There are two species of rat in Britain, Rattus Norvegicus which is commonly known as the Brown Rat or Common Rat. The Rattus Rattus, referred to as the Black Rat or Ship Rat is now rarely found in the UK. Why Control Rats? Rats carry many nasty diseases which they can spread to humans, normally through their urine, including; Leptospirosis or Weil's disease, Salmonella, Listeria, Toxoplasma gondii and Hantavirus. Rats can inflict an enormous amount of structural damage. They can cause severe fires by gnawing away the insulation around electrical cables, floods by puncturing pipes and even death by chewing through gas pipes. The insurance sector has estimated that rodent damage to wiring is responsible for 25% of all electrical fires in buildings. Rats can ruin an organisation's reputation. If clients and customers spot evidence of rodent infestation in the premises you manage, they are unlikely to want to do business with you. Property owners have a legal obligation under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 to keep premises rodent free, or, if rodents pose a threat to health or property, to report infestations to the local authority. Sign of Rats – Things to Watch Out For The presence of rats in or around your home can be determined by a number of signs: Rats live in close association with people. In urban or suburban areas they live in and around residences, in cellars, warehouses, stores and in sewers. On farms they may inhabit barns, granaries, livestock buildings, silos, and kennels. They may burrow to make nests under buildings and other structures, beneath concrete slabs, along stream banks, around ponds, in garbage dumps, and at other locations where suitable food, water, and shelter are present. Although they can climb, rats tend to inhabit the lower floors of buildings. How to Prevent Rats Invading Your Property Rats will eat nearly any type of food. When given a choice, they select a nutritionally balanced diet, choosing fresh, wholesome items over stale or contaminated foods. They prefer cereal grains, meats and fish, nuts, and some types of fruit. Food items in household garbage offer a fairly balanced diet and also satisfy their moisture needs. Eliminate any harbourage points such as sealing gaps around pipes and under sheds; rats only need a gap of 15mm to gain entry. Remove potential nesting sites by keeping yards and gardens clean and tidy, by cutting back overgrown areas and clearing any piles of wood/debris. Ensure that drain inspection covers are in a good state of repair. Cover any household waste where rats can get access to it, close dustbin lids and cover compost heaps. If you feed garden birds, do not do this to excess and use a bird table or feeder basket if possible. Does Your House Insurance Cover Rat Infestations or Rodent Damage? Let PGM & Son protect your Herefordshire home or business from Rodents If you think your home or business is being affected by a rat infestation, then we can help. The process typically consists of four stages: We inspect your facility and identify the rodent problem We diagnose the factors that are causing and contributing to the rodent problem We consult with you to determine the most effective approach to a rodent-free environment We treat the existing rodent problem and prevent future infestations using the right combination of rodent control methods for your business or home Our rat control services for residential and commercial rat control programs typically includes these key components: Sanitation – Eliminating potential rodent food and shelter sources to limit infestations Exclusion – Covering vents, securing gaps around loose pipes, treating wall voids, adding metal kick plates to doors Prevention or Elimination – Placing rodent devices, such as catch traps or bait stations Preventing rats from entering your premises is crucial for a healthy working and living environment. Because rats can be prolific disease carriers, control is essential to your Herefordshire business operations, as well as the health of your loved ones, customers and your employees.

Summer is definitely over and we’re well into Autumn. The 27th October looms - the clocks go back plunging the mornings and evenings into darkness again. The weather is already turning, with the winds whipping up and the rain settling in. We’ve even seen a few chilly mornings and that can only mean the start of the curtain drawing and turning up the heating. It also means it’s time for our rodent friends to start looking for warm sheltered places, so Herefordshire residents and business owners are advised to be vigilant in spotting the signs of rodents and to take proactive steps to reduce access to their properties to rodents. Did you know there are thought to be around 10 million rats in the UK? That’s why people often say you’re never far away from one! Signs You Have a Rat Problem Noises – listen out for scratching, scrabbling and crawling often in attics, lofts, behind kitchen appliances, laundries, kitchens and cellars Droppings – watch out for spindle shaped, blunt droppings around 1½-2cm long for the brown rat and pointed and around 1½ cm long for the black rat Greasy marks – you may see these on skirting boards and walls Urine - rat urine carries a very strong, distinctive smell Gnaw marks – you may also see chewed surfaces. Rats can chew through even strong materials Possible entry points - for example, gaps in brick work, pipes and cables which extend to outside your property Pieces of cardboard and soft materials - they may be using these to build nests Rat holes and burrows Nests Footprints / tracks Common places for rodents to nest are lofts and attics, kitchens, laundries, behind kitchen appliances particularly where pipes and cables extend outside the property. Rodent Health Risks Rodents can pose a serious health risk to humans. Business owners, particularly those operating in the food and hospitality sector are strongly advised to consider a regular pest management program to ensure that they mitigate the risk of rodents spreading infection to customers / the general public. Rats carry diseases such as Leptospirosis or Weil's disease, Salmonella, Listeria, Toxoplasma gondii and Hantavirus which can be passed onto humans. The HSS report around 40 cases of Weil’s disease every year. Two types of rat tapeworm spread to humans though eggs found in rat faeces. Don’t let a rodent problem get worse – rats breed rapidly, becoming sexually mature in around 3 months. Females may produce 3 to 12 litters of between 6 and 8 young in a year so what may start as a small problem can quickly escalate – call in the professionals today to sort out a rodent infestation. If you suspect you have a problem with rats , don’t panic. Contact PGM & Son Pest Control on 01981 540088 today for help, support and solutions. Use our live chat facility. Drop us an email to: contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

As the dark nights draw in and the temperature started to decline, we’re turning our attention to rodents. Yes, this week we’re looking at rats and mice. At this time of the year, we see a rapid increase in Rat and Mice call outs as Rodents like the warm just like us humans. Herefordshire residents should take the time now to pest proof their homes and businesses from Rats and Mice (and other pests for that matter) this Winter. Rats and Mice are adaptable, highly mobile and breed rapidly, this combination can make rodent control a difficult task for the untrained individual. For any Rodent infestation, we would always recommend contacting a professional pest control company. We are trained in Rodent control and will have access to a range of professional use rodenticides which are not available to the public. Why Pest Proofing is Essential Cost effective means of pest control Reduces the risk to non-target species & protects our wildlife Reduced impact on the Environment from use of chemicals keeping our planet clean Easier to identify and treat a pest problem before it becomes a significant infestation as pest infestations can quickly become established. RATS - What you should be looking out for NOISES – Scratching and crawling and gnawing MESS – Dropping which are spindle shaped and blunt around 1-2 cm long SMELLS - Rats have a strong, distinctive, musty and unpleasant urine odour EVIDENCE – Burrows, runways, scratch marks and nests are signs of rats as are rats themselves! MICE – What you should be looking out for NOISES – Scratching and gnawing MESS – Droppings which are thin and spindle shaped Around ½1-2 cm long EVIDENCE – Nests, gnaw marks, dark grey smears left by oily fur SIGHT - 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. If you’ve been hearing scratching or gnawing or other noises that go bump in the night in your kitchen, loft or attic, cellar or anywhere else don’t panic. Call in the professionals. At PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford we can identify your unwanted pests and offer solutions to your problem.

Are you worried about rats or mice? It is true that rodent numbers increase over the Winter as the cold weather sets in and rats and mice look for shelter, food, and water. Do not let a rodent problem add to your worries this winter. Take steps to rodent proof your property and keep the rats and mice at bay. Top 5 Tips to Rodent Proof Your Home Secure your property – fill in any holes and remove access points such as gaps around pipes Keep on top of essential maintenance jobs – clean out those gutters and drains, check your air bricks for damage. Don’t cover your airbricks (unless you use specially designed airbrick covers) as you will reduce your ventilation which is essential to reducing Covid particles Remove harbourage – clear any clutter and debris, cut back ivy and branches near to your property Remove accessible food sources – keep wildlife feeding to a minimum; make sure your bin lids are properly sealed Remove water sources – 70% of a rodent’s diet is water so check for dripping outside taps and hoses and make sure water butts are rodent proof Once you are on top of this STAY VIGILANT ! It is important to identify a rodent problem early on as rats and mice breed rapidly and can cause a significant infestation in a very short period of time. If you do find you have a rodent infestation give PGM & SON Rodent Control Hereford a call for advice and guidance. If you are having a problem with rats, if mice are causing you a concern, don’t delay call PGM & Son Pest Control today. 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. Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk Use the live chat facility on our website Message us via social media @pgmpestcontrol

Page Navigation The One Thing That Can Close Your Restaurant Overnight The Restaurants that Thrive are those that understand a Fundamental Truth The Legal Reality: You Have No Choice Don’t Let One Pest Infestation Undo Years of Hard Work How Pest Contracts Safeguard Your FSA Rating The One Thing That Can Close Your Restaurant Overnight Picture this : It’s a busy Friday evening in your Herefordshire restaurant. Tables are full, the kitchen is firing on all cylinders, and then it happens. A diner spots a mouse scurrying along the skirting board. Within minutes, the photo is on social media.  By morning, your five-star rating has plummeted, Environmental Health has been notified, and bookings are being cancelled. This nightmare scenario is entirely preventable , yet I still encounter restaurant owners who view pest control as an optional expense rather than essential business protection. As an award-winning pest control expert with the RSPH Level 3 qualification , I’ve worked with countless food establishments across Herefordshire.  The restaurants that thrive are those that understand a fundamental truth A comprehensive pest control contract isn’t just about catching rats or setting traps. It’s about legal compliance , reputation management, and ultimately, business survival in one of the UK’s most competitive industries. Herefordshire presents unique challenges for restaurant operators. Our beautiful county, with its agricultural heartland and thriving food scene, sits at a rural-urban interface that creates the perfect storm for pest activity. Understanding these challenges and implementing professional, proactive pest management isn’t optional anymore— it’s absolutely essential . The Legal Reality: You Have No Choice Let’s start with the uncomfortable truth that many restaurant owners prefer to ignore: pest control isn’t optional under UK law .  The Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food Hygiene Regulations 2013 place explicit legal duties on food business operators to ensure premises are kept clean and maintained in good repair to avoid pest contamination.  This isn’t guidance or best practice—it’s the law. When Environmental Health Officers conduct inspections, they’re looking for evidence of effective pest management systems . They want to see documented proof of regular inspections, monitoring records, and treatment logs. A pest control contract provides this crucial paper trail .  Without it, you’re not just risking your reputation; you’re exposing yourself to prosecution, unlimited fines, and potentially closure orders. The Food Standards Agency hygiene rating scheme has transformed how customers choose where to eat. That sticker in your window isn’t just decorative—it’s often the deciding factor for diners choosing between your establishment and your competitor’s. A zero or one-star rating due to pest activity can be catastrophic for business and closure imminent. I’ve witnessed restaurants lose 60-70% of their trade within weeks of receiving a poor rating linked to pest issues! The legal concept of “due diligence” is particularly important. If pest issues arise despite your best efforts, you can mount a due diligence defense—but only if you can demonstrate you took all reasonable precautions. A professional pest control contract , with regular inspections and comprehensive documentation, provides exactly this defense. Without it, you’re legally exposed, and ignorance is never accepted as an excuse . Don’t Let One Pest Infestation Undo Years of Hard Work A pest control contract is genuine business insurance, not an optional expense. It protects your legal position, safeguards your reputation, maintains your Food Standards Agency rating, prevents catastrophic financial losses, and demonstrates professional commitment to your customers and staff. In an industry where margins are tight and competition is fierce, these protections aren’t luxuries— they’re business survival necessities . How Pest Contracts Safeguard Your FSA Rating The question isn’t whether you can afford a pest control contract. The question is whether you can afford to operate without one.  Every day without professional pest management is a day of unnecessary risk, gambling your business, your reputation, and your livelihood on hope rather than professional expertise. Don’t wait for a problem to become a crisis. The best time to implement professional pest control was when you opened your doors. The second-best time is right now.   Pest issues always get worse, never better, without intervention . The restaurant owner who says “ we’ve never had a problem ” is usually the one who calls me in a panic when their luck runs out, facing closure orders and destroyed reputations. Your restaurant represents years of hard work, significant investment, and passionate commitment to hospitality. Protect it with the same professionalism you bring to your food, your service, and your customer experience. Because in the restaurant business, what customers don’t see matters just as much as what they do—and making sure they never see pests is worth every penny . As an RSPH Level 3 qualified pest control expert serving Herefordshire’s food industry, I’ve seen firsthand how professional pest management protects businesses and builds customer confidence. Don’t leave your restaurant’s future to chance—invest in professional protection today, contact us on (01981) 540088 or email contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

One of the largest pest control companies in the UK featured on this week’s episode of Rip Off Britain, hosted by Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Jennie Bond. It comes not long after the news that city traders were predicting growth in Rentokil after reports that the firm was reshaping to focus on the higher-margin pest control business at a much faster rate than anticipated. It certainly seems that Rentokil is making a killing from its customers if the BBC report is anything to go by. Members of the public alleged that Rentokil was charging astronomical rates to carry out pest control treatments with one viewer reporting that Rentokil charged him well over £500 for a 3 visit mouse control job. With local pest controllers around the country quoting a fraction of the price (up to £190 in different regions across the UK) for the same job it does seem a little over-priced! To watch Rip Off Britain: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b7rsc5 At PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford we have a fair and transparent charging policy. A three visit rodent control job is normally priced at around £150 (subject to site survey), meaning Herefordshire residents requiring pest control services pay a fraction of the cost the big guys in the industry charge. PGM & Son is able to offer Hereford residents low rates because we are a local, family run business with low over heads. We’ll always give you a price up front, telling you if that price may change (for example, because there are access issues in your property) and, if we can’t give you a price up front, we’ll explain why. Rip Off Britain also made the point that members of the public should check a pest controller’s qualifications, experience and insurance. We regularly give advice to Herefordshire residents on the importance of checking who their local trader is and that they’re qualified to do the job. Check out our past blogs on this subject. Our website www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk clearly explains what qualifications, experience, insurance and other certification we hold. However, if you’re not sure please ask us as we’ll be happy to provide copies and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

10 Reasons to Get Rid of your Rat Problem Now! Rats can be very destructive. Apart from the fact they can eat up to 15% of their body weight every day, they can cause harm to your property, pets and health. Top Ten Reasons to Get Rid of a Rat Problem without Delay Gnawing through electrical wires, causing a fire hazard. Gnawing through pipes, causing floods. Chewing through insulation, paper, books and other useful items with which to make their nests, causing expensive or irreversible damage. Infecting food supplies. Endangering your beloved pets: rats attack predators many times their size and your cat, when faced by a pack of rats, will almost certainly face death. They are also disease carriers and spread parasites to cats and dogs. Rats carry leptospirosis which can be fatal for humans. They can ruin your garden by eating seeds and bulbs. Norway rats can even damage the foundations of your property. Nesting in ducts (e.g. heating and cooling ducts) lowering the efficiency of your heating/cooling systems and exposing your family or business to harmful germs and bacteria. Many insurers won’t cover homeowners for damage caused by rodents. The photo below shows the damage that rats can, and will, do! Pest infestations can be a real nuisance and can cause serious health problems and property damage.  Whether you're dealing with a rat problem in your loft or a wasp nest in your garden, our award winning PGM and Son professional pest control technicians can identify and eliminate the source of the problem and provide you with long-term solutions to prevent future infestations.

Are you and your customers properly protected from pests? Pests can spread disease, damage products, foodstuffs and property. They can ruin your reputation, leading to potential loss of business or even prosecution. Failure to comply with legal requirements to provide a safe working environment can be costly. Food operators can face closure, fines and even prison for failing to put adequate pest prevention procedures in place. At PGM and Son we will help meet your ‘due diligence’ requirement. As fully insured members of BPCA (British Pest Control Association) we operate a safe system of work using Risk and COSHH assessments. Managing pest control is part of good business practice Is your business fully protected from the threats posed by public health pests? Pest control management involves identifying and dealing with potential risks from food pests before they turn into a major problem and contaminate food stuff. Good pest control should concentrate on preventing the pests gaining access to food stocks and food rooms in the first place. Even if you discover a pest problem before a customer's health is put at risk, having to throw stock away because of damage caused by pests can prove to be very expensive to any business. Our membership of BPCA is an assurance that we can keep it safe! Could your business have a pest problem? PGM & SON are professionals and trusted by BPCA to identify pests, provide treatment advice and eradicate issues in a safe and effective way. You may need to contract an outside company to help you deal with pests. Using a professional pest control company to help keep your premises pest-free or to get rid of a pest problem does not mean that you can pass all responsibility on to them. However, a contract with an outside company can be a vital part of your pest-control management system. This will not only help to keep your workplace healthy and prevent food from becoming contaminated, but it will also help prove a 'due diligence' (legal defence) if your business needs to show the authorities that you did all you could to prevent an infestation. A good pest controller is not just someone who turns up to put traps and poison down. They should inspect and monitor conditions, highlight problems advise you on how to prevent pests and suggest improvements where necessary. You should consider your pest control contractor to be part of the team whose role it is to keep food pests away from your premises. We believe in putting customers first Our membership of BPCA shows our commitment to delivering the highest standards of service. As members of BPCA, we follow industry Codes of Practice and are regularly audited against BS EN 16636 – the benchmark of quality for pest management operators across Europe. Inadequate pest control can have catastrophic effects on public health. As fully-qualified experts, we’ll do the job properly – and our membership of BPCA proves we’re up to the task! We're always on the 'phone for advice, so don't worry about your pest problems, give us a call now on 01981 540088 . If you run a business in Herefordshire or Worcestershire you can count on us for proactive commercial pest control services .

After another miserable week of heavy rainfall, Herefordshire residents are continuing the clean-up task. As the flood waters flush out significant numbers of rats, Herefordshire home and business owners are advised to take steps to stop rats from entering their properties. As their burrows are destroyed, and water levels have risen, rats will be seeking new places to set up home. The rising water levels mean that rats are flushed out to higher ground and, being strong swimmers, they can travel great distances to find new locations for homes. Herefordshire residents and business owners are advised to take steps to: Block up / seal holes Carry out any repairs to property Clear up waste foods Ensure drains are clear from fallen leaves and debris and in good working order Remove all debris and other harbourage from your premises Rodent Health Risks Rodents can pose a serious health risk to humans. Business owners , particularly those operating in the food and hospitality sector are strongly advised to consider a regular pest management program to ensure that they mitigate the risk of rodents spreading infection to customers / the general public. Rats carry diseases such as Leptospirosis or Weil's disease, Salmonella, Listeria, Toxoplasma gondii and Hantavirus which can be passed onto humans. The HSS report around 40 cases of Weil’s disease every year. Two types of rat tapeworm spread to humans though eggs found in rat faeces. If you suspect you have a problem with rats, don’t panic. Call PGM & Son Pest Control Herefordshire on 01981 540088 or out of office hours call our emergency call-out number 07964 370480. For advice and solutions or drop us an email to: contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk Don’t let a rodent problem get worse – rats breed rapidly, becoming sexually mature in around 3 months. Females may produce 3 to 12 litters of between 6 and 8 young in a year so what may start as a small problem can quickly escalate – call in the professionals today to sort out a rodent infestation.

Today’s Pest Quiz Question: Which Pest is NOT Considered a Public Health Risk? Rat Mouse Clothes Moth Cockroach Flea Answer: The Clothes Moth Moths do not spread disease or bite humans but they are still considered a pest as they can cause significant damage to property including clothes, carpets, curtains and other textiles. Find out more about Eco-Friendly Ways to Tackle Clothes Moths ↗ Rats and mice carry some nasty diseases and urinate wherever they go which presents a significant risk to public health. Find out more about Rat and Rodent Removal ↗ Cockroaches are vectors of some serious diseases and contaminate everything they come into contact with. Find out more about Cockroach Control ↗ Fleas don’t commonly spread disease they bite, and flea bites can cause irritation and infection. Recent studies suggest that the Black Death was caused not by rats but fleas. Find out more about Flea Control ↗ PGM & SON Pest Prevention Tips Inspect the home for entry points Pests can enter a home through the smallest of cracks and crevices, so it is important to inspect your home carefully for any potential entry points. Check around windows and doors, as well as in any areas where plumbing or wiring enters the home. Seal cracks and crevices Once you have identified any potential entry points, take steps to seal them up with caulk or other appropriate materials. This will help prevent pests from entering your home. Store food properly To discourage pests from entering your home, make sure all food is stored properly. This means keeping all food items in tightly sealed containers, and making sure all surfaces are wiped down after cooking or eating.