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Looking for a fun, educational way to spark your child’s curiosity about the natural world? We’re excited to offer our  Free Bug and Insect Activity Book for Kids — Created by Award-Winning UK Pest Control Experts!   This engaging activity book is designed to entertain and educate children about the fascinating world of bugs and insects, all while drawing on the expertise of our award-winning pest control team. Why Educating Kids on Bugs and Insects Matter Bugs and insects play a crucial role in our ecosystem. From pollinating plants to breaking down organic matter, these tiny creatures keep nature in balance. Teaching kids about insects helps foster respect for the environment and encourages outdoor exploration and scientific thinking. What’s Inside our Free Educational Activity Book? Our free activity book is packed with fun, hands-on activities that make learning about bugs exciting and accessible for children. Here’s what your child can enjoy: Insect quizzes and puzzles  to test their knowledge and build vocabulary. Drawing and writing activities  to inspire creativity and observation skills. Scavenger hunts and nature exploration tips  to get kids outside discovering real insects in their backyard. These activities are designed to be both educational and entertaining, perfect for home learning or classroom use. Here's a sneaky peak of what's inside. Created by Pest Pro Experts You Can Trust As award-winning pest control experts in the UK, our team at PGM and Son Pest Control bring a unique perspective to this activity book. Our deep knowledge of insect biology and behaviour ensures that the information is accurate, up-to-date, and presented in a child-friendly way. We want to share our passion for entomology and pest management with the next generation, helping children understand the importance of bugs in our world. How to Get Your Free Copy Getting your free download is easy! Simply click on the link below. It’s a perfect resource for parents, teachers, and caregivers looking to combine fun and learning. Download our kids' activity book for free, then print it out at home or take the downloaded file to a local library for printing. Simply click to download the printable PDF, and either print directly from home or use your local library's printing services to get a physical copy. ENJOY! Join the PGM Community We love seeing how kids engage with our activity book! Share photos of your child’s completed activities on social media @pgmpestcontrol and tag us to be featured. It’s a great way to connect with other families who share a love of nature and learning. Encourage your child’s curiosity and help them discover the amazing world of bugs with our  Free Bug and Insect Activity Book for Kids — Created by Award-Winning UK Pest Control Experts!  Download your copy today and start the adventure!

The PGM & SON green pest control approach has its roots in prevention and monitoring with a minimum reliance on chemical treatments. We actively promote our environmentally friendly approach , regularly blog about sustainable pest control measures and always put education above eradication. And, we're keen to educate our customers and assist with proofing and preventative works to minimise the effect on the environment, your home, wildlife and other non target species. That's got to be a good thing!! What does Integrated Pest Management mean? Integrated pest management involves the use of proactive measures to minimise, and even remove, the risk of pest infestations. By adopting a proactive integrated pest management approach, it’s possible to work towards a pesticide-free pest control meaning that many pest problems can be reduced or even completely eliminated. The BPCA defines Integrated Pest Management as a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimise economic, health and environmental risks. What is the benefit of Integrated Pest Management? Pest prevention is better than cure. It adopts approaches with minimum use of chemicals resulting in less risk to non-target species and low environmental impact. What is Green Pest Control all about? We define green pest control as the use of chemical as a last resort approach. Unfortunately, all too often, we find a pest problem has got completely out of hand either because clients have tried DIY methods without success, or because they haven’t faced the problem early enough. This can be for several reasons, such as: Shame – it is common for people to feel embarrassed about a pest problem and this is quite a normal reaction. However, in many cases, pest infestations can be caused by external factors. Pest controllers are used to hearing reports of pests so no-one should feel embarrassed or ashamed to own up to a pest problem. Once a pest problem has been reported, your pest controller can work with you to eradicate the problem and ensure it won’t happen again. Cost – often people think a pest problem will be costly to resolve and this can be true if left untreated. An untreated pest problem may create significant additional costs where a pest infestation has increased significantly, or the pest has caused other damage to property. For example, mice can cause electrical damage by gnawing on wires and wood boring insects can cause structural damage by boring through joists. Reluctance – some businesses in particular may be reluctant to report a pest problem because of perceived damage to business interests such as having to close their business for a period to treat the problem or inviting attention from Environmental Health. However, leaving a pest problem untreated can cause significant additional damage to a business including loss of revenue, reputational damage and, at the worst-case scenario, closure and fines for breaches of public health laws. But How Can Pests Be Controlled in a Safe Way There are several green control methods that can be used, some examples include: Physical Control - The most efficient and green control method is to keep the pests out in the first place. Use of methods such as fitting fly screens to reduce flying insect ingress is an example of a physical control measure. External proofing - Preservation of the exterior of a site is essential to green pest control. For example, installing discreet netting to prevent bird guano from building up in gutters and downpipes. Non-toxic treatments - Rodents can be controlled by use of non-toxic methods such as monitoring bait for early identification of a problem or by use of trapping to avoid the harmful effects of toxic bait to the environment or non-target species. Heat and cold - Heat and cold controls can be used effectively for insect infestations, for example, bedbugs. Integrated Pest Management will not work unless there is active buy in from both the pest controller and the client. Pest control must be given a high level of importance. It should be seen as a protection to a business and not a lower priority. “In my experience, the main reason for failure in controlling an infestation is lack of client awareness of their responsibilities. Many building owners assume they simply hire a contractor to deal with the problem, but change must come from within as well.” Dee Ward Thompson, BPCA Technical Manager The key message is: Control Not Eradicate About PGM Pest Control PGM Pest Control  is an award-winning pest control company based in the UK, offering trusted, effective, and environmentally responsible services for homes and businesses. Known for our expert knowledge, educational resources, and excellent customer service, we go beyond treatments — we help our clients understand pests and prevent future problems. 👉 Visit us at   www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk  for professional pest control, insect identification, and free downloads. #MakePestControlGreenAgain

PGM and Son Pest Cotnrol Services scoops 'Sole Trader of the Year' award at the British Pest Management Awards 2019. We’re delighted to announce that PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford won the category of sole trader of the year 2019 at this years British Pest Management Awards . This prestigious awards ceremony, held at PestEx in London’s Excel , is the culmination of a successful first year’s trading for PGM & SON. Phil Martin, owner of PGM Pest Control said:- “I’m absolutely thrilled to have won sole trader of the year category – although we know we do a great job at PGM Pest Control, it’s really humbling to be recognised by your peers in this way. I want to thank the BPMA for presenting me with this award, James Ostler of Positive Environmental Hereford who gave me a chance, believed in me and was a fantastic mentor and last, but not least, my family without whom this would not be possible”. Want to know more about PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford? PGM & SON Pest Control was started by Phil Martin in 2017. Phil saw a gap in the market for a personable, reliable, local pest control company. In these times where the world wide web and social media seem to take over our lives and people all too often have no idea who they’re dealing with over the internet, he recognised that people prefer local. PGM & SON Pest control is a family run business based in rural Herefordshire. Every member of the family contributes in some way to the success of PGM & SON – from Phil’s wife who picks up the paperwork and books; his sister-in-law who runs the website and manages our social media, his daughter, who’s chief filing clerk, and the “& Son” who’s learning the ropes – starting at the bottom, cleaning traps of course! Because we’re a local, family run business we genuinely care about our community and the county. Residents of Herefordshire and Worcestershir e who deal with PGM & Son recognise this in their support of our business by coming back to us in future and referring us to others. We don’t just offer pest control treatments, we offer preventative advice and solutions and, importantly, we give customers our time – a rare commodity in this day and age! The PGM & SON green pest control approach has its roots in prevention and monitoring with a minimum reliance on chemical treatments. We actively promote our environmentally friendly approach, regularly blog about sustainable pest control measures and always put education above eradication. PGM & SON supports local businesses and charities. Last year, younger members of our team raised money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity , in recognition of the important work they do – a charity close to the hearts of Herefordians given the county’s close links to the military. And we supported other local community organisations too. When people contact PGM & SON for pest advice or help, they can be assured they will receive reliable, friendly, professional, effective, value for money pest control services which put customers first and make animal welfare a priority. If you have a pest control problem and want a local, reliable, value for money service, call PGM & SON Pest Control today for advice and solutions.

Due to the recent humid conditions, pest controllers are experiencing high volumes of call outs for flea problems. Fleas thrive in humid conditions , which are the perfect environment for the common flea. Dogs tend to be the main source of fleas and that’s unsurprising given that we British love our dogs. Around a quarter of all British householders own a dog and that number has been rising during the pandemic with Brits taking in or purchasing more puppies and dogs. Top 3 Reasons Why we Control Fleas Bites – fleas bite which can cause irritation and itching. Allergies – a significant proportion of the public have allergies and flea bites can cause reactive rashes. Nuisance – no-one likes having fleas, in fact, it makes most people feel a bit squeamish. But if you are a business, fleas can cause major disruption and reputational damage to your business. The DIY Flea Treament We find a lot of people try to tackle a flea problem themselves and can’t understand why they haven’t managed to solve the problem. Eradicating fleas can be a very difficult task and professional, qualified pest controllers often have a much higher chance of success for the following top 3 reasons. Top 3 Reasons Why Pest Controllers have Better Outcomes than DIY Flea Treatments Qualified pest controllers have access to treatments not readily available to the public. Professional pest controllers have been trained to treat flea problems with the maximum chance of success. Experienced pest controllers will understand what actions need to take place, in conjunction with chemical treatments, to resolve the problem and mitigate the risks of having a flea infestation in future. If your DIY treatment hasn’t worked maybe it’s time to call in the professionals Top 3 Signs of a Flea Infestation Bites – if you or your family members are suffering from bites around the ankles and lower legs then you may have a flea problem. Look out for small red spots around 5mm in diameter. Pets scratching – if your pets are scratching more than usual they may have company from fleas. Look for red / brown fleas about 2mm long. Common places to spot fleas are necks of cats and hind quarters of dogs. Jumping – you have an active infestation if you can see fleas jumping around in your carpets or on your furniture. Top Flea Tip: Check your pets for signs of fleas. Look for fleas or flea droppings in the coat of your cat or dog (black faeces which look a little like ground black pepper). Another tip is to back brush your pets or brush them over a piece of white paper to more easily spot the signs of flea droppings. Fleas are a nuisance but it’s quite common to suffer from a flea problem so don’t feel embarrassed about reporting it to your local pest controller. We’ve seen, and heard, it all so what might feel embarrassing to you is something we see quite commonly. Did you know this about fleas? You can easily inherit a flea problem from someone else or from conditions outside of your house. Consider the situation when you move into a rental property and the previous tenant had a flea problem. Or, your dog attracts fleas when out on a walk. It’s nothing to be worried or embarrassed about. Top 3 Tips for Preventing a Flea Infestation Hoover regularly. Pay attention to carpets, rugs, and flooring. Check pets regularly – see our tips above. Regularly wash pet and human bedding at high temperature (check the wash label first). Flea Top Tip for Tenents When you move into a new property check for signs of fleas . And, ask your landlord whether the previous tenants had pets and whether a flea fumigation was undertaken prior to your occupation. If you have a flea problem in Herefordshire or Worcestershire call PGM and Son Flea Control Services , for all your flea control needs and flea advice. About PGM Pest Control PGM Pest Control  is an award-winning pest control company based in the UK, offering trusted, effective, and environmentally responsible services for homes and businesses. Known for our expert knowledge, educational resources, and excellent customer service, we go beyond treatments — we help our clients understand pests and prevent future problems. 👉 Visit us at   www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk  for professional pest control, insect identification, and free downloads.

Introducing The Flea! This week we are excited to carry on with our series of "Pest Trumps" at PGM and Son Pest Control Services with The Flea . 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 Trump" set of information cards is created to assist with pest-related issues in the UK. The Flea Fact File The most common type of flea found in the UK is the cat flea (“Ctenocephalides felis”). This flea type is very common and whilst their primary host is cats, the flea will also bite humans and dogs. The dog flea (“Ctenocephalides canis”) also uses a variety of hosts but most commonly targets cats and dogs. Two other types of fleas are bird fleas and human fleas. The bird flea has a very short life span but an impressive breeding stamp and multiplies is significant numbers. Human fleas are thankfully rare in the UK but are known to carry the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis (Y.pestis) also known as the Black Death. Fun Fact about Fleas In the second World War the Japanese tried to use fleas to carry Y.pestis as a biological weapon by dropping them in China. Flea Strength Fleas are tiny and don’t possess great strength, they can cause serious problems in animals and humans as we’ll find out later. Score: 1 Breeding Fleas’ lifecycle is a four-stage process from egg through to adult. This can take between two weeks and eight months depending on environmental factors. A female flea can live up to two years and in that time they can lay around 1500 eggs! Score: 10 Flea Nuisance Factor Fleas carry disease for example myxomatosis which is a serious disease in rabbits and can be spread by fleas. They also bite animals and humans and bites can cause allergic reactions. Young or frail animals can become weak and die of blood loss and lengthy periods of infestation can also cause anaemia in pets. Flea larvae can become infected with tapeworm eggs so pets can become a host to this parasite as well. So all round the tiny flea can cause some serious health issues in both animals and humans. Score: 10 Flea Agility Fleas are the Olympic high jumpers of the pest world. A flea can jump at least 100 times their own body length and have been known to reach up to 200 times. Score: 8 Environmental All organisms, including fleas, are part of the food chain. Whether they are consumed by animals, microorganisms or fungi, they help keep nutrients flowing through the system of life. Fleas score pretty low in this category though. Score: 1 Flea Superpower: Enhanced Leap We have to put the flea down for the enhanced leap. To put their jumping skills into context, if humans were to jump as well as fleas they would be able to leap over the Shard in London so that’s pretty amazing!! Overall PGM Pest Trumps Flea Rating 4/10 The flea scores well on its ability to jump to great heights but these disease spreaders score low for their nuisance factor and danger to public health. << Free Dowlnoad for Schools >> 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. 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 flea problem, it’s usually best to call in the professionals. For flea fumigation and control services 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 use the live chat facility on ou website and if we’re not available on the live chat for any reason then there’s a handy message service for you to leave your details so we can call you back.

If you’re suffering from itchy lumps or experiencing bites on your skin, then you’re right to be concerned as you may have a bed bug or flea problem. Bites and itching are often the first sign of a problem and usually when someone gets in touch with pest control. As the weather starts to warm up and with more and more of us spending long periods of time indoors, fleas thrive in these conditions. Bed bugs look for human hosts to feed on and with the property market currently booming and sale and rental properties going on and off the market regularly this creates a problem as bedbugs lie dormant waiting for their next human host to take up residence. This week we’ll take a look at common signs for both bedbugs and fleas as people often mix up the two when the first sign is bites. Where are bedbugs and fleas commonly found? Bed Bugs tend to lay their eggs in cracks and crevices near human hosts so often will be found in bedrooms. Common areas we find evidence of bedbug activity are bed frames; skirting boards; behind loose wallpaper and plug sockets. These are all ideal places for bedbugs to hide out and lay their eggs. Fleas love a pet so often people first spot signs on fleas on their dogs or cats but fleas can also be found in pets’ bedding; furniture; carpets and rugs. TOP BED BUG TIP: Back brush your pets or brush over a piece of paper to spot fleas or their droppings more easily Bites – bed bugs or fleas? Bed bugs mostly feed at night on their human host so you may find itchy red spots or lumps on your body. Flea bites, on the other hand, tend to be around the ankles and legs and typically are a small red spot around 5mm in diameter. Am I spotting a bed bug or flea? Take a closer look at your bedding, bed frame and mattress for signs of bed bugs such as dark ink line spots or blood smears. Also, you may find your laundry and bedding smells unpleasant. Check pets for fleas – are your pets scratching? Look closely at carpets and rugs – fleas jump! Treating your bed bugs or fleas A common complaint we hear from people is that they have tried to treat bedbugs and fleas themselves but they keep coming back. Whilst it is possible to treat bedbugs and fleas yourself DIY treatments don’t usually work in our experience. That’s because DIY treatments aren’t as effective as those used by qualified pest controllers who have access to solutions that aren’t available to the general public. Fleas and bedbugs can be extremely unpleasant and people sometimes leave it until the problem gets really bad before they report it because they feel embarrassed. This often leads to people trying to treat the problem themselves unsuccessfully. NEVER BE EMBARRASSED TO REPORT A BEDBUG OR FLEA PROBLEM Pest controllers have seen and heard it all so there’s no need to feel embarrassed about a bed bug or flea problem. It’s important to remember that a flea or bedbug problem isn’t something you have caused. Calling in pest control as soon as you think you may have a bed bug or flea problem will not only stop the problem getting worse but it can often put your mind at rest. PGM & Son Pest Control Services cover all local areas throughout the counties of Herefordshire  and Worcestershire Get in touch today for pest help, support and guidance. 01981 540088 or email us contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

As the weather takes a turn for the colder and the wind and rain set in, with winter looming sooner than we’d all like, we are already starting to see a rise in calls for rats and mice across the county of Herefordshire and Worcestershire . As rats and mice begin looking for places to shelter in the warm, we’re advising Herefordshire residents and Herefordshire business owners to keep an eye out for the signs of rats and mice and to take early action to prevent an infestation . As always, at PGM & Son Pest Control Herefordshire, we encourage people to take proactive steps to reduce access to their properties to rodents by carrying out simple, and often at little cost, preventative measures. Most of us are never far away from a rat as there are around 10 million rats in the UK! Top Ten signs you have a rat or mouse problem What to look out for: Coming in at number one is NOISES . Rats and mice can, and do, make a lot of noise. If you hear scratching, crawling or scrabbling in areas such as your loft, in the kitchen behind appliances in your utility or laundry room, attics and cellars then you may have a rat or mouse problem. Often people report very noisy unwanted guests to us – if your unwanted pest guest is very noisy it is more likely to be a squirrel than a rodent. At number two, we focus on DROPPINGS . Rat droppings tend to be spindle shaped, blunt droppings around 1½-2cm long for the brown rat and pointed and around 1½ cm long for the black rat. Mouse droppings are similar in shape but much smaller at around ¼ inch. At number three, its RAT URINE – rat urine has a very strong and distinctive smell. Next up is GREASY MARKS . Look out for greasy marks on your walls and skirting boards to identify evidence of rats. Another tell tale sign is GNAW MARKS . Both rats and mice chew. They can cause damage to electrical cables and other materials. Rats can chew through even strong materials such a metal pipes. If you spot signs of gnawing or chewing don’t ignore it as it could cause a major problem such as electrical fires. Just over the halfway point now and spotting signs of POSSIBLE ENTRY POINTS is another sign you may have a rat or mice problem. Look for gaps in your brick work or gaps around pipes and cables which extend to outside your property. Popular entry points are drains so make sure yours are in good order and preferably with drain covers to prevent access. Following on from gnaw marks, EVIDENCE OF CHEWING . Pieces of cardboard and soft materials which have been chewed may be signs rodents are using these to build nests. Another popular sign, coming in at number eight is RAT HOLES AND BURROWS AND RAT AND MICE NESTS . A sure fire sign you have a rodent issue. At number nine we have FOOTPRINTS AND TRACKS another clear sign you have a rat or mice problem. And finally, at number ten….. RATS AND MICE . If you see them, you’ve got them and you should call in a professional pest controller such as PGM & Son Pest Control to help you eradicate your rodent problem. Rodent Health Risks Rodents can pose a serious health risk to humans. Rats carry diseases such as Leptospirosis or Weil's disease, Salmonella, Listeria, Toxoplasma gondii and Hantavirus which can be passed onto humans. Business owners, especially 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. Those operating in the food supply business have a legal duty to manage pests and employers have a legal obligation to keep their employees safe. 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. So it’s something to take seriously. Don’t panic if you have a rat or mice problem, call PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford on 01981 540088 or 07964 370480 today for advice and solutions. Or visit our website at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or drop us an email to: contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk Don’t let a rodent problem get worse – rats and mice breed rapidly. Rats become 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 professional pest controllers today to sort out your rodent problem -

Dog is man’s best friend. However, its regular companion, the Flea, is most certainly not man’s best friend. And, dogs aren’t the only ones fleas love to inhabit; they do love a good cat too! They’ll also find a good hosting companion in other hairy animals such as rabbits, badgers and foxes. And if your pets have got fleas, chances are you’re going to suffer as well. Fleas account for more than half of all dermatological conditions requiring veterinary attention and a flea bite can cause intense itching and irritation. Fleas love hot and humid conditions and with the changes in climate, we’re starting to see their numbers rise particularly around this time of the year. Spotting The Signs of a Flea Infestation Look out for flea droppings on pets – you can see black droppings if you brush back the hair. Brushing over a white sheet will help. Check your carpets and furniture for any jumping fleas. Watch out for pets scratching and any humans with bites to their ankles. Treating a Flea Infestation Getting rid of fleas can be a frustrating and costly process. This is where a professional pest control company will rid you of your fleas; they carry out flea control and other pest control in residential, agricultural and commercial businesses and we also carry out end of tenancy fumigations too. Of course you can always try and treat the problem yourself but we find that customers who’ve tried this approach haven’t been successful. Treating a pet alone is not sufficient as the fleas will normally be living in household furniture, bedding and carpets. So, although you’ve treated your pet, the problem will return. And fleas, like a lot of other pests, are showing signs of becoming immune to shop bought treatments and powders. Call the pest control professionals to rid you of your flea problem once and for all. You can email PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or call us on 01981 540088 our for emergency 24-hour callout 07964 370480 or use our contact us page on the website for a free no-obligation quote for flea control services in your local area of Herefordshire and Worcestershire .

With a reported increase in rats across the UK, the Express recently reported that the Government is suffering from its share of rodents. The lower house of Parliament has been deemed an unsuitable environment for a feline rodent wrangler. The House of Commons is an 'unsuitable environment' for cats because of its out-of-control rat population. According to the Express , the House of Commons’ request for a feline pest controller was turned down as the House of Commons is considered an unsafe environment for cats due to the amount of poisons on the premises being used to control a significant rodent problem. In May Andrea Leadsom, former Leader of the House, told the Sunday Times that the place was “awash” with rats and mice and “if you left a half-eaten bowl of crisps out, they’d be munched by the next morning” . Recent warmer temperatures in winter are thought to have contributed to the rise in the rodent population across the UK. The British Pest Control Association estimates that there could be as many as 120 million rats in the UK – that’s double the human population. And according to the Express , the cost of controlling pests in the House of Commons has risen from £58,000 in 2020/21 to a staggering £112,000 last year! However, the spokesman said that at the Commons, 'the site was deemed to be an unsuitable environment for a cat due to the use of poisonous rodent traps. The traps are toxic to cats as well as vermin and it would have been a clear health and safety risk for any cat residing in the area'. Rodents scurrying around are a regular sight each evening in parts of the rambling 19th Century Palace of Westminster on the banks of the Thames. Just as well, perhaps, that one regular feline visitor to the Parliamentary estate – the Commons Speaker's cat 'Attlee' – sticks mainly to Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle's official quarters. Read more Rats, Rats, Rats! For professional rat control in Herefordshire and Worcestershire call PGM & Son Pest Control. www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk Our award winning pest control team work seven days a week to ensure Herefordshire is a rat free environment. To discuss how we can help you rid your home or business from rats call us to discuss our rodent removal service . Inspect. Detect. Protect. The Right People, The Right Solutions. A family run business, proud to say that we put our customers first. © PGM & SON LTD. 2025 | All rights reserved Kingsthorne, Herefordshire, HR2 8AL T: 01981 540088 | M: 07964 370480 contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

Fleas on the Rise in Herefordshire and Worcestershire We’ve seen record numbers of fleas across the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire over the last few years. Examining Rentokil's Alarming Statistics Seemingly a national problem, this month Rentokil reported seeing a rise in flea infestations by nearly half (47%) in just one year. Rentokil believe the unusual weather is the cause of this sharp increase with June 2023 being the warmest since 1884 followed by a wet July which saw above average rainfall of 170%. Insights from Phil Martin of PGM & Son Pest Control Phil Martin owner of PGM & Son Pest Control thinks there’s more to it than just the weather! “A lot of customers who regularly de-flea their pets have been experiencing flea infestations, and this didn’t make sense to begin with. But, our theory is that fleas are possibly becoming resistant to DIY and vet flea treatments, and this is causing fleas to move easily from pet to pet, even where owners routinely administer flea treatments. Although weather conditions provide an ideal condition for fleas to thrive, we’re not convinced that this is the reason for the sharp increase in fleas across the county. As pest controllers, we rotate treatment solutions to ensure that resistance doesn’t build up but vets don’t seem to do this so this could be one reason why pets which have been treated for fleas are still succumbing to them.” Summing Up the Factors Contributing to Flea Outbreaks Fleas can be difficult to treat and very distressing for customers; flea bites can cause painful itching and rashes and seeing fleas jumping around can be alarming. Ridding a home of fleas can be a frustrating and costly endeavor. Unlike some pests encountered around the home, fleas cause discomfort and irritation to both pets and people. They account for more than half of all dermatological conditions requiring veterinary assistance, and even a single flea bite to a hypersensitive animal or person may cause intense itching and irritation. It would be a grave mistake to think of the flea as simply a nuisance. For professional flea control across Herefordshire and Worcestershire call PGM & Son Pest Control on 01981 540088 or use the live chat facility on our website, you'll find it on the right hand side of the screen. Check out some of our other blog post on Fleas! Need help getting rid of Fleas? Having a problem with Fleas? Flea Prevention Getting rid of Fleas Read our Pest Trumps all about The Flea, click on the image. About PGM Pest Control PGM Pest Control  is an award-winning pest control company based in the UK, offering trusted, effective, and environmentally responsible services for homes and businesses. Known for our expert knowledge, educational resources, and excellent customer service, we go beyond treatments — we help our clients understand pests and prevent future problems. 👉 Visit us at   www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk  for professional pest control, insect identification, and free downloads.