To protect your office from pests, you must focus on exclusion (sealing them out), sanitation (denying food and water), and proactive monitoring. Neglecting pest control can lead to property damage, health violations, or even forced closure by local authorities. 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 Infestation 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 a pest problem, it’s usually best to call in the professionals. For all your office pest problems in Herefordshire or Worcestershire give PGM & Son Pest Control Services a call on our local number 01981 540088 for a free no-obligation chat. If you prefer, you can email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

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 pest control services contact PGM & Son Herefordshire and Worcestershire on 01981 540088 or drop us an email at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk About PGM Pest Control PGM & Son is an Award-Winning service that provide pest control solutions to individuals and businesses across all locations in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. We 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 , cluster flies , fleas , squirrels , moles , cockroaches , insect control , carpet beetles , bed bugs , wasps , bees , hornets , and bird proofing works .

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 a call on 01981 540088 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.

It’s Cluster Fly season. With Autumn almost upon us, the cluster flies are gathering and we’re already seeing an increase in call outs across Herefordshire and Worcestershire for Cluster Fly problems . What Do Cluster Flies Look Like? Cluster flies are dark greyish flies about 8mm long with yellowish hairs on the back and with overlapping wings. In Autumn they congregate in large numbers in upper rooms or roof spaces of houses to hibernate. They will then re-emerge in Spring to seek out egg laying sites outside. A mass of cluster flies has a characteristic smell. They are sluggish in flight and are a nuisance in the house. The larvae of one species are parasitic upon certain earthworms, so this species is more common in rural areas. Had a Problem With Cluster Flies Previously? Unfortunately, it is a fact that cluster flies tend to return to the same locations each year so if you have experienced a cluster fly issue previously you will likely suffer the same fate in the future. Cluster fly prevention is unrealistic, but please don’t worry, there are steps you can take to sort out your cluster fly problems! Are Cluster Flies a Public Health Issue? Cluster flies can be a nuisance, particularly when they congregate in significant numbers. However, you should be reassured that cluster flies are not considered “filth” flies. That said, cluster flies in significant numbers not only cause a nuisance but they can create a mess and the smell cluster flies emit in numbers is very strong and off putting. How to Reduce Risk of Suffering from Cluster Flies Carry out essential maintenance to proof your home, caravan or holiday home to reduce the numbers of cluster flies entering your property Vacuum up your cluster flies Getting Rid of Cluster Flies If you have a heavy cluster fly infestation, it’s best to call on a qualified pest controller who can use solutions not available to the general public. Professional pest controllers are trained to handle cluster fly problems and may decide to use insecticides or smoke generators to resolve your cluster fly problems. Read more FAQ's about cluster flies . Always ensure that your pest technician is a member of the BPCA, British Pest Control Association, who will be professionally trained and who can control pests safely, legally and effectively, find your local BPCA pest control controller here . If you’ve need to get rid of Cluster Flies, 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 pest assist facility on the right side of your screen.

One of the most popular creatures associated with Halloween is the Spider! A lot of people fear spiders but why? In the UK spiders are not normally dangerous so why are so many people scared of the tiny spider? To some it seems like an irrational fear after all a spider is a fraction of the size of a human. But spiders aren’t exactly lookers, and these creepy eight-legged insects are known for lurking in the dark, in corners or attics and cellars. They spin their webs in dark and abandoned places which relate to ghosts and ghouls. Spiders are also usually black or grey and these colours are associated with darkness and death. Spiders were historically believed to be a witches’ companion resulting in superstition about them. One superstition said that if a black spider found its way into your home, you were bound to have bad luck. Spiders have also long been associated with the supernatural due to their web-spinning abilities. In folklore, arachnids are described as using designs in their webs to tell stories or predict a person’s fate, future wealth and sometimes death. Why don’t Pest Controllers Eradicate Spiders? Most pest controllers won’t deal with a call out for spiders and for good reason; most spiders in the UK are not a public health issue and spiders are great for the environment. Spiders keep fly populations down for a start, so they are natural pest controllers! And spiders can mostly be dealt with by a home owner by moving them outside or hoovering them up and emptying the bag outside! Saving you cost and the need to unnecessarily eradicate the spider. Sometimes spiders can cause issues such as an infestation of false widow spiders. If you are experiencing a spider infestation and want some advice, get in contact with your local pest controller. PGM & Son Pest Control Herefordshire & Worcestershire call us on 01981 540088 or email contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk OUR FAMILY AND PET FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGIES HAVE MADE PGM & SON A LEADER IN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PEST CONTROL. 'WE ARE REDEFINING THE INDUSTRY'

Why are some animals associated with Halloween and pest control? Bats are a popular one associated with Halloween; bats are mostly nocturnal and hunt for prey at night. Apparently, they developed a spooky reputation after bats were first seen drinking the blood of cattle in Central and South America. Combined with their clawed wings that cover their bodies like a cape when they hang upside down, bats are often connected to vampires. Bats are also historically associated with witches and some people believed that witches used bat blood in their potions and spells. They also resemble rats which many people dislike. However, unlike rats, bats are a protected species and pest controllers won’t touch them for this reason. They are also an important part of the ecosystem as they keep bug populations under control. If you want more information about living in harmony with your bats get in touch with the Bat Conservation Trust which has lots of useful information and advice to set your mind at rest if you find you are sharing your home with bats this Halloween. Also check out these fun facts about bats! Close up of a young bat Experiencing a Rat problem in Hereford? Need Rat control in Worcester? Get in touch with PGM & Son Rodent Control Herefordshire and Worcestershire on 01981 540088 or drop us an email at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk for all your rat control problems.

This week we’re looking at squirrels. Here’s our pointers for checking whether you have a squirrel problem: Noise – scratching, rustling in attic and wall cavities Urine – a smelly loft could indicate a squirrel infestation has set in Doppings – pest controllers can tell the difference between rat, mice and squirrel droppings for you Damage to your property – holes in vents; torn insulation; problems with electrical wires Other squirrels in the vicinity – near roofs or high fences Evidence in the garden – bird feeders knocked over, damaged or disturbed or trees stripped of bark Gnaw marks on ceilings or woodwork. Contaminated cold water tanks and loft spaces. Stripped insulation on electrical wiring. What can you do to avoid a squirrel problem in your home or business? Block gaps and entrance holes Trim trees back especially over hanging branches Seal entry points Remove items stacked against the side of the property Trim dense ivy Squirrels are fairly strong for their size and also persistent. If the proofing is not secure, then the squirrels may be able to pull it out! For tree protection, close fitting metal sleeves can protect them from the strong rodent incisors. A bit about squirrels: Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are invasive pests, not native to the UK. Because grey squirrels are an invasive pest species, it is against the law to re-release a grey squirrel if it’s been caught alive. This means that any person who catches a grey squirrel alive is legally obliged to humanely dispatch it. As their numbers have increased in the UK, so has the damage they cause. This is where professional pest control comes in. The grey squirrel is recognised as being in the top worst 100 invasive pest species in the world by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Here in Britain and Europe, is classed as an Invasive Alien Species (IAS) which is any animal that is not native to the UK. 3 Reasons to Control Grey Squirrels Potential to damage to your home, business and health The destruction of UK forests The impact on our native wildlife, in particular the red squirrel Did You Know? Squirrels are rodents, which means they need to gnaw to wear down their continuously growing incisors. They can, and do, cause significant damage to property including pipes, insulation and electrical cables. Do Squirrels Damage The Environment? Squirrels strip bark at the base of trees which causes them to weaken and eventually to die. They also damage orchards and gardens, destroying bulbs and other plant life. They wreak havoc on historic and ancient woodlands. The European Squirrel Initiative (ESI) point out that around 12% of England is covered by trees and this is set to rise. ESI are concerned, unless something is done, there will be no oak, beech, or sweet chestnut mature trees left in the years to come. Are Squirrels a Threat to Native Wildlife? Grey squirrels also raid birds’ nests to prey on eggs and fledglings (figures from the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust suggest fledgling rates reduced by 15% due to predation by grey squirrels). They eat tree nuts and recently sown seeds depriving native wildlife of food sources. The grey squirrel was deliberately introduced to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from North America in the Victorian era. Since then, it’s colonised 90% of England and Wales and is becoming a problem in Scotland. Grey squirrels are responsible for the decline in native red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) numbers. The Wildlife Trusts estimates there are only around 140,000 native red squirrels left in the UK, compared to 2.5 million grey squirrels. Grey squirrels can transmit the squirrelpox virus to red squirrels, to which they themselves are immune but red squirrels are not. Once a red squirrel has squirrelpox, it’ll usually die of dehydration within 2 weeks. Our Squirrel Control and Proofing Service provides effective solutions for dealing with nuisance squirrels in lofts, roof spaces, and other areas of your property. We begin by inspecting your home to identify signs of squirrel activity, entry points, and potential risks. Using humane and professional control methods, we safely remove squirrels and minimise further disruption. To ensure long-term protection, we carry out proofing works such as sealing access points and reinforcing vulnerable areas. Our approach not only resolves current infestations but also prevents future squirrel problems, protecting your property from damage and disturbance. If you're worried about squirrels entering your property then call us on 01981 540088 for help, support and guidance. We cover all local areas across the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

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 on 01981 540088 or drop us an email at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk for all your Rat Control needs.

We’re proud to be known as an award-winning pest control company  serving Herefordshire and Worcestershire . For years, we’ve been trusted by homeowners, landlords, farms, restaurants, schools, and businesses across the two counties to deliver fast, affordable, effective, and discreet pest control solutions. Now, we’re taking another step toward being even closer to our local community: 👉 We’re Officially on Nextdoor! Recommend us on NextDoor! What Is Nextdoor and Why We’ve Joined Nextdoor  is the free neighbourhood app that connects local people and businesses. It’s where residents share recommendations , ask for advice , and discover trusted local services — from plumbers and gardeners to pest control experts! By joining Nextdoor, we’re making it easier for our customers in Hereford , Ledbury , Ross-on-Wye , Bromyard , Leominster , Worcester , Malvern , Pershore , Evesham , and Droitwich Spa  to: Find fast, reliable local pest control services Ask questions and get expert pest advice Leave recommendations to help their neighbours Stay updated with local pest alerts and prevention tips We’re proud to be part of the same communities we serve — and Nextdoor is the perfect place to stay connected with our neighbours. How to Find Us on Nextdoor It’s easy to connect, follow and recommend us: Open the Nextdoor app  or visit nextdoor.co.uk Search for PGM & Son Pest Control Services  under “Businesses” Click Follow  to stay updated with our local posts and advice Message us directly for pest control help or 24-hour call-outs 👉 Visit our Nextdoor pest control page for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Whether you’ve spotted rats in your garden, a wasp nest in the loft, or signs of mice in your garage, our friendly team is just a message away . Our Commitment to Local Customers We’re proud to be an award-winning pest control company , trusted throughout Herefordshire and Worcestershire  for our reliability, professionalism, and honest service. Our Experienced RSPH Level 2 Pest Technicians are: Fully qualified and insured Local to the area , with expert knowledge of rural and urban pest issues Available 24 hours a day  for emergencies Committed to safety, discretion, and customer satisfaction Because we live and work locally, we understand the pest challenges unique to this region — from rural rodent activity to wasp infestations in older properties. We treat every customer’s property as if it were our own. Our Most Popular Pest Control Services We provide a full range of pest control solutions across Herefordshire and Worcestershire , including: Rodent Control (Rats & Mice)  – Fast, humane removal and prevention for homes, farms, and commercial sites. Wasp Nest Removal  – Using advanced technology to remove wasp nests, particularly in hard-to-reach locations. Loft Clearance & Removal of Contaminated Material  – Safe removal of pest contamination and waste, restoring your loft to a clean, usable space. Mole Control  – Discreet and effective trapping for gardens, fields, and paddocks. Bed Bug & Flea Treatments  – Thorough treatments for homes, hotels, and rental properties. Bird Proofing & Guano Cleaning  – Protecting buildings from pigeon damage and nesting. Each treatment is carefully planned to suit your property, using safe and environmentally responsible methods. 💬 Join the Conversation on Nextdoor We’d love you to follow our business page on Nextdoor! It’s a great way to: Stay up to date with local pest alerts  across Herefordshire and Worcestershire Get free pest prevention tips  from our team Ask for advice before small pest problems become big ones Recommend us to your friends, neighbours, or local groups We’ll also be sharing community updates , success stories , and exclusive Nextdoor offers  — so it’s well worth following if you’re in our area. 📞 Stay Pest-Free and Connected We’re proud to serve our local community every day — and being on Nextdoor  helps us do that even better. If you’re dealing with a pest issue or just want some friendly local advice, we’re always here to help! Call us on (01981) 540088  for 24-hour pest control, or Message us directly on Nextdoor   to connect with our friendly team. Together, we’ll keep Herefordshire and Worcestershire homes and businesses pest-free — one neighbourhood at a time. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions Why have you joined Nextdoor? We’ve joined Nextdoor to make it easier for local homeowners and businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire to find us, message us, and read reviews from real neighbours . It’s a trusted local platform where people recommend reliable services — and we’re proud to be part of that community . Can I message you directly on Nextdoor for pest control help? Yes! You can send us a direct message on Nextdoor for quick advice, to book an inspection, or to request an emergency call-out. We respond promptly and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please Note : If your enquiry is urgent we recommend phoning 01981 540088 or text message / WhatsApp 07964 370480 for real-time pest queries. Do you only cover Herefordshire and Worcestershire? These are our main service areas. If you’re unsure whether we cover your location, just send us a quick message on Nextdoor or call 01981 540088. What pests do you deal with? We handle all common UK pests including cockroaches , rats , mice , wasps , cluster flies , bed bugs , fleas , moles , squirrels , woodworm , and pigeons . We also offer loft clearance and disinfection after pest activity , and drone surveys for aerial pest inspections , helping to restore your property safely. Are your treatments safe for pets and children? Yes! Absolutely . All our pest control methods are safe, targeted, and professionally applied. We always prioritise safety and will explain any necessary precautions before starting treatment. How do I recommend you to my neighbours on Nextdoor? Once you’re on our Nextdoor business page, click the “Recommend” button — your feedback helps others in your area find a reliable, local pest control company they can trust.

If you’re having an issue with cluster flies in Herefordshire or Worcestershire this year, you can try to reduce their numbers by carrying out some basic property maintenance. How to Reduce the Numbers of Cluster Flies Seal gaps around your windows Re-point your brickwork, especially around windows Make use of fly papers Vaccum them up! Unfortunately, though there is little you can do to stop flies getting in and if one fly can get in then so can many others. Why Am I Seeing Cluster Flies? Cluster flies start to enter buildings during the autumn to escape the colder weather and to survive winter As the weather starts to warm up in spring, they become active again and so more noticeable Cluster flies are usually found in rural or semi-rural areas and can be found in loft spaces or sometimes in unused rooms, or around sash windows Cluster flies are usually seen in large groups and will often be noticed around sunny windows Should I be Worried about Cluster Flies? The answer is that cluster flies aren’t a public health issue as they aren’t “filth” flies but they can still be a public nuisance. Cluster flies usually congregate in significant numbers and so create a mess and they can be very smelly. YUK! Commonly, when opening a window or a loft hatch, people report experiencing a shower of cluster flies which is not pleasant. Why do I Have Cluster Fly Problems Every Year? Cluster flies tend to return to the same locations each year so unfortunately, if you have experienced a cluster fly issue previously you may well have the same problem again in future. The good news is that cluster fly treatment is simple and effective. You need to be realistic and appreciate that long term cluster fly prevention is difficult to achieve. It is possible to install electric fly killer machines but, again, you need to be realistic about what can be achieved where cluster fly numbers are significant. What Does a Cluster Fly Look Like? They are dark greyish in colour and 8mm long with yellowish hairs on the back and overlapping wings. Image: Wikipedia Often you will find them congregating in large numbers in upper rooms or roof spaces of houses where they hibernate. Cluster flies can seem sluggish and in number, they can cause a very unpleasant smell. PONGEY! If you have a cluster fly problem, don’t worry, get in touch with your local pest control professional for help, support and guidance. As a professional, qualified pest control company we have access to solutions not available to the public and can treat your cluster fly problem for you. Learn more about our cluster fly control services . 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 a call on 01981 540088 or 07964 370480 for a free no-obligation chat or email contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk