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Introducing The Honeybee! PGM & SON Pest Control Services are proud to announce our new series of 'Pest Trumps'! Today we launch the first of many of our information cards about pests so you can understand more about our work and how pests have a place in our world. You can download each file for free to use at your workplace to help identify pests for the safety of your staff and visitors. The collection of the PGM 'Pest Control Trump' information cards are produced to help with pest-related problems within UK. << DOWNLOAD FOR FREE >> PGM & SON are compiling a comprehensive range of 'Pest Trump' publications available for the pest management sector and the general public to download for free to help with pest-related problems in the UK. If you wish to keep updated with our latest updates in the Pest Trump range please subscribe to our blog and never miss an update!

Here's how our trained pest controllers helped rescue wild bees! What should I do if I find a wild bee colony in my house, garden or property? Bees are a valuable pollinators and pest control companies will not destroy bee nests. If it is a honey bee hive then you should get in contact with your local bee keeper association and they will put you in contact with local beekeepers who may be able to remove the colony for you or advise you on what to do. There are over 200 types of Bees in the UK, including 25 types of bumblebees! Different types of bee may require different treatment methods. Note: pest controllers do not apply bee treatments unless there's a serious threat to human life, 25% of all bee types are endangered. Advice about Relocating Bees If a nest is outside or underground then there shouldn't be a reason to move it. In more conventional and accessible places such as bushes, trees and sheds, then contacting a local beekeeper or pest controller to relocate the nest is an option. If you suspect you have honeybees and they are causing you problems then we would recommend you use a swarm collector from the British Bee Keepers Association or getting in touch with the Tree Bee Society. In most cases, they will come and collect the swarm free of charge. Relocating a colony or a swarm of Bees in Hereford & Worcester When moving a beehive from one place to another a few things need to be taken into consideration, reducing stress on the bees and avoiding unpleasant surprises. If you follow some rules it can be quite simple. Not knowing the rules or not following them can have disastrous effects. Everything valid about relocating a beehive is also applicable when relocating a feral bee colony after the nest has been transferred into a hive. Relocating a captured bee swarm is much simpler. A bee swarm has "forgotten" were it came from and the bees of a swarm reset their navigation system's home location once they have found a new home. Therefore, having captured a swarm, no rules apply for the new location - provided the swarm is relocated within a day from the time of capture. A swarm can be placed close to the home it emerged from; the bees accept the new hive location as their home and will not get disoriented or confused being near to their original location, even if it is only a meter away. What should you do if a swarm of bees takes up residence in your home or garden? It's the time of year when bees are at their most active and numerous reports have been coming in of swarms in gardens and even getting into properties. Most beekeepers may make a charge for removal of a swarm from your garden depending on travelling distances to cover costs of petrol etc. Swarms of honey bees can usually be safely removed by a suitably qualified beekeeper if they are contacted in time. If the honey bees have left their post swarming clustering place and taken up residence in the fabric of a building, that can be more difficult (if not impossible) to be safely dealt with by a beekeeper. Professional pest control personnel will be required to undertake the work either solely or in conjunction with a beekeeper. If the honey bees are not causing a nuisance or a threat, they can be left alone. Some properties are known to have had honey bee colonies within their fabric for many years without causing any disturbance or problems to the property owner. Beekeepers are unable to help remove bumblebees, wasps, solitary bees or hornets so it is best to call in a pest control professional to help you solve the problem. Get in touch with PGM & SON today for bee nest removal help, support and guidance across Herefordshire and Worcestershire on 01981 540088 or 07964 370480.

This week we’re reporting on the high numbers of call outs we’re getting about bees. Bees are vitally important to our ecosystem. They are beneficial and should be protected where possible. Why do we love bees at PGM & Son Pest Control? 1. Bees are pollinators – they help plants to grow, breed and produce food. 2. The vast majority of plants we need for food rely on pollination, especially by bees. 3. Bees also pollinate the beautiful wild flowers across the countryside Thanks to bees we enjoy a range of foods from apples to pears to coffee and vanilla. And if you are wearing cotton, that’s because the cotton plant your threads came from was pollinated. Bees are not the only pollinators, but they are specialists – call them the subject matter experts of pollination! And contrary to popular belief – bees are not normally aggressive towards humans. If left alone to do their important job, they won’t bother you. Damage to our environment has been a hot topic in the news recently. Most of us care about the environment and the future for the next generations and the animal and insect kingdom so it’s very important we work together to protect species, particularly those on the decline such as the vitally important bee. What can you do if you have bees? • Keep away from them. • Don’t panic if your bees are more active on warm days – this is entirely normal. • Enjoy watching them from a distance – bees are fascinating creatures! • Educate your children on the benefits of bees and keep your children and pets away from them to allow them to do their important work. • Make sure you carry out routine maintenance on your home to avoid bees entering your property or business. • Leave them alone – they will naturally go towards the end of summer so enjoy your bees while you can! CHECK OUT THE PHOTO OF THIS FASCINATING BEES’ NEST WE RECENTLY HELPED RELOCATE!! What can you expect if you call PGM & SON about a bee problem? Firstly, we’ll ask you a bit more about your bees, what they look like, where you’ve seen them and also a bit about you and your family and pets. We do this to see whether there is an immediate risk to public health. If we believe there’s no immediate threat then we won’t treat bees; there’s no need to be alarmed about this. Bees won’t usually cause you any problems and we’ll normally advise you to leave them alone to carry on their important work of fulfilling their seasonal cycle which benefits the ecosystem around your home or business. You can also expect advice from us – we’ll give you advice over the ‘phone and we’ll often follow this up by sending you a copy of our guidance for bees. This document explains why we don’t treat bees as a pest and how you can contact local beekeepers who may be able to remove the swarm. When are bees considered a public health risk? We may treat a bees’ nest if the location of a bees’ nest is dangerous and removal is not possible. Or, if there are people with allergies living in the property or working on the premises. These are normally rare situations and so usually we will leave a bees’ nest alone. Learn more about bee nest removal advice here. If you have a bee problem you need help with in Herefordshire or Worcestershire, give PGM & Son Pest Control a call so we can discuss a range of solutions with you, which enable us to live in harmony with our friends the bees. Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or call us on 01981 540088 / 07964 370480 or use our contact us page on the website to ask us for a copy of our guidance on bees.

Got Bees? Let them bee! The UK saw a lovely warm sunny weather over the weekend and with that weather set to continue, we have already enjoyed seeing the bee population starting their important job of pollinating. Why we should love and protect our bees • Bees are critical to the ecosystem across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. • Bees pollinate around a third of all our crops, including those we use to feed our livestock. • Around a quarter of all bee types are endangered Bees are the key workers of the insect kingdom. Bees are critical to our ecosystem and it is essential that they are protected. At PGM & Son Pest Control WE LOVE OUR BEES! #leavethebeesalone! Top 5 Tips for dealing with Bees 1. Topping the bee tip chart our key advice is, if you can, LEAVE THEM BEE! Our advice is always leave bees alone wherever possible and let the bees go about their very important ecological business. 2. Coming in at number 2 is to encourage children to watch the bees going about their work. Bees are fascinating insects, and it is a real education observing them. The good news is that bees are not usually aggressive but as with any insect or animal they must be respected. Remind children to socially distance with the bees whilst watching them pollinate. 3. As the weather starts to hot up, bees will become more active. This is entirely normally so no need to panic! Importantly, remember that bees will go away and not return to the nesting site after the summer. In fact, by the time most people notice a colony, the activity will be naturally declining. 4. If your bees are causing a problem because of their location then call in a local beekeeper to see whether they can relocate the nest for you (but only if it’s necessary and you are unable to leave it where it is). 5. If you are worried about bees, give us a call at PGM & Son Hereford as we can talk to you about why bees are important and set your mind at rest about the risk to you. In most cases, the risk of being stung will be extremely low. In rare situations bees can be hazardous and, where there is a threat to the public, you can contact a pest controller to address the problem. Examples are where someone in a household has a severe allergy or bees are in a location easily accessible to vulnerable children and adults who may not understand the importance of leaving them bee. If a pest controller doesn’t risk assess your situation – bee-ware! If you have a bee problem you need help with, give PGM & Son Pest Control a call so we can discuss a range of solutions with you, which enable us to live in harmony with our friends the bees. Check our our bee nest removal page for guidance. Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or call us on 01981 540088 / 07964 370480 or use our our live chat facility at the bottom of your screen.

This week we’re looking at the subject of mice. Did you know each part of the mouse breeding cycle takes typically around 21 days? That’s around 3 weeks for gestation, around 3 weeks for weaning and a further 3 to 3 and a half weeks for developing to maturity. Mouse fact number 1: Mice typically survive for less than a year in the wild. How many babies do mice produce? On average between 5 and 7 pups but it can be up to 12. A female can become pregnant almost immediately after giving birth which is one reason why an infestation of mice can rapidly become out of control. That means females can produce between 5 and 10 litters a year. 120 mice from one female is a lot of mice! Mouse fact number 2: Mice are colour blind. Their other senses make up for this though – they have an acute sense of hearing and they use their whiskers to sense temperature changes and surface textures. Mouse fact number 3: Mice are nocturnal and are great at climbing, jumping and swimming – contenders for the rodent Olympics! Mouse fact number 4: Mice can squeeze through any gap into which they can fit their head – around 5mm . And the reason they can do this is that they have flexible ribs! Unlike rats, mice make multiple trips at night to various food sources which can make it difficult to control them with toxic bait. This differs from rats who will gobble up one food source. How can I prevent Mice? Proof, proof, proof! Seal your entry points. This can be quite difficult with mice – remember how we said they can squeeze through a hole 5mm in diameter? That’s equivalent to the end of a bic biro! Start with low level gaps first and then move to higher entry points. Take particular care around areas like pipes, windows, doors and cellars or basements as we often find these are common entry points for mice. If you gap under a door is larger than 4mm then install a door brush strip. Take a good look around the exterior of your property for potential nesting sites. This means cutting back any overgrown areas and clearing debris. Keep your garden clean and tidy. Do the same in your cellar, basement and loft! Check household waste is tidied away into sealed bins and that your rubbish is collected or removed regularly. Don’t forget about your compost heap either – make sure you have a suitable cover. Clear and wipe down surfaces in your house – don’t give mice a food source. Put unused food away into sealed containers. Encourage your teenagers to clean their rooms regularly and to empty their bins. A teenager’s room is often the place that used crockery and food crumbs are found so important to try to train your teenager! As the British Pest Control Association says, “Whilst good hygiene won’t eliminate a mouse problem, poor practices will attract them.” How to get rid of Mice If you do have a mouse problem, we recommend contacting a professional fully qualified pest controller. You can adopt some DIY mouse control methods but, in our experience, these rarely work effectively. If you do want to have a go at your DIY mouse control, then make sure you read the label on any amateur use poisons and traps you buy. And, when placing traps or poison make sure that you place them in a safe and secure place out of the reach of children and pets and any other non-target species. However, the best way to deal with a mouse problem is to find your local BPCA Pest Controller . PGM & Son Pest Control is fully trained in handling mice infestations . We have access to a range of professional mice control treatments that are not available to the general public. PGM & Son Pest Control technicians are trained to know how much, where and when to use mouse control treatments. And, we have access to monitoring equipment to enable us to determine possible entry points, size of infestation and to track mice to their nest. At PGM & Son Pest Control, we operate an Integrated Pest Management approach meaning that we will work with you to advise you on how to reduce your risk of attracting mice in future. For all your pest control needs, give PGM & Son Pest Control Herefordshire and Worcestershire a call on 01981 540088 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 the right side of your screen.

Introducing The Rat! This week we are excited to carry on with our series of "Pest Trumps" at PGM & SON Pest Control Services with The Rat . 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. THE RAT - FACTS 101 FACT FILE Aside from the wasp, probably the most well-known pest in the UK – the Rat! There are two main rat species in the UK, the most common is Rattus Norvegicus also known as the brown rat. The other is Rattus Rattus which is commonly known as the black rat or ship rat although these are now rarely seen in the UK. Rats are disease carriers and spreaders and so considered a public health risk. DID YOU KNOW Historically, the harsh winter climate in the UK was a natural way of culling the rodent population but with milder climates the rat population in the UK has grown. There are an estimated 150 million rats in the UK so if you haven’t seen one, you’re in the minority. If you own a property, you have a legal obligation to keep premises rodent free, or if there is a threat to health or property, to report it to the local authority. A RATS STRENGTH - 9 The rat’s greatest strength is in their teeth. They can gnaw through just about anything – wood, glass, metal, bone – you name it they can chew it! This means they can cause significant damage to property with their gnawing which can result in structural damage and other significant issues such as fire and flood risk when they chew through electrical cables and pipes. BREEDING OF RATS - 10 Rats score very highly in the breeding category. In fact, the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) awards them a gold medal when it comes to breeding! A female rat can reproduce every 6 weeks and her litters can produce 6-8 babies. Each part of the cycle takes an average of 21 days. A rat can become pregnant very quickly after giving birth so a rat infestation can very rapidly grow out of control. New-borns sexually mature after just 5 weeks when they can also start to produce babies. This means that a pair of brown rats could produce up to 200 babies and 2,000 descendants in just one year or more! NUISANCE FACTOR OF RATS - 10 Rats are a major nuisance both in the house, business premises and garden. They burrow, gnaw, urinate, defecate, nest and generally make a mess. Their urine also produces a very nasty strong, distinctive smell which isn’t easy to get rid of. More than being a nuisance, rats carry and spread serious disease to humans such as Weil’s disease, Salmonella and Listeria. They can also cause significant structural damage to property. All things considered; the rat is up there as one of the UK’s most problematic pests. AGILITY OF RATS - 9 Rats are also agile. Gardeners and allotment holders often report sightings of rats climbing nimbly up bird tables to reach food. They also shimmy up drainpipes and scurry through sewers and squeeze through small holes to get into places. They are good swimmers too. If the rat was entering the Olympics, it would be up for a silver medal in the triathlon! ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS OF THE RAT POPULATION - 2 Although not as essential as other pests we’ve reviewed in this series, nevertheless rats are an important part of balancing our ecosystem. They provide a food source for other predatory animals. Also, they are opportunistic scavengers and will happily clear up the food we throw away. RATS SUPERPOWER - Highly Advanced Rats are highly adaptable and developed. They have a well-developed sense of smell and touch and an acute sense of hearing, frequently using ultrasound to communicate. They are neophobic meaning that they are wary of new objects, and they are highly mobile. All these traits how shown that rats are also capable of being trained. So, all in all, the rat is a highly developed creature. Overall PGM Rating 2/10 The rat scores impressively in pretty much every category and we must give them credit for that. But we’ve given them an overall low rating due to their risk to public health. The rat is widely regarded as the UK’s most problematic pest, most often described as vermin and has been seen as this throughout history. Even going back to the 14th and 17th centuries rats were blamed for the Black Death plague that swept Europe although recent studies suggest that they might not have been responsible.

Introducing The Mouse! This week we are excited to carry on with our series of "Pest Trumps" at PGM & SON Pest Control Services with The Mouse 101. Each pest trump file is available to download for free so you may use them at your business to help identify pests for the protection of your workers and customers. The PGM "Pest Control Trump" set of information cards is created to assist with pest-related issues in the UK. The Mouse 101 FACT FILE Coming alongside the Wasp and the Rat, another of the UK’s most common pests includes mice. Mice are a part of British wildlife and are active all year round. Field mice mainly live outdoors so are not normally a cause for concern. The house mouse on the other hand is a public health issue and can cause serious harm and damage. Mice are disease carriers and have been known to spread nasty diseases such as Listeria and Salmonella to humans through droppings, urine and bedding. They mark their territory with urine and build nests near to food sources putting humans at risk of food poisoning. Did you know this about Mice? Mice are sporadic feeders; on average they eat between 15-20 times a day despite their tiny size. Researchers have found that mice populations are increasing due to milder climates. The Mouse Strength Mice are small but their teeth are sharp. They are voracious gnawers and chew through wood, metal, pipes and cables to keep their teeth sharp. In fact, their gnawing through cables and pipework can cause electrical fires and flooding so the tiny mouse has super strength teeth. The Breeding of Mice Mice breed super quickly so they score highly in this category. On average, there are usually six pups in a litter, so 12 young in two months with the original breeding pair. Those first six young will take a while to become sexually mature, maybe six weeks. They could all then have a litter themselves, then the numbers really start adding up. One female can have five to ten litters per year. So, by the end of a year, it’s easy to end up with 2,000 mice, scurrying around transmitting dirt and bacteria over work surfaces. Mice, Nuisance Factor Due to the fact they can cause damage to property such as electrical fires and flooding along with their ability to spread disease and their rapid breeding cycle, the mouse is up there with wasps and rats for their nuisance factor. Mice Agility Mice are pretty agile, they can squeeze through a gap of only 5mm to gain entry – that’s roughly the size of the end of a pencil! That makes proofing extremely difficult. They are also great jumpers, climbers and swimmers. All round athletes! Their Environmental Impact Mice are an essential part of our ecosystem. Mice are a food source to large numbers of predators such as foxes, weasels, hawks, owls, shrews and more. Superpower: Nifty Ninjas These tiny mice can cause significant damage to property and to public health. Their ability to gain access through the smallest of gaps and their sharp teeth make them nifty ninjas! Overall Mouse Rating 4/10 Along with the rat, mice score highly most categories. However, similarly, we’ve given them an overall low rating due to their risk to public health and property. Mice are particularly problematic because of their ability to breed rapidly meaning you can have a large mice infestation in a relatively short period of time. To aid with pest-related issues in the UK, PGM & SON are creating a complete variety of "Pest Trump" documents that are available for the pest management industry and the general public to download for free . Please subscribe to our blog if you want to stay up to date with all of our current developments on the Pest Trump line. If you have a mouse or any pest problem, it’s usually best to call in the professionals. Find your local trusted BPCA pest controller here. For all your pest problems throughout Herefordshire and Worcestershire give PGM & Son Pest Control a call on 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 the right hand side of your screen, 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.

This week we’re giving a heads up on wasps as the wasp season looms. We want people to know that wasps aren’t all bad despite their reputation as a fierce pest! Wasps are early pollinators which means that they are good for the environment. Wasps are particularly beneficial in gardens, they feed their grubs on caterpillars and other insects and this reduces other pest populations. The wasp is therefore a predator which plays a vital ecological role controlling the numbers of pests such as greenfly. Our shout out in the month of May is to leave the wasps to continue to do their work where at all possible. If you can’t live with a wasp nest, it’s in an inconvenient location or is a public health issue (for example, because someone in your home suffers from allergic reactions) then call PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford for help. We can treat wasps’ nests for you. Queen wasps emerge from hibernation from March through to May normally so you may be seeing them in your garden at this time of year. Queen wasps get their sweet sugary liquids as nectar from flowers making them valuable pollinators. Lots of people mistakenly assume that they must have a nest when queens emerge in spring and sadly many of the queens are killed off. Two simple things you can do if you have queen wasps: Open windows and allow the queens to escape Seal up entry points into your property from the outside effectively “wasp proofing” your property Once the wasp season is well underway, wasps’ nests tend to increase in size, and this is when wasps may become an issue. Apart from being a nuisance they often present a serious risk to public health. However, there’s some simple things you can do though to prevent wasps invading your home or business, such as: Securing your home – keeping windows and doors shut or installing fly screens Keeping your bins away from the house or your business and making sure they are regularly emptied, cleaned and have tight fitting lids Check your property or business for wasps’ nests – if you arm yourself with the knowledge of where your problem is and how big a problem you have, you’ll find it easier to live with or to deal with. Checking for nests early can often stop a problem getting worse – once you think you have a wasp nest, call PGM & SON Hereford for advice or help. If you do have a wasps’ nest, it’s best not to treat it yourself. Treating wasps’ nests can be very dangerous as wasps can become extremely aggressive if threatened. Unlike bees, wasps don’t die after one sting and multiple stings from multiple wasps can be extremely painful and, in severe cases, fatal. To keep yourself and your family and customers from harm, always call in the professionals. We have access to a range of solutions not available to the general public. We also wear protective clothing to avoid being stung ourselves and we’re trained to deal with wasps’ nests. So let your wasps, especially the Queens, do their early pollination work and keep an eye out for nests in your home or business.If you do have a problem, give PGM & Son Hereford a call – we offer a fast, reliable, local wasp nest removal service across Herefordshire and Worcestershire .

Page Navigation Common Carpet-Damaging Pests in the UK Signs of a Carpet or Rug Infestation Cleaning & Maintenance for Prevention Non-Chemical Control (IPM Methods) When to Call a Professional Pest Controller Ongoing Monitoring & Long-Term Care Health, Legal & Insurance Considerations Preventing Spread Between Rooms Future Trends & Emerging Solutions Carpets and rugs bring warmth and style to a home, but they also attract unwanted attention from certain household pests. If you’ve noticed mysterious holes, fraying patches, or crawling larvae in your living spaces, you may be dealing with an infestation. This guide explains which pests eat carpets and rugs in Herefordshire and Worcestershire homes, how to spot the signs early, and what you can do to protect your investment. Carpet Beetle larvae beats the clothes moth as the main British textile pest. Common Carpet-Damaging Pests in the UK Several pests target natural fibres such as wool, silk, and cotton. The most frequent culprits are: Carpet Moths The webbing clothes moth ( Tineola bisselliella ) and case-bearing moth ( Tinea pellionella ) are notorious for eating natural fibres. Their larvae are the main problem. Carpet Beetles  Varied carpet beetle ( Anthrenus verbasci ) larvae feed on keratin and can hollow out fibres. Silverfish  Thrive in damp conditions and occasionally graze on starchy backings or blends. Rodents  Mice and rats may gnaw carpets and use fibres for nesting. Other Textile Pests  Weevils and even termites (rare in the UK) can damage imported rugs. Understanding Pest Biology & Life Cycle Most carpet pests cause damage during their larval stage . Eggs are laid in hidden or undisturbed places (beneath furniture, along skirting boards, inside folds of rugs). Egg stage : Laid directly onto fibres or dust. Larvae : The feeding stage that eats natural fibres. Pupa : Cocooned stage before adulthood. Adult : Often does not feed on fibres but reproduces. Across the UK, infestations peak in spring and summer , when warmth accelerates life cycles. Signs of a Carpet or Rug Infestation Look out for these early warning indicators: Patchy threadbare sections or irregular holes  in carpets. Larvae  (small, hairy or worm-like grubs) moving across the fibres. Cocoons or webbing  attached to the underside of rugs. Fine powdery frass  (droppings) or cast skins. Adult moths or beetles crawling near skirting boards. Dusty residues under rugs when lifted. Professional pest controllers may also use sticky monitoring traps  or UV torches to confirm the problem. Conditions That Attract Carpet Pests Certain environments are more prone to infestation: Natural fibres  such as wool and silk. Low traffic areas : spare bedrooms, under heavy furniture. Humidity & poor ventilation : especially in basements or older homes. Pet hair & food crumbs  trapped in fibres. Stored rugs  rolled up for long periods. Nearby animal nests  (birds, rodents) providing protein debris. Prevention Through Design & Materials One of the best defences is to choose carpets and rugs wisely: Synthetic or blended fibres  (nylon, polyester) resist pest damage. Insect-resistant finishes  are available on some modern carpets. Proper installation and sealing  prevents pests from hiding in edges. Allow airflow around rugs and avoid long-term storage in damp areas. Cleaning & Maintenance for Prevention A consistent cleaning routine discourages pests: Vacuum frequently , including edges, skirting boards, and under furniture. Steam clean  carpets annually to kill eggs and larvae. Shake or air rugs  outside in bright sunlight. Use specialist cleaning services  for delicate or antique rugs. Control pet hair  with grooming and frequent hoovering. Non-Chemical Control (IPM Methods) Many infestations can be managed with integrated pest management (IPM )  approaches: Heat treatments : steam or hot air can destroy eggs and larvae. Freezing : small rugs can be sealed in bags and frozen for several days. Physical removal : brushing or laundering. Desiccants : natural dusts like diatomaceous earth can dry out larvae. Pheromone traps : monitor moth populations. Chemical Control Options If the infestation is advanced, insecticides  may be necessary. Residual sprays or powders  can be applied to carpets, skirting, and underlay. Contact aerosols  kill visible adults but do not resolve larvae. Always choose UK-approved products  and follow safety guidelines. Ventilate rooms after treatment and restrict access for children and pets. Professional pest controllers can apply stronger insect growth regulators  or fumigation  if required. When to Call a Professional Pest Controller DIY methods can help in mild cases, but call in an expert if: Damage is widespread  or recurring. The carpet or rug is antique or high value . Infestation spreads to multiple rooms . You are a landlord or tenant  with repair responsibilities. A professional will conduct a full inspection , apply targeted treatments, and provide follow-up visits  if needed. Many firms also offer guarantees . Ongoing Monitoring & Long-Term Care To protect your carpets in the future: Inspect rugs every 3–6 months , especially before and after summer. Use monitoring traps  in vulnerable rooms. Maintain a seasonal cleaning checklist  (spring/autumn). Store rugs in sealed, pest-proof bags  if not in use. Health, Legal & Insurance Considerations Health risks : frass and hair fragments may trigger allergies or asthma. Legal duties : landlords must provide habitable accommodation, which may include treating infestations. Insurance : most home insurers exclude pest damage, making prevention critical. Environmental care : dispose of chemicals responsibly to avoid harm to wildlife. Preventing Spread Between Rooms Infestations can spread quickly: Check curtains, upholstery, and wardrobes  – pests move between fabrics. Avoid bringing in second-hand rugs or furniture  without inspection. If moving house, quarantine stored items before unpacking. Future Trends & Emerging Solutions Pest control is evolving: Smart traps  with sensors are becoming more affordable. Microencapsulated insecticides  offer longer-lasting results. Climate change  may extend the breeding season of moths and beetles in the UK. Resistance management  is key as pests adapt to chemicals. Carpet pests can cause significant damage, but with the right knowledge and quick action, infestations are manageable. Inspect carpets regularly. Keep them clean and well-ventilated. Act early if you see signs of larvae or damage. Call a professional if the problem persists. Protect your carpets today — prevention is always easier (and cheaper) than repair. If you’ve spotted the signs of a carpet beetle infestation, get in touch .   We provide professional carpet beetle treatments  across all areas of Herefordshire  and Worcestershire . Whether you're in a town, village, or rural location, our expert pest control team is ready to help protect your home or business from damaging infestations. Call us on 01981 540088  or our emergency call-out service 07964 370480. Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

The Varied Carpet Beetle Are your clothes being eaten? Got holes in your carpets? Seeing transparent skins and powdery dust like droppings on your carpets? You may be suffering from an infestation of Varied Carpet Beetle. The Varied Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci) is a common house and museum pest. The Varied Carpet Beetle is small in size (around 1.5 – 3.5m) with a round body which is white and golden yellow in colour with black, white and orange scales and black legs. The larvae are called “woolly bears” and this is due to their bodies being covered in hairs. It is the woolly bears which cause the damage to textiles as they are voracious feeders and they can cause significant damage to natural fibres in particular woollens. The Varied Carpet Beetle can also be found in stored food products and they are the only British species of the Anthrenus to do this. How to prevent the varied carpet beetle Prevention is advisable as once an infestation takes hold this can cause significant damage by the time it has been identified. Adopting good hygiene and cleaning is important as larvae can thrive out of sight and undisturbed. For example behind skirting boards, in the pile of woollen carpets (particularly close to skirting boards), in fibres and other organic dust between floor boards, and near spiders' webs, feeding on dead insects. Regular hoovering is advisable. They can also be destroyed by applications of proprietary insecticides orby freezing in bags in a deep freezer (at -18 °C) for 1-2 days. Because birds' nests in roofs can act as important sources of infestations, these are best removed and destroyed. Cavities attractive to nesting birds should be blocked, eg by wire wool. Woollens and other natural fibres should be cleaned and stored properly using securely fastened plastic or polythene bags. As an infestation of Varied Carpet Beetle can be very difficult to control , it is important to call in a professional pest controller who will have access to solutions not available to the general public. If you need help with varied carpet beetle call our friendly pest control team today. How to spot a Varied Carpet Beetle⬇ If you need to book a carpet beetle control treatment , give PGM & Son a call. We know how clear communication strengthens pest control efforts, so if you have pests, we have it covered! We are PGM & Son, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Pest Control Services, driving excellence in Pest Management. Our BPCA membership proves we’re committed to excellence in every part of our business. Get in touch today for help, support and guidance. Telephone 01981 540088 or Mobile 07964 370480 or email us contact@pgmpestcontrolc.co.uk with your questions. What our customers say Check out all our reviews

Have you noticed the evenings starting to draw in and the mornings feeling colder when you wake up? If you’ve got a house mouse this may well be because of the Summer end; mice are often found in properties as they look for warmth and shelter, nesting sites and food sources. Mice may look cute, but they can carry some very serious diseases which spread to humans such as Salmonella and Listeria which cause food poisoning. Mice can also cause significant damage to buildings as they are capable of gnawing through electric cables, woodwork, pipes and packaging. Mice have been known to cause electrical fires and flooding in properties so early intervention is critical. For those running a business, particularly a food business, mice can cause irreparable damage to reputation. Customers don’t like sharing their lunch with mice! Don’t panic if you’ve seen mice in your house or business, at PGM & Son Mice Control Hereford we can help eradicate your mouse problem. How do you know if you have a mouse problem? Droppings! Mice droppings are usually black, 3-6mm long and rod shaped. You may find these under kitchen units and in roof spaces. Mice can lay lots of droppings, around 80 per day, and when freshly laid they are soft and moist. Nests – in lofts or under floorboards. Nests are made of wool, cloth and paper. Gnaw marks on skirting boards, pipes, cables and furniture. Dark grey smear marks left by their oily fur. It’s important to mouse proof your home or business – however, this can prove particularly tricky in older properties. Mice can squeeze through holes the size of the end of a bic biro! Mice breed rapidly so once you’ve seen one mouse you can be sure you’ll have a large family of them very soon if you don’t deal with the problem. This is why DIY remedies aren’t usually effective – mice adapt quickly and they are very mobile so a trained pest professional will be able to deal with your mouse problem far quicker and more effectively. If you spot the signs of mice, give us a call as soon as possible. Don’t let mice run riot in your home, garden or business. Give us a call at PGM & Son Pest Control Herefordshire and Worcestershire for help with mice control services . Give us a call on 01981 540088 or for emergency 24-hour call out 07964 370480 Or, drop us an email at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

April has seen PGM & Son Pest Control out and about dealing with lots of ant problems. Climate change is a key factor in the rise in ants. And, with lots of rain recently and the hot sunny period already upon us and set to continue along with rain spells in between, we’re expecting the number of call-outs to continue to rise. And although they don’t carry transmittable diseases like other pests, they can still be a nuisance and they can, and do, bite. As with lots of other pests, prevention is often better than cure and simple steps like keeping food items in sealed containers, wiping down sides properly and not leaving pest food out can help enormously. If you do find you have a problem, it’s best to contact a pest controller as soon as possible because the problem can be treated much quicker and easier if you don’t waste time. So if you are having a problem with an ant infestation, if you need help to get rid of your ants then call PGM & Son Pest Control, Herefordshire and Worcestershire for help and advice. Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or call us on 01981 241334 / 07964 370480 or use our contact us page on the website for a free no-obligation quote.