 'TRA LA LA LA LA LA LA We wanted to share the highlights of our amazing year at PGM Pest Control. During 2019: We won Sole Trader of the Year at the prestigious British Pest Management Awards! In the Herefordshire Business Awards we were Family Business of the Year finalists! 100% Google reviews left by customers rated us as 5 Star! 100% of customers rates us as Excellent on Trustpilot! We’re delighted at the success we’ve had during 2019 and we’re thrilled to be recognised by our customers and peers. In 2019 we saw a rise in flea and bed bug problems – in all likelihood due to increased globalisation with more people travelling. Other factors have contributed to the rise in these pests such as an increase in second-hand furniture. We’re also seeing an increase in rodents particularly following the appalling weather conditions we had recently which saw many parts of Herefordshire under water. Of course we’re a pest control business but we don’t want to see people suffering with pest problems. We’re a unique type of business in that we don’t want to see return customers!! Well, certainly not with the same problem! In fact, a big part of our business is to carry out pest management and prevention and we handle pest waste cleaning and pest waste removal as well. So, as the year draws to a close and with Christmas almost upon us, we wish all our customers a very Happy Christmas with Best Wishes for the New Year! At PGM & SON Pest Control, we’ll also be taking time out to enjoy the Christmas festivities but we’re still open for business and always on the end of the ‘phone or email to offer advice and help. So, if you have a pest control problem or need some help and guidance give PGM & SON Pest Control a call on 01981 241 334 or 07964 370480. We’re an award winning, local family run business. email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or use our live chat facility on the website WISHING EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL AT PGM PEST CONTROL

PGM & SON Cluster Fly Control Hereford – We’ve Got It Covered! Are you having an issue with cluster flies? Did you know cluster flies are predominantly found in rural areas? It’s a perfectly common problem in Herefordshire so if you are having cluster fly problems give us a call today at PGM & SON Cluster Fly Control Hereford – we’ve got it covered. Facts about cluster flies Cluster flies are so called because of their habit of forming clusters when they are hibernating. Presence of cluster flies is not a sign of poor hygiene. Cluster flies are a particular problem during Autumn when they gather in significant numbers on walls and windows during the day, retiring into roof spaces during the night. As the Autumn months have been warmer, we’re still seeing people experiencing problems with cluster flies. As temperatures drop, the cluster flies will crawl under the eaves and facias and roof spaces to hibernate safely over the winter. Although cluster flies aren’t harmful, they can be a nuisance and, if gathering in significant numbers they can be unsightly in your home and put off customers in your business. They can also leave dark coloured spots on walls and windows which can be tricky to clean and look off putting. Another issue is that if the flies die in false ceilings and wall voids, they may attract other pests. Suffering from cluster flies again? Unfortunately, this is a common problem because cluster flies tend to return to the same location year after year. If you had a cluster fly problem last year you are more likely to experience another one again. So, if you had a cluster fly issue in previous years and you’ve got them again it doesn’t mean your pest controller failed. Unfortunately, what it does mean is that you can expect your visitors every year. However, once you’re aware of this it can help manage expectations and also enable you to get prepared to treat the problem as soon as it arrives. So, if you’re having a problem with cluster flies, call us today to help. We can treat your cluster fly problem and we can also clean up any pest waste for you. No more dead flies on the carpet to worry about this Christmas! - If you’re in need of pest control call in the pest experts today – PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford Call us on 01981 241 334 or 07964 370 480 Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk Visit our website for more information at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk #MAKEPESTCONTROLGREENAGAIN

Bought a new house? Recently moved into a rental property? If you’ve just moved into a new home and find you have a pest problem, give the experts a call to sort out your problem for you. PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford and Worcester can help with all your pest control needs. Rats, mice, fleas, bed bugs, cluster flies, cockroaches - you name it we deal with it. Landlords – have your tenants left you with a pest problem? Do you need a clean bill of health for your landlord deposit scheme? Lettings agents – are you looking for a pest controller to give your properties a clean bill of health before you let to new tenants? Herefordshire residents - have you moved into a new house or flat and found the previous residents have left you with a pest problem? Don’t worry – PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford can provide advice and solutions to your pest problems. What to look out for when moving into a new house or renting a new property: Signs you’ve got Rodents Scratching, scrabbling and crawling noises Droppings and strong smell of urine Greasy marks on skirting boards and walls Gnaw marks, chewed surfaces including pipes and electrical cables Nests, holes and burrows Footprints and tracks Signs you’ve got fleas Your pets are scratching You can see fleas or flea droppings on your pets’ coats You and your family experience bites, typically around the ankles and legs Fleas jumping in your carpets or on your furniture Signs you’ve got bedbugs Itchy red marks / lumps on your skin Unpleasant smell on your laundry / bedding Marks on your bed frame / mattresses which look like ink spots Blood smears on bedding / head-board Sight of bed bugs on bedding and furniture PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford can help with all your pest control needs. We’re a local, family owned and run, award-winning pest control business. So, give PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford a call today to book your appointment. Call us on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480. or email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

During flood conditions rats are more likely to spread disease. We’re seeing extreme weather conditions this year and, currently, rainfall is causing major problems. Flooding is causing problems across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, the Midlands and South Wales. Many Herefordshire residents are facing significant problems with flood waters damaging homes and businesses. Travel around the county is restricted and schools and businesses have been forced to close. Another issue that comes with flood waters is rats. You may find that rats move into your property to escape the flood waters. As their burrows fill with water, rats need to find alternative accommodation. And, if food sources are destroyed by flooding, rats will seek food elsewhere. Health experts warn homeowners to take measures to prevent "huge numbers" of rats flushed out by the floods re-establishing themselves. Did you know rats are strong swimmers and will swim great distances to find a new home? It’s also important to check outbuildings as storm damage can create the perfect nesting places for rodents. Flood waters create a health risk to the public. Rat urine contains leptospires which can survive outside the rats’ body for much longer periods in extreme wet weather. The leptospires within the rats’ urine can cause Leptospirosis (commonly known as Weil’s disease). If you’re having problems with rats give PGM & Son Rodent Control Hereford 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.

If you’re in need of help call PGM & SON Rodent Control Hereford, we’re here to help with rat and mice problems. Rats and Mice are thought to be synonymous with Halloween due to their nocturnal and predatory ways. Even as far back as ancient times, these pests have been feared due to their nocturnal habits and rats particularly were feared given their brown and black fur evoking a sense of fear when they moved at night when the only light was from candles and oil lamps. Scratching around at night in the dark also creates a sense of unease. And quick movement in the shadows is frightening for some people. Halloween is a time for the children to dress up (and some of the adults too!) and for children to take to the streets for the annual trick or treat festivities. Many a house will be dressed to impress, often with bats, spiders, mice and rats! There’s nothing to fear from the toy pests but we all know that the real rodents can pose serious risks to public health and this too adds to people’s dislike and fear of them. A reminder of the signs you have rodents in your property or business: Gnaw marks Droppings Scratching and scrabbling noises Nests and burrows Smear marks Distinctive urine smell, particularly for rats Nibbled soft materials that may be being used to build nests Footprints/ tracks Don’t freak out of you have a rodent problem, as a professional pest controller can help you get the problem under control quickly and effectively. And, they can give you advice on how to avoid problems in the future. So, if you hear bumps in the night, if you’re scared you have unwanted visitors call in the best to deal with your pest….. - PGM & SON PEST CONTROL HEREFORD – CALL US ON 01981 241334 OR 07964 370480 USE INSTANT CHAT ON OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.PGMPESTCONTROL.CO.UK EMAIL US: CONTACT@PGMPESTCONTROL.CO.UK FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @PGMPESTCONTROL

CALL PGM & SON PEST CONTROL HEREFORD – WE’VE GOT PESTS COVERED! PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford is a local, family run business offering pest control solutions to residents and business across Herefordshire. We deal with all sorts of pests such as rats, mice, fleas, bed bugs, cluster flies, cockroaches, carpet moth, carpet beetle, woodworm, squirrels, birds, wasps, hornets and more! If you have a problem with pests we can help! PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford also offers commercial pest management contracts, pest waste cleaning and removal services, including loft clearance, insect identification and more! Ten good reasons to choose PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford :- LOCAL – we’re local, family owned and run and have a vested interest in serving the local Herefordshire community FAST RESPONSE – because we’re local, we can often offer same day service VALUE FOR MONEY – our services offer value for money and are transparent and competitive – ask us today for a free no-obligation quote! MASTER TECHNICIAN – we’re fully qualified and trained to carry out pest control in the UK AWARD WINNING – winners of the British Pest Management Awards 2019 Sole Trader of the Year and chosen by Herefordshire Business Awards as finalists for the family business of the year 2019 we’re recognised by our peers and local businesses PEACE OF MIND – we carry comprehensive public liability insurance, employers’ liability, waste carriers licence and membership of recognised trade body GREEN – we aim to promote and deliver environmentally friendly and ethical solutions to pest control #makepestcontrolgreenagain TAILORED SERVICES – we recognise a ‘one size fits all’ approach often doesn’t give customers what they need so rest assured that, with PGM & Son Pest Control, our services are tailored to your specific needs RECOMMENDED – don’t just ask us, check out what our customers are saying about us. We’re reviewed on our website, Trustpilot and Google and customers give us the thumbs up! KNOWLEDGEABLE – we’re always keeping our knowledge up to date by participating in industry approved continuous professional development schemes. And, in the rare event we don’t know the answer, we’ve access to a range of experts who can help. PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford – Herefordshire Business Awards’ Family Business of the Year 2019 Finalists. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Give PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford a call today to book your appointment. Call us on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480. Visit our website at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk to use the online chat facility or email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk FORGET THE REST AND CALL IN THE BEST PGM & SON HEREFORD PEST CONTROL SERVICES

We’re delighted to announce that PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford has been announced as finalists in the Family Business of the Year 2019 by Herefordshire Business Awards. PGM - FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2019 FINALIST - AMAZING NEWS! This is fantastic news for PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford, following their win at the 2019 British Pest Management Awards at the London Excel earlier this year. The Herefordshire Business Awards ceremony will be held at the Three Counties Hotel in Hereford on 25th October 2019 where the winners will be announced. The Herefordshire Business Awards were established in 2017 by Rich and Kim Beale from Bookkeeping4U and Richard and Kerry Low from Character Design. The 2019 Herefordshire Business Awards are brought to you by Herefordshire Means Business and sponsored by Hereford Business Solutions Centre. The Awards are a celebration of talent and success across the County, rewarding Herefordshire’s high achievers, inspirational leaders and growing businesses. Check out the shortlist here: CLICK TO SEE SHORTLIST Phil Martin, Owner and Pest Control Technician at PGM & SON Hereford, said:-- “We’re absolutely delighted and amazed that PGM & SON has been announced as a finalist in this important local awards event. This is a really fantastic event which celebrates local talent, promotes local business and builds a strong community ethos. There are many family businesses across the county so, in our second year of trading, we’re absolutely thrilled that the Herefordshire Business Awards has recognised our contribution in this way. Coming off the back of our earlier win at the British Pest Management Awards 2019 earlier this year when we were awarded sole trader of the year, we’re just thrilled that all our hard work has paid off. There is a strong family team behind PGM & SON Pest Control which drives the business forward to make PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford stand out from the rest. I’m taking this opportunity to thank them for all their hard work and dedication. We are a local, family run business which put customers and the community first. I’m incredibly proud of our accomplishments over the past 2 years and to be announced as finalists in the Herefordshire Business Awards is a huge honour! We look forward to celebrating with fellow finalists at the awards ceremony in October and wish everyone good luck and best wishes.” For all your pest control needs, give PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford a call on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480 for a free no-obligation chat. If you prefer, you can email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk, or you can use our live chat facility on our website at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk. We’re always on the end of the ‘phone for advice so don’t worry about your pest problems, give us a call now.

Did you know that it’s Asian Hornet Week from 9th September to 15th September? So, we’re calling on Herefordshire residents to watch out for hornets this month and to report any sightings to us at PGM & Son Hornet Control Hereford or to the Non-Native Species Secretariat at: http://www.nonnativespecies.org Why is the Asian Hornet Trouble with a capital T? Although the Asian hornet doesn’t pose any greater risk to humans than their European cousin, they pose a serious threat to honey-bee populations. They cause major damage to honey-bee colonies and you know how WE LOVE OUR BEES AT PGM PEST CONTROL! The European Hornet The European Hornet is Mother Nature’s pest controller. They feed on aphids, which makes them a gardener’s dream and the European hornet is an important pollinator. Despite their fearsome appearance the hornet isn’t actually an aggressive pest. Hornets are quite shy insects and, away from their nest, it’s very rare to encounter a run-in with a hornet. Hornets are also relatively uncommon. Spotting a Hornet Hornets are big, much bigger than the common wasp and due to their size and features their appearance can be alarming. They also make a very loud buzzing noise which can be quite frightening, particularly near a hornet nest. Hornets can sting multiple times and, due to the level of venom they carry a single sting can be extremely painful. If you’re not sure you’ve spotted a hornet, take a photo and email it to us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk What should you do if you spot a hornet’s nest? If you’ve found a hornet’s nest you should call a professional pest controller like PGM & Son Hornet Control Hereford to give you advice. Unlike the girl who kicked the hornet’s nest in author Steig Larsson’s novel our advice is NEVER APPROACH OR TOUCH OR ATTEMPT TO MOVE A HORNETS’ NEST YOURSELF. If you’ve got a hornet nest, don’t panic – call PGM & SON Pest Control Herefordshire today on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480. Or, visit our website at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk. We’ll get rid of hornets for you, treat hornets’ nests and destroy and remove hornets’ nests for you. And we don’t just stop at tackling hornets’ nests – give us a call if you’ve got a wasp problem or any other pest problem for that matter!

NEED TO GET RID OF BED BUGS IN HEREFORD? Call PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford to treat a bed bug problem, contact Phil on 07964 370480. Bed bugs can be carried unknowingly into your home or business and, once inside, a bed bug problem can spread rapidly. For example, bed bugs can be transported in clothes, luggage and furniture. You can easily attract a bed bug problem if you’ve stayed in an hotel with an infestation or perhaps you purchased some second-hand furniture from eBay which arrived with a family of bed bugs! So, you can see that bed bugs are much more common than you think and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. At PGM & Son Pest Control, it’s all in a day’s work for us so don’t delay and call us today to get rid of your bed bugs before they spread. What do we know about bed bugs? Their hosts are humans They lay their eggs near to their human hosts in cracks or crevices such as crevices in beds, behind skirting boards, in plug sockets and behind picture frames and loose wallpaper The nymphs (which are the early stages of bed bugs) are so tiny it is hard for the human eye to detect them They feed on human blood, mostly at night They can’t fly but they do crawl and tropical bed bugs can climb They can go for many months without feeding which increases their chance of survival They are more prevalent in multiple occupancy buildings especially where there is a high and quick turn over of residents, such as hotels, hostels and blocks of flats Although bed bugs don’t usually transmit diseases, they do bite and their bites can cause irritation which may be worse for people with allergies. How to tell if you have a bed bug infestation? You’ve got red itchy marks / lumps on your skin Laundry such as bedding has an unpleasant smell Dark spots on bed frames and mattresses that look like ink spots Signs of blood smears on bedding and headboards You can see bed bugs on your bedding or on your furniture if you have an active infestation. How can I prevent bed bugs? Well, it’s pretty hard to prevent bed bugs because normally they are spread through bad luck. But nevertheless you can take some steps to reduce the chances of you getting a bed bug infestation in the future: Check for bed bugs if you are staying in temporary accommodation or moving into a new property. If you buy second hand property check it for bed bugs before you take it into your home or business If you are unlucky enough to stay somewhere which has a bed bug infestation then make sure you take precautionary steps before returning home, which include washing your clothing, luggage and bedding in a 60 degree wash cycle; tumble drying on a hot setting for at least half an hour or you can freeze everything in the deep freeze for at least 3 days. If you run a high residency turn-over business, such as a B&B, hotel or hostel then consider engaging a pest control company to carry out ongoing monitoring for early detection. Train your staff to know what to look for so that bed bugs can be detected early and an infestation avoided. DIY treatments for bed bugs are rarely successful. Pest Controllers have access to treatments that are not available to the general public. Also, it’s really tricky to treat bed bugs because all crevices and cracks including plug sockets and skirting boards need to be treated so it’s best to engage the services of a fully qualified pest controller. What can you expect from a PGM & Son Pest Control Bed Bug Treatment? Call us and we’ll give you advice Book a treatment and we’ll give you some pre-treatment advice. You’ll need to follow this to ensure that the treatment is as thorough as possible We’ll carry out a comprehensive treatment in your property or business Advice on what to do after we’ve carried out the treatment to ensure that you remain bed bug-fee! We can also offer businesses our ongoing bed bug detection program and staff training Ask about our bed bug detection and training services. PGM Hereford Pest Control’s bed bug service is fast, friendly and effective. Call us today for advice and solutions. If you’re experiencing a problem with bed bugs for any other pest control problems call PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford on 01981 241334 / 07964 370480 or email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or use the live chat facility on our website at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

GOT A COMPLAINT ABOUT PESTS? THINKING OF TAKING YOUR PESTS TO COURT? IF YOU LIVED IN THE MIDDLE AGES YOU COULD! DID YOU KNOW THAT, IN MEDIEVAL EUROPE, PESTS WERE TRIED IN A COURT OF LAW? AS IT’S 2019, YOU’LL HAVE TO CALL IN PGM & SON PEST CONTROL HEREFORD TO DEAL WITH YOUR PESTS INSTEAD!! This week we’re bringing you the fascinating fact that Medieval Europeans tried animals, including pests, in a court of law. Inspired by the Courtyard’s Youth Theatre, we thought we’d share some facts and stories with you. In Europe, in the Middle Ages, it was common to bring animals and pests to court and have them tried for crimes such as destroying crops and they could face sentences such as gruesome mutilation to excommunication. WOW! that’s seriously unjust isn’t it?! Larger animals were tried for serious offences such as murder and were usually executed or exiled. Smaller pests were often excommunicated or denounced by a church tribunal. Because pests were considered to be God’s creatures an instruction from the church lessened the guilt of having the pests exterminated. SOME INTERESTING HISTORICAL CASES:- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the 1480s the Cardinal Bishop of Autun in France ruled against slugs which had ruined estate grounds under his jurisdiction. He ordered three days of daily processions where slugs were told to leave the area or be cursed, which gave the go ahead for extermination. And larger animals were often brought to stand trial where the sentences were severe. In 1508, the town of Autun decided they’d had enough of rats eating their crops and brought the case to trial: The Township of Autun versus Johns and Janes Doe, also known as rats or “les rats”. The charge? The said rats ate or destroyed the barley crop of local farmers. On the first day of the trial, the rats failed to appear! The rats’ legal aid lawyer (I know, it’s quite unbelievable!) pointed out to the court that the summons was invalid as his clients were not pack animals and tended to live alone and that each one of his clients had to be served an individual summons. Summons were posted in the churches in all neighbouring towns, but the rats failed to appear at the second citation and so were in contempt of court again. The rats’ lawyer argued that the route to court was unsafe for his clients as it was fraught with danger being frequented by cats, dogs and people. The rule of law (as today for human defendants) was that if the accused cannot be assured of personal safety in attending court to answer the charges then they may be excused. There’s no recorded outcome of the case but it is widely thought that the rats must have been acquitted. In modern times, most criminal justice systems consider that non-human creatures do not have the ability to make moral judgments and so cannot be held culpable for an act. Rather sensible, don’t you think? We think the sentences for those pests were rather harsh when they are simply doing what comes naturally to them. At PGM Pest Control Hereford, we never advocate extermination for the sake of it. We always try to look for alternative methods to eradication and, we actively encourage humans to live with pests where at all possible. We spend a lot of time educating the public about the benefits of pests. Please read our blogs as your pest issue might be less problematic than you first think. So, if you have a pest control problem don’t invest in an expensive lawyer, give PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford a call on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480 or visit our website at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk for advice and a free no-obligation quote. We’ll help solve your pest problems without a costly court battle! #MAKEPESTCONTROLGREENAGAIN