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Why businesses should consider engaging a regular pest control professional How Pest Infestations Can Impact Office Businesses Unhappy staff! Costs to repair damage caused by pests such as chewed pipes and cables Disruption to the business if you must close to carry out a pest treatment Complaints and claims from employees or the public Loss of income from un-rentable or unsaleable office space Damage to your reputation Disputes with your neighbouring businesses if pests transfer to their offices Termination of rental contracts if your landlord considers you have encouraged or not prevented or removed a pest problem Practical Tips for Office Pest Control Clean your kitchen areas properly and frequently. Instil in your employees the importance of good hygiene by making sure they clean up spills and crumbs and dispose of their rubbish and leftover food and drink Check your bins are emptied regularly and external bins taken away for disposal. Make sure bins have tight fitting lids and consider investing in external pest proof bins Clear desk policies are easier to implement in our connected world so there’s no excuse for employees to create pest harbourage and food sources on their desks anymore! Pest proof your office. Make sure regular maintenance jobs are completed by blocking holes and sealing gaps. Pay attention to the high-risk areas such as window frames and doors, pipes and air vents. Fix leaks as soon as you spot them, pests need water as well as a food source Train your staff to spot a potential or actual pest problem. For example, make sure your maintenance staff are actively looking for access points and pest harbourage. Ask your cleaners and other office staff to look out for signs of pests such as droppings, strong smells and insects on plants Make sure your caretakers or building maintenance staff pay attention to the external permitter keeping shrubs and trees cut back and preferably away from the building, clearing piles of leaves and keeping window and door frames clean and clear All of these things will help you to minimise your risk of experiencing a pest problem in your office business. Top Five Pests Found in Offices Rats Mice Ants Flies Cockroaches How to Deal with an Office Pest Problem The first thing to do is not panic. Make sure your staff report any problems as soon as they are spotted and explain they should not try to handle a pest problem themselves for their own and others’ health and safety. Call a professional pest controller, they have access to solutions not available to the general public and they are trained to deal with pests in a safe and effective manner. If you have got a pest problem, it’s usually best to call in the professionals. For all your pest problems give PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford and Worcester a call on our local number 01981 540088 or 07964 370480 for a free no-obligation chat. If you prefer, you can email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or use the live chat facility on our website and if we’re not available on the live chat for any reason then there’s a handy message service for you to leave your details so we can call you back.

Hearing noises in the loft can be very unsettling, even enough for you to avoid going up to see what pests you may have! This can be a major problem when it comes to lofts and attics. Because we rarely visit them, we often don’t realise there’s a problem before it’s too late. A window may be poorly sealed, allowing a mouse to slip in through a crack, or a missing tile may have given way to a small hole in your roof, an entry point that roof rats especially like to exploit. One of the best ways to limit unwanted intrusions by insects, rodents, birds, squirrels and other pests is to deny them entry - a procedure known as pest proofing. Many pests seek refuge in homes and other buildings in response to changes in weather, such as extended periods of rain or drought, or the onset of cooler temperatures in autumn. Taking steps to block their entry before they end up inside can greatly reduce the chances of future sightings. Five Most Common Loft Pests Mice Rats Squirrels Wasps Birds Don’t run the risk of bad odours, disease, or electrical hazards. If you think any of these pests may have infested your loft space, reach out to a professional immediately to have them removed. Noises in the Loft? If you’re hearing noises in the loft and find signs of habitation like droppings, nesting, or damage caused by gnawing, you might just be dealing with loft pests. Loft spaces are the ideal environment for rodents They can damage stored items by gnawing and could even chew through your electric cabling. They leave droppings and other animal matter, which make your loft space the ideal breeding ground for insects and diseases. When rodents need to be taken out of your home, our expert pest controller acts in accordance with the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU); we’re dedicated to protecting people, pets and the planet. We are contentious about the types of products we use and we stand by them. Looking for a pest removal service in Hereford or Worcester? Check out our loft pest control and clearance services to see what we have to offer. Pest Proof Your Home Did you know that mice can squeeze through a hole the size of the end of a biro? Rats can push themselves through a hole no bigger than a fifty pence. This means that just about any hole in your roof or attic needs to be fixed immediately. If there’s a way to exploit an entrance to your home, rodents will certainly find a way, and then you’ll be sure to see signs of a rodent infestation before too long. Sometimes there is more than one entry point and only by proofing many different areas will a solution be reached. Many homes are repeat targets for rodent and other pest infestations. Rodents can cause damage to the home, spoil food and spread disease. The home owners find themselves baiting and trapping rodents year after year in a never ending cycle. This usually happens because the home owners are relying on getting rid of a rat infestation or a mouse infestation instead of preventing one. Rodent infestations can be prevented by rodent proofing your home. At PGM & SON we provide a loft clearance and a pest proofing service to ensure your loft space is pest free. As part of our loft clearance and pest proofing service our technician will help you to ensure that your home remains pest free with tips and helpful advice. Let us clear your loft space so you can utilise the space. Call PGM & Son Loft Clearance Herefordshire, Worcestershire & Gloucestershire on 01981 241334 / 07964 370480 for advice and guidance. Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or use our live chat facility at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

Why are some animals associated with Halloween and pest control? Rats have been long feared. Known to infest abandoned, filthy, run-down places rats were associated with plagues and epidemics in times gone by. In fact, rats were blamed for the Black Death plague across Europe in the 14th and 17th centuries although more recent studies suggest that they might not have been responsible after all. Do Rats carry diseases? Rats carry diseases, some-times very serious and potentially fatal diseases so naturally people are fearful of the rat. Check out our popular Pest Top Trumps series, this month we’ve a Rat Trumps card for you! However, in modern times rats continue to cause problems and rats are up there with wasps as the UK’s most nuisance pest. Experiencing a rat problem in Hereford? Need rat control in Worcester? Get in touch with PGM & Son Rodent Control Herefordshire and Worcestershire at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or call us on 01981 540088 or drop us an email at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk for all your Rat Control needs. We’re always on the end of the ‘phone for advice so don’t worry about your Rat problems, give us a call!

As we ring in the new year of 2023, the team at PGM & SON would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers past, present and future for your continued trust and support. We are grateful to have the opportunity to serve you and help keep your homes and businesses free of pests. As we look ahead to the new year, we remain committed to providing the highest level of service and professionalism. We will continue to use the most effective and eco-friendly techniques to keep your spaces pest-free, and we will always go above and beyond to ensure your satisfaction. We wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy new year. Here's to a happy, healthly and pest-free 2023! Happy New Year! Over the New Year we’re on hand to help with any pest problems you may have including Rat and rodent removal, bed bug control and flea control across the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire For all your pest control needs contact PGM & Son Pest Control Services Herefordshire and Worcestershire at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or call us on 01981 540088 or drop us an email at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

A big thank you to all our customers for your business during 2022 We’re open for business as usual over the Christmas period so don’t worry about your pest problems contact PGM & SON, your local Pest Control Service in Hereford and Worcester for pest advice, pest guidance and pest solutions. If you have a rat problem or mice problem or any other pest problem this Christmas give PGM & Son Pest Control Herefordshire and Worcestershire a call. Some of our Pest Control Services include: We also offer advice and assistance with preventative measures for commercial businesses. We won't charge a fee until we've agreed a price with you - there's no hidden charges with PGM & Son. For a full range of our services please go to our service page. For all your pest control needs contact PGM & Son Pest Control Herefordshire and Worcestershire at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or call us on 01981 540088 or drop us an email at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

Around halloween and this time of year, we always get calls from Herefordshire and Worcestershire householders worried about spiders. If you’re worried about spiders, read on. Why you shouldn’t be worried about spiders In the UK our native spiders are not dangerous or a threat so although they can be a nuisance and many people have a fear of them, they are not something you should be concerned or worried about. Reasons to love your spiders Spiders eat flies - yes, spiders are your greatest defence against a fly infestation. And they eat other small bothersome insects in the garden making them a great natural predator for gardeners. Let’s applaud them for that! Spider webs are beautiful. Have you ever looked closely at a spider web before? If you haven’t, we thoroughly recommend taking time to look. They are amazing, intricate patterns of silverly, lacey web they weave to catch their prey. In the morning dew they look simply stunning. If you are worried a spider might be dangerous... If you are worried that you have come across a species of spider that might be dangerous you can contact the Natural History Museum or your local RSPCA centre for advice. We’d point out that it is very rare in the UK to come across a dangerous spider. How to get rid of spiders The best way to get rid of a spider, the most humane and cheapest option is to place a small carton or glass over it and slide a piece of card between the carton or glass and the surface the spider is on. Then, take your spider and release it outside. Lots of people have a fear of spiders (arachnophobia) so if you suffer from this, ask a friend, family member of neighbour to do this for you. Spiders seem like they can move super-fast which probably accounts partly for some people’s fear of them. However, they are like the cheetahs of the insect world – they must stop for a breather after a short sprint and even flat out they can only reach speeds of around 1mph. You CAN out-run a spider! A note on the False Widow The false widow receives a lot of bad press in the UK. Not to be confused by the black widow (an extremely rare species in the UK), they aren’t deadly. It can look big and scary but the biggest its body grows is to around 14mm and a bite from a false widow would be very rare. Males are more prone to biting but this is usually only ever when provoked or trapped against skin. If you should be very unlucky to be bitten by a false widow, you can be assured that it is likely to be no worse than a wasp sting. Check out the Natural History Museum’s interesting article on the false widow spider: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-dangerous-are-false-widow-spiders.html Armed with these facts, you can be much more at ease with your spiders. And finally, the money spider is said to carry great fortune if it sits on you so look out for these tiny shiny black spiders – we could all do with some good luck! For all your pest control needs, give PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford a call on 01981 251116 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 the live chat facility on our website. We’re always on the end of the ‘phone for advice so don’t worry about your pest problems, give us a call now!

Got Bed Bugs? We’ve Got It Covered! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The history of bed bugs dates back thousands of years! The Cimex lectularius is the most common type of bed bug found in the UK. After WWII, there was a reported increase in bed bugs. The increase in their population was attributed to the heating systems used in homes which created warm living conditions for them to thrive in. Bed Bugs are small, oval, brownish insects that feed on the blood of human hosts. Adult bed bugs have flat bodies about the size of an apple seed. After feeding, however, their bodies swell and are a reddish colour. Bed bugs do not fly, but they can move quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings. Bed Bugs | National Geographic Video ‘’Smelling a musty odour in your bedroom could mean you have a bed bug infestation’’ Signs that you may have bed bugs include: Blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases. Dark or rusty spots of bed bug excrement on sheets and mattresses, bed clothes, and walls. Bed bug faecal spots, egg shells, or shed skins in areas where bedbugs hide. An offensive, musty odour from the bugs' scent glands. Bites on your body - When bed bugs bite, you often see clusters of bites. Each cluster usually contains 3 to 5 bites that appear in a zigzag pattern. Places in your home where bed bugs live are: Your mattress The box spring of your bed Walls near your bed or other furniture Bedside tables Headboards and bed frames Wardrobes Sheets Curtains and carpets Luggage and clothing Sofas, armchairs or other furniture where you spend time How did I get bed bugs in the first place? Bed bugs come in as stowaways in luggage, furniture, clothing, pillows, boxes, and more when these are moved between properties. Moving won’t solve the problem, since bed bugs can travel and they lie dormant in properties to wait for a human host. So, although it sounds strange, when treating bed bugs, it’s best not to sleep away from home. Used furniture, particularly bed frames and mattresses, are prone to harbour bed bugs. Watch out for items sold on second-hand sites or at car boot sales! Because they survive for many months without food, bed bugs could already be present in clean, vacated properties meaning that there could be a problem when you move into a new home. What should everyone know about bed bugs? YOU CAN STOP THEIR SPREAD Adults are ¼”, reddish-brown and flat. You can see them without magnification but early stages of bed bugs (nymphs) are tiny and very hard to detect with the human eye. They like to hide in cracks and crevices. Inspect sleeping areas—if you find a bed bug, STOP looking and contact a professional. Do-it-yourself pest control is often not successful. However, you can take steps to minimize your risk of having bed bugs such as washing and tumble-drying items on a hot setting, dry cleaning and deep freezing items. Live bugs or eggs may drop off while moving things from one place to another—items with bed bugs should be sealed in a bag before moving them. Check second-hand purchases carefully for bed bugs. Tell your friends! Not warning others robs them of the chance to avoid bringing bed bugs into their homes and businesses. Having bed bugs don’t mean you have a dirty property or unhygienic practices – it’s just bad luck! How to get rid of bedbugs? Bed bugs can be very difficult to treat. Bed bugs can die at very high or very low temperatures, or they can be treated by an insecticide with industrial strength. DIY bed bug treatments often don’t have the desired effects. If you suspect an active infestation book a professional bed bug treatment to confirm you have a problem and to carry out effective treatment for you. Interesting Bed bug Facts! According to the National Pest Management Association, almost all (97 percent) pest professionals have treated bed bugs in the past year. A majority of them say that overall bed bug service work and the prevalence of these pests are increasing. Bed bugs may be easily confused with other pests; many pest control professionals were initially contacted about a different type of pest before identifying them as bed bugs. For example, pest controllers were often contacted about fleas and cockroaches only to discover the issue was bed bugs. More than half of pest control professionals noted that they receive the most bed bug complaints during the summer, as increased travel during this time of the year may help spread bed bugs from holiday destinations to homes and also to residential properties as students return from universities and colleges. However, with global travel now more wide-spread, bed bugs are often encountered year-round. Bites are the most commonly reported sign of an infestation and more than half of people reach out for treatment after discovering bites and welts on their bodies. Although some people immediately develop a skin reaction to bites, others may take two to three days before showing obvious symptoms or any symptoms at all, meaning that people could be unaware of a bed bug problem until a full-blown infestation has taken root. Typically found in sofas and bed frames, bed bugs can also be found in some of the most unexpected places, including stuffed toys, wheelchairs, aeroplanes, school buses, handbags and even inside bedside lamps. Many pest professionals agree that this bloodsucking pest is the most difficult pest to control. If an infestation is suspected, the British Pest Control Association and National Pest Technicians’ Association A recommend contacting a fully qualified, professional pest professional preferably a member of either trade body (NPTA or BPCA). When working with a qualified professional, follow their advice to ensure that your bedbug treatment is more effective. For more information on bed bugs, visit www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk/bed-bug-control Need bed bugs treated in Hereford? Call PGM & Son Pest Control on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480. Or, email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

What am I? I am a blood sucker My neighbours have included T-Rex I am nocturnal I can survive in most temperatures but I ideally thrive at around 21-32 degrees Celsius The Answer is... I am a bedbug! More Information on Bedbugs Bites may cause an allergic reaction but they are not a disease carrier. Bedbugs are commonly confused with a flea infestation. Correct identification is critical as treatment will vary from treatment for fleas. Depending on the level of infestation, 1-2 treatments may be required. Control Measures for Bedbugs Treatment of all harbourages must take place; bedding, wall joints, skirting boards, furniture, structure of building and possibly roof voids Removing clutter which makes it easier to spot bedbugs Washing and drying bed clothes and bed linen on the highest temperatures permitted Making sure you closely inspect any second hand furniture brought into the premises Inspecting premises after relevant events such as overnight guests in hotels Catching bedbugs early will reduce the possibility of a costly treatment. However, once bedbugs are in your home or premises they can be very difficult to control. To get rid of bedbugs you should seek professional pest control help in Hereford. GOT BEDBUGS? WE'VE GOT IT COVERED! We manage bed bug control for many leading hotel chains as well as individual premises throughout Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Our qualified team of professionals bring their experience and know-how with them on every job. But what really sets our services apart from the rest of the industry is our attention to detail and receptiveness to the unique needs of each client. PGM & SON Pest Control are specialists in hotel bed bug removal and control in Hereford & Worcester. For all your bedbug control needs contact PGM & Son Pest Control Herefordshire and Worcestershire at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk/contact or call us on 01981 540088 or drop us an email at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk YOUR LOCAL AWARD WINNING PEST CONTROL SERVICES IN HEREFORD & WORCESTER INSPECT. DETECT. PROTECT.

With 24 Hour Response! Who are we? PGM & SON provide pest control solutions to individuals and businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. We offer a variety of techniques, including pesticide free and organic solutions, preventative and proofing works and more traditional methods. We can eradicate your pest problems - rats, mice, flies, fleas, squirrels, moles, rabbits, cockroaches, clothes & carpet moth, carpet beetles, bedbugs, wasps, bees, hornets, and birds. Call us now for a personal, polite, smart and professional service. What do we do? PGM & SON provide pest control solutions to residential and commercial businesses across Herefordshire. Our company is a respected and experienced pest control service. Any of your bug and pest problems will be quickly eliminated with quality & guaranteed work by our professionally trained technicians who can control pests safely, legally and effectively. Need Urgent Pest Control in Herefordshire? Call PGM & SON Hereford For Rapid Response Pest Solutions Residential and Commercial Pest Control Services throughout Herefordshire Ant Control Some ant species can pose risks to the structure of a building whilst others can give a very nasty bite! By taking practical steps to eliminate ants and then ensuring you prevent a re-infestation, you can soon take control of the problem. Call us today for advice. Bed Bug Control We offer bed bug control for Herefordshire commercial properties such as B&Bs and hotel chains as well as Hereford residential premises. We bring our experience and know-how on every job. But what really sets our services apart from others is our attention to the unique needs of each client. We are your local pest controller in Hereford. Bird Mite Control Bird Mites are very small and are closely related to ticks. Like ticks, certain types of mites are parasitic on humans and will occasionally infest Hereford homes, commercial property and Herefordshire office buildings. Carpet Beetle Control Finding holes in your carpet, clothes and general upholstery in and around your home is the number one sign of carpet beetles. Although the name suggests they live within your carpet, they will also feast upon all sorts of fabric, clothing, furs, and stuffed specimens. Give us a call today to help inspect your Herefordshire home for pests. Carpet Moth Control If you notice small balding patches in the corners and at the edges of your carpets, the chances are that you have an infestation of carpet moths. This is a problem that needs immediate attention because it will continue to get worse. Carpet moths are stubborn when it comes to leaving your Hereford home! Cluster Fly Control Services As flies can enter your home or business every time someone opens a door, controlling them can be challenging. We can help with cluster fly control. Cockroach Control Cockroaches reproduce at record speed and they are disease carries so it’s important to treat a cockroach infestation as soon as one presents. Call PGM Pest Control Hereford at the first signs of activity to avoid serious related health risks. Flea Control Ridding a home of fleas can be a frustrating and costly endeavour. Unlike some pests encountered around the home, fleas cause discomfort and irritation to both pets and people. Green Pest Control | Environmentally Friendly Pest Control in Herefordshire Our green pest control solutions emphasise quality service, food safety, public safety, collaboration and communication, respect for the environment and the protection of your facility and reputation. Hornet Nest Control Hornets are an asset to the environment as they are important pollinators and natural predators. Often known as nature’s pest controllers, they control other small pests, such as aphids, making them a gardener’s best friend. However, we know they can be a nuisance and potentially dangerous to some people and pets. Loft Clearance, Removal & Disposal of Contaminated Material Servicing Herefordshire & Worcestershire - PGM & SON are specialists in the removal of contaminated loft insulation, pipe lagging, pest corpses and pest faeces such as rat and mouse droppings and bird guano, including disinfection, cleaning and the laying of new insulation and pipe lagging throughout Herefordshire. Mouse Control Mice are a public health pest and can cause serious harm. They are carriers of nasty diseases such as salmonella and listeria which they can spread to humans. Mice can also multiple quickly which can increase the problem exponentially. Taking control of a mice infestation quickly is important, so call us today for help and solutions in Hereford. Moth Control Pretty much all moth types love to live in dirty, dark and humid places where nobody disturbs them for long periods. This gives them the time and freedom to destroy clothes and food. Call us today for advice on how to get rid of, and prevent, moths in the Herefordshire home and business. Rat & Rodent Control Unfortunately rats and mice live wherever humans live. These rodents have a remarkable ability to adapt and survive. As they forage for food, they will inadvertently contaminate food storage areas, and damage buildings, and other property by their constant gnawing and burrowing. They also can spread diseases to people and pets. Silverfish Inspection and Extermination Have you seen silverfish in your Hereford business or property? Silverfish may be an indicator of a damp problem so it’s always best to get it checked out. Silverfish are small wingless insects around 12mm long and silver in colour with a distinctive cigar-shaped body. Check your Hereford property or contact us today. Wasp Nest Control Hereford Wasps are an asset to the environment as they control other small pests. However, we know they can be a nuisance and potentially dangerous to some people and pets. Call our Herefordshire wasp control hotline if you have a wasp nest you need to get rid of. Woodworm Infestation Control Woodworm can cause very expensive damage to properties and woodworm itself can be difficult and costly to treat. DIY treatments are rarely effective so call in the professionals to treat your woodworm. We are redefining the industry #makepestcontrolgreenagain Commercial Pest Control Services in Hereford PGM & SON offers Herefordshire commercial businesses, offices, warehouses, restaurants, hotels, clubs, pubs, council properties, schools and hospitals a full range of pest management options tailored to suit the needs of any business. Our aim is to resolve your pest control problem as quickly as possible whilst minimising disruption to your business operations. Our integrated commercial pest treatment solutions will help you remove pests from your commercial space. To read more about our commercial pest control services and solutions go to https://www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk/commercial-pest-control What areas do we cover? We cover Herefordshire and Worcestershire, you can check our coverage by clicking here www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk/locations Why choose us? We offer pest control advice and assistance throughout Herefordshire with preventative measures. We won't charge a fee until we've agreed a price with you - there's no hidden charges with PGM & SON. Can you afford not to have PGM Pest Control on speed dial? Our award winning team offers pest control services and solutions for domestic and commercial premises. PGM & SON Hereford offers professional pest control in Hereford and Herefordshire. Our pest controller can remove pests such as bed bugs, rats, mice, cockroaches, carpet beetles, squirrels, fleas, ants and wasps. PGM & SON is an established Pest Control Company serving Herefordshire and all local Herefordshire villages. Our Upper Tier Carrier Dealer registration permits us to carry, handle and dispose of customers controlled waste. Controlled wastes include commercial, industrial, household and hazardous waste. PGM Pest Control Hereford are experts in pest control and property care solutions for homes and businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Get in touch today to solve your property's pest problems on 01981 241334. Ten reasons why are we different to other pest control companies in Hereford? We Are Local and Family Run And Owned Fast Response Local BPCA Certified Pest Control Experts Honest And Reliable, We Put Our Customers First Fully Insured And Qualified Award Winning We Care About The Environment! Your Satisfaction Is Our Priority We Provide An Education And Prevention Strategy Eco Friendly, Children And Pet Safe Pest Control Solutions Inspect. Detect. Protect. The Right People | The Right Solutions. Our family and pet friendly technologies have made PGM & SON a leader in environmentally friendly pest control. We are your recommended local Pest and Vermin Control Management Services in Herefordshire. Don’t let a pest problem get worse – often pests breed rapidly so what may start as a small problem can quickly escalate – Call in the professionals today to sort out a pest infestation. Contact PGM & SON Pest Control on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480 Or, email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk #pestcontrolnearme #pestcontrolhereford #pestcontrolherefordshire #pestcontrol24hours PGM PEST CONTROL HEREFORD - YOUR LOCAL PEST CONTROLLER

Introducing The Ant! This week we are excited to carry on with our series of "Pest Trumps" at PGM & SON Pest Control Services with The Ant. Each file is available for free download, and you may use them at work to help identify pests for the protection of your workers and customers. The PGM "Pest Control Trumps" set of information cards were created to assist with pest-related issues in the UK and to ensure the public are armed with the correct information about each pest we highlight in our pest trump series. By proactively promoting an integrated pest management approach, we can protect people and food as well as wildlife and the environment. We all have an important part to play in educating the public and business that prevention is better than cure. At PGM & SON we know stewardship and sustainability are critical both to the survival of the pest control industry and to our planet. Fact File These highly organised and social insects are noticeable by their head, thorax and abdomen. With narrow waists and a sharp elbow joint in their antennae, the foraging worker ants march into buildings to search for food to take back to the nest to feed their larvae and queen. DID YOU KNOW? Flying ants are reproductive males and females who have a nuptial swarming flight for a few days usually in July and August. STRENGTH ~ 8 What can we say?! If anyone has ever seen a tiny army of ants on the march, they can’t fail to be impressed. These minute insects have strength in numbers and are fascinating to watch. BREEDING ~ 8 Flying ants' mate in flight after which the female will find a nest for the winter. She then lays her eggs the following spring to start a new colony. The ability to survive through the winter to start a new colony in the spring seems like a massive feat to us for such a tiny insect! The average lifespan of an ant can be anything from several weeks to several years. NUISANCE FACTOR ~ 10 Although impressive in their skills and teamwork, ants are a major nuisance factor. They love sweet foods and will forage in kitchens and just about anywhere to find food which they can take back to their nest. The problem with an ant is that they march across most surfaces to find and transport their food including other animal faeces, dirt, grime and bacteria. The ant is a major disease transmitter for this reason. Ants are also very hard to control due to their size, ability to access buildings through miniscule holes and cracks, build inaccessible nests and their sheer numbers. AGILIGTY ~ 8 Ants make complex and vast nests with multiple inaccessible entry points. In the garden, ant nests occupy a much larger volume of soil than the surface excavations might suggest. ENVIRONMENTAL ~ 7 The common ant is an important insect and can be found in pretty much every garden across the UK. They are an important part of biodiversity. Ants feed on other invertebrates including other ants. They also collect sweet liquid known as honeydew from aphids and sap-feeding insects. They do little damage to plants although they can disturb the soil around the roots to use for nests. Superpower Teamwork! Overall PGM Rating 7/10 For an ant, it’s all about great teamwork. They may be tiny insects, but they are mighty team players! Ants can be a major nuisance in a home or business, and they are disease carriers, so they score low on both points. However, in the garden, ants are an important part of biodiversity and win extra points for this. They are also fascinating insects with impressive ability given their small size.

To finish off the month we thought we’d share a passage from Bernadine Evaristo’s Booker Prize winning book ‘Girl, Woman, Other’ that we thought really summed up pest control. “Daddy worked in Pest Control for the council, which gave him great job satisfaction, no two days are ever the same, he’d say, as they sat around the kitchen table eating their tea of fish fingers and salad, it’s my role to kill the devilish vermin who plague people’s properties and give them nightmares, and then to heal their trauma with reassuring words it’s a vocation, a calling, my contribution to the world, y’unnderstan? Apart from the “kill the devilish vermin” (as responsible pest controllers, this should always be a last resort), the words “great job satisfaction”; “no two days are the same”; “heal their trauma with reassuring words” and “it’s a vocation, a calling” really resonated with us. The Definition of a Pest Controller Pest Control is all about helping people, finding solutions to problems and commitment. We thought Bernadine Evaristo summed this up brilliantly in her magnificent literary piece. For all your vermin control needs contact PGM & SON Rodent Control Herefordshire and Worcestershire on 01981 540088 or drop us an email at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk About us PGM & SON is an Award-Winning service that provide pest control solutions to individuals and businesses across Hereford and Worcester. We also offer a variety of techniques, including pesticide free and organic solutions, preventative and proofing works and more traditional methods. We are available 7 days a week to eradicate your pest problems - rats, mice, flies, fleas, squirrels, moles, rabbits, cockroaches, clothes & carpet moth, carpet beetles, bedbugs, wasps, bees, hornets, and birds. Call us now for a personal, polite, smart and professional service.

How to tell if you have Carpet Beetles? Ask yourself these questions: 1. Do your carpets and rugs shows signs of holes or damage? 2. Are your leather sofas and chairs being nibbled? 3. Is there damage to your books and paperwork? 4. Have you noticed any shedding / bristly skins which are causing itching? 5. Have you see faecal matter, black or brown in colour and very dry? Sounds like you’ve got a carpet beetle problem! Carpet beetles can cause a huge amount of damage and they’re not easy to control or get rid of. Often, people mis-interpret signs of carpet beetle as moth activity. And it’s often difficult to locate the source of the problem because they are so small and they feast on lots of regular household items. We report regularly on preventative pest control measures and there’s no change here – it’s important to keep your home carpet beetle and pest-free. The Carpet Beetle Adults are most often see from April to June which is why, at PGM Pest Control Hereford, we’ve had an increase in carpet beetle enquiries recently. Don’t let the problem continue as it can end up costing large amounts of money, time, inconvenience and loss of your treasured items. But don’t despair! Call the pest experts today - at PGM & SON Pest Control Herefordshire we’ll give you help, advice and solutions for all your pest problems, including carpet beetle. Call PGM & SON Pest Control today for friendly advice and a free no-obligation quote on 07964 370480.