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Join PGM & SON Pest Control at 11am today to observe a two-minute silence, wherever you are, to mark Armistice Day; Remember those fallen and to honour those in our Armed Forces, past and present: They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them

This week we’re looking at Pests in Historic Buildings whether the property is a Residential Home or a Charitable or Private Business Venture. We are asking ourselves: Why is prevention the key to Pest Control in listed buildings? Our Top 3 Answers to this question are: Prevent buildings and collections being damaged by pests Resolve any problems before they reach crisis point Target control measures to avoid wide-spread chemical treatments Our top tips for implementing a pest management program in a business or charity: Identify key staff Train your staff to recognise the signs of pests Make sure your key staff can prioritise areas that need addressing Establish preventative pest management systems and controls Know when to call in the professional pest controllers before a pest problem damages your building or collections Do you own or run an historic building whether as a residential, business or charitable entity? So what can listed building owners or managers do on a practical level? Keep pests out by proofing the property, for example by installing chimney cowls and bird spikes or mesh covers Deny pests harbourage, food and water Make sure you can recognise the main species of pest and be aware of the issues or damage they can cause Have in place a pest management programme which includes regular monitoring Improve your overall environment by carrying our regular maintenance Maintain good housekeeping and hygiene Review your strategies regularly to see how they can be improved PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE Seek advice and guidance from a professional pest controller – they’ve usually seen it all so will be best placed to advise you on what works and what doesn’t and, if they haven’t come across the problem before they will have access to expert knowledge and tried and tested solutions. What sort of pest issues do listed / historic buildings experience? Damage to materials including animal skins, fur, feathers, vellum, wool, parchment and hair. This may include items such as soft furnishings, furniture and collections that might include items such as costumes, dolls, rugs, curtains, taxidermy mounts, paintings and books to name just a few. Older buildings can contain dust and mildew which are ideal for some pests. Often, large historic buildings are difficult to keep clean which may also encourage pests. Older, larger listed buildings can be costly and difficult to maintain leaving them open to pests, particularly larger pests that can more easily access them such as birds and rats. Other problems that create ideal environments for pests include: Blocked chimneys and fireplaces Gaps between walls and ceilings Empty and unused spaces such as under storage or display cabinets Material linings on boxes and door strips such a felt and wool Old wasps’, bees’ and bird nests (often in attic spaces and eaves) Old ventilation and heating ducts Unused rooms, cellars, tunnels and secret spaces Furniture with hidden cracks and crevices A word on Bats Bats are quite often found in historic buildings. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides protection for all species of bat found in the UK. This means that it is ILLEGAL TO KILL OR DISTURB BATS IN THEIR ROOST. If you have bats in your property you must consult a professional pest controller or the Bat Conservation Trust for advice. To sum up, owning an historic building usually comes at a high price – don’t allow pests to increase your costs. Call in PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford for advice and solutions. Give us a call on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480 for a free no-obligation chat. If you prefer, you can email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or you can use the live chat facility on our website.

Choose PGM & SON Pest Control your local Herefordshire based, award winning pest control company! Got Pests? We've Got It Covered! PGM & SON are your Local Herefordshire Pest Controllers. British Pest Management Sole Trader of the Year 2019 & Herefordshire Business Awards’ Family Business of the Year 2019 finalists PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford is a local, family run business providing a wide range of pest control solutions throughout the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. PGM & Son Pest Control provides Domestic / Residential Pest Control Services as well as Commercial Pest Management Programs. Our customers include Herefordshire residents and Herefordshire Businesses. We provide pest management to hospitality business such as cafes, theatres, restaurants, hotels, pubs and events management businesses as well public service business such as schools, churches and early years settings. We also provide pest management to agricultural businesses including farms and food suppliers, so we cater for a wide range of businesses across the county of Herefordshire. As well as pest treatments and solutions for rats, mice, bedbugs, wasps, hornets, moles, cockroaches, fleas, carpet moth, flies (including cluster flies and blue bottles), silverfish, pigeons and other birds, woodworm, ants, ladybirds, squirrels, and much more we offer pest related solutions such as: Pest waste cleaning and pest waste removal including loft clearance services Pest proofing and prevention Insect identification services Pest prevention, treatment and proofing advice and guidance End / Start of Tenancy fumigations, landlords ’health check and clean bill of health service Pest treatment certification, for example, certification of woodworm treatment in properties Bespoke pest control solutions, Environmentally friendly & non-toxic solutions Free, no obligation pricing / quotes PGM & Son Pest Control Herefordshire provide reliable, efficient and effective pest control services with transparent and competitive pricing. Look to PGM & Son Pest Control for: Fast call outs – same day service available Transparent, competitive pricing – there’s no hidden costs with us Professional trained to Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) Level 2 standard; fully qualified, member of the National Pest Technicians’ Association (NPTA) and ongoing continuing professional development with industry recognised BASIS Prompt Peace of mind public liability insurance Upper tier waste carrier PGM & Son Pest Control is a local business which genuinely cares about the community and the county. Residents of Herefordshire 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. 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 put education above eradication. 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! PGM & Son Pest Control supports local charitable causes; some of our previous support has been given to the Hereford branch of SSAFA, C.A.R.E. (Herefordshire) CIC and the Pontrilas Young Farmers. DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT, CHECK OUT OUR REVIEWS: 100% Google reviews left by customers rated us as 5 Star! 100% of customers rates us as Excellent on Trustpilot! For all your pest control needs, give PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford a call on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480 for a free no-obligation chat. If you prefer, you can email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or you can use the live chat facility on our website at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk We’re always on the end of the ‘phone for advice so don’t worry about your pest problems, give us a call now.

DO YOU NEED A RELIABLE, TRUSTWORTHY, LOCAL PEST CONTROLLER? Call PGM & Son Pest Control Herefordshire for all your pest needs! We are a local, family run business offering pest control solutions and advice across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Call us today to ask us about our pest services, which includes: Rodent control, we’ll eradicate all your rat and mice problems Bed bug control Flea control Cluster fly control Woodworm treatment Ant control Cockroach control Wasp and hornet control Insect control and insect identification services Pest waste cleaning and pest waste removal including loft clearance services Pest proofing and prevention advice Want to know about our Covid-19 safety measures? PGM & Son Pest Control takes the Covid-19 pandemic very seriously. We employ additional measures and controls to keep us and our customers safe. For more information please visit our Covid-19 page on our website. Don’t worry if you have a pest infestation at this time as we are well versed in risk control and we can help you with your problem whilst keeping you and our staff safe. If you are worries about a pest problem please call us first to discuss your options. We’re always on the end of the ‘phone and happy to help. For all your pest control needs, give PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford a call on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480 for a free no-obligation chat. If you prefer, you can email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or you can use the live chat facility on our website. We’re always on the end of the ‘phone for advice so don’t worry about your pest problems, give us a call now on 01981 241334!

Pest Advice, Support and Guidance from PGM & SON, Hereford Pest Control A is for ANTS which can cause a problem in kitchens where they seek sweet foodstuffs. FLYING ANTS have a nuptial swarming flight during July and August. B is for BEDBUGS which we see more often these days due to increased travel, use of second-hand furniture and multiple occupancy buildings with high turnover. B is also for BATS which are a protected species in the UK. Always seek expert advice if you have bats roosting in your property. C is for COCKROACHES which carry disease. C is also for CARPET MOTH whose larvae feeds on feathers, fur, hair or wool and can cause significant damage to woollen carpets. D is for the DEATH WATCH BEETLE often found in stately homes where their grubs eat timber structures. E is for EARWIGS often disliked but are harmless and a minor agricultural pest. F is for FLEAS the most common the cat flea. F is also for FLIES which can transmit food poisoning, dysentery, typhoid or cholera. G is for GRAIN BEETLE often found in larder cupboards in bags of flour. H is for HORNETS twice the size of the common wasp! Their super strength sting can cause significant pain – ouch! I is for INSECTS a common name for a group of species. If you’re unsure what insect species you have, PGM & Son Pest Control offers an insect identification service. J is for jumping which FLEAS can do! K is for KNOWLEDGABLE which is what your PEST CONTROLLER should be! Always make sure your pest controller is fully qualified and a member of a recognised trade body. L is for LADYBIRDS which can cause problems in the Autumn when they can enter buildings in mass numbers, producing a foul-smelling liquid when disturbed which can cause staining to fabrics. The HARLEQUIN LADYBIRD is native to the Far East but has been spreading across Europe in recent years and is a predator of insects such as aphids. M is for MICE which can squeeze through a hole the size of a pen lid. They multiply rapidly and can cause damage to electrical wires in the home. M is also for MOLES which can cause major damage to gardens and grounds. M is also for MOSQUITOES which, in the topics, can transmit fatal diseases such as yellow fever and malaria. N is for the NATIONAL PEST TECHNICIAN’S ASSOCIATION, the trade body PGM & Son Pest Control is a member of O is for ORIENTAL COCKROACH, a species of COCKROACH P is for PROOFING and PREVENTION the key elements of keeping pests at bay. P is also for PIGEONS who foul buildings causing damage and their guano can cause health issues by spreading diseases such as Listeria and E-Coli. P is also for PGM & SON PEST CONTROL HEREFORD – THE AWARD WINNING LOCAL PEST CONTROL COMPANY IN HEREFORDSHIRE!! Q is for QUEEN BEE the leader of the hive. R is for RATS the pest most people dislike. They are disease carriers and they can gnaw through pipes. R is also for RABBITS which multiply quickly and cause damage to grounds. S is for SILVERFISH found in damp areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. S is for SQUIRRELS the grey variety has sadly all but decimated the native RED SQUIRREL species in the UK. T is for TICKS which transmit Lyme disease so long trousers and boots are essential when walking through the long Herefordshire grassy areas. U is for URBAN FOX opportunistic feeders that can be found in urban areas V is for VOLES also a protected species and not a pest but often mistaken by people for RODENTS. W is for WOODWORM often found in older style buildings they can wreak havoc to timbers. W is also for WASPS which can and do sting. X is for XYLODROMUS – AFFINIS a species of beetle that is found in Europe. Y is for YELLOW SWARMING FLY a species collectively known as the CLUSTER FLY which gather in huge numbers to invade attics and windows. Z is for ZORAPTERANS a termite which lives in small colonies beneath rotting wood. That’s our A-Z of Pests! If you have a problem with any of these pests and want more information, visit our website at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk For all your pest control needs, give PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford a call on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480 for a free no-obligation chat. We Are The Specialists in Pest Control If you prefer, you can email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk, or you can use the live chat facility on our website at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk. We’re always on the end of the ‘phone for advice so don’t worry about your pest problems, give us a call now.

PGM & Son Pest Control offer a number of solutions for those buying and selling property. Always make sure any properties you buy or let are pest-proofed and fully habitable for you, your family or your tenants. Pests and vermin can constitute a health hazard and they can cause damage to a property, so it is in your interest that any pest control problems are dealt with promptly and adequately before you buy or rent a property, whether it be residential or commercial. Did you know we provide: End of tenancy fumigation Pre-sale fumigation Landlord’s and Vendor’s Clean Bill of Health Check Pest waste cleaning and removal in properties, whether empty or occupied Pest proofing works Contaminated loft insulation and re-insulation services Insect identification service With Covid-19 restrictions lifting, the property market in Herefordshire is booming. The Government’s stamp duty holiday, in place until March 2021, appears to be giving the Herefordshire property market the boost it needs with many more properties coming onto the market and sales increasing. Over the period of lockdown, pest controllers saw an increase in pest activity for a number of reasons. Pests generally prefer to keep away from humans but with restaurants, pubs, cafes, schools, hotels and other public attractions being closed for long period or being used significantly less frequently, pests have found it easy to set up home and to get around unnoticed. Animals, like humans, are quick to adapt and pests have thrived during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many businesses and property owners have experienced pest problems, for example, birds nesting in empty properties and causing damage and significant amounts of mess. As people start to move property, they move furniture and carry out more thorough cleaning such as behind kitchen appliances and often, this is the time they will discover they have a pest problem. Bed bugs become active as human hosts take up residence, meaning that when you move into an empty property you may be disturbing dormant bed bugs. If you are moving into a rental property, you may find your tenancy agreement contains terms making the tenant responsible for dealing with pests / vermin before you move, and this may also mean ensuring that the property is free from any defects that may allow access for pests. If you are a Landlord and let a furnished property and the problem with pests was there when your tenant moved in, then it’s likely that you and not the tenant is responsible regardless of what the tenancy agreement says. Moving home can be an exciting time, many people have plans to carry out works to improve or change the property. Carrying out building, electrical and plumbing works can disturb pests. For example, rodents in the loft; birds nesting in the roof; wasps in the eaves; pigeon guano on the exterior surfaces. Rest assured, your trades people will most likely refuse to carry out the works until you have dealt with a pest problem. To avoid pest problems when you rent or sell your property or to deal with any pest problems you may have when you move, rent or buy a new property in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, call PGM & Son Pest Control. So whatever your pest problem, give PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford a call. We deal with: Rats Mice Bed bugs Cockroaches Pigeons and other birds Flies Woodworm Moles Squirrels And many more! Call us now on 01981 241 3345 or 07964 370480 or email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

Having a problem with pests? We’ve got it covered! Call in PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford for all your pest needs. If you’re having a problem with rats, mice, wasps, hornets, bed bugs, fleas, bird mite, cockroaches, ants, flies, carpet moth, moles, squirrels, woodworm or any other pest we can give you advice and solutions. A bit about us PGM & SON Pest Control is a local, award winning family run business. We handle all sorts of pest problems efficiently, effectively and in a cost-effective way. 10 Reasons why you should choose PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford We’re fully qualified and hold the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) Level 2 Award in Pest Management. We fully trained in the application of pesticides and competent to purchase and use professional products and equipment. We are members of BASIS Prompt – an independent industry and Government recognised register for professional pest controllers. This evidences that we keep our knowledge, training and skills up to date. We’re local, we understand the local community and we give back to the community through fundraising and charitable giving. As a local firm we can offer faster response times and we have a better understanding of the issues facing our area and community. As a local firm we also have a great local network so can help with connected issues such as when pests damage your plumbing, electrics or cause damage to your buildings. PGM & Son Pest Control is an accredited member of the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA), the pest industry’s recognised trade body. Check us out here: http://www.npta.org.uk/member-search/ PGM & Son Pest Control carries comprehensive public and products liability insurance. We also hold an Upper Tier Waste Carrier Licence. PGM & Son Pest Control offers a wide range of pest control services, We handle most pest problems, offer both residential and commercial services and additional services such as pest waste cleaning, pest waste removal and insect identification At PGM & Son Pest Control, the environment is important to us, we’re always happy to share our views on preventative pest control measures. Managing the risk to non-target species is top priority. We educate through working with individuals and businesses and through our regular weekly blogs. We’re happy to discuss environmentally friendly solutions with you and explain how we try to reduce our own carbon footprint. At PGM & Son Pest Control we know people want quality services at reasonable cost. We will always give you a quote for services in advance and explain clearly to you what the service will entail and what the cost will be. There’s no hidden charges with us! We’re award winning! PGM & Son Pest Control was crowned Sole Trader of the Year 2019 at the British Pest Management Awards (BPMA) and Family Business of the Year 2019 finalist in the Herefordshire Business Awards. What better accolade than being recognised by your industry peers and local businesses in this way! Almost half of all our business is through word of mouth referrals or returning customers (with different pest problems of course!). This is testament to how highly our customers value our services. Check out our reviews on our website at https://www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk/reviews or look up our reviews on Google by typing in PGM Pest Control and clicking on Google reviews. Read our feedback on Trustpilot at https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk If you have a pest problem today call in Herefordshire’s Pest Control Company PGM & Son Pest Control Give PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford a call today to book your appointment Call us on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480 Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR PRIORITY!

Wasp season is in full swing and in the last week we’ve seen a massive rise in wasp nest call outs across Herefordshire. Want A Superfast Pest controller in Hereford to remove your WASP NEST? Top three wasp related questions we are regularly asked:- Is a wasp nest dangerous? The answer is that it most definitely can be! Particularly if you are trying to move, or treat, a wasp nest. If wasps feel threatened they can become very aggressive and unlike bees, if they sting, they don’t die. The average wasp nest can hold between 3,000 and 6,000 wasps so disturbing a wasp nest of that size can be extremely serious. Pest controllers wear protective equipment to reduce the risk of being stung and they’re fully trained to carry out wasp nest treatments so it’s always best to leave it to the professionals! Will wasps return after a nest is gone? If a pest controller treats wasps unfortunately it doesn’t mean you won’t have wasps again in future. However, when a wasps’ nest is treated, if wasps do return once they see their old nest has been destroyed they won’t usually hang around. Wasps don’t usually build their nests in the same location, in fact it is quite rare which is why many pest controllers don’t physically remove the nests from sites once treated. What should I do if I have a wasp nest? If you can leave it alone then it’s best to do so. Wasps will die off naturally as the colder weather sets in. However, wasps’ nests typically last throughout the Summer months, around 3-4 months and in recent years we’ve seen them last longer because of the warmer climate. Wasp nests can get very large and hold over 10,000 wasps so if you have a wasp nest near the house or there is someone with a wasp allergy it’s best to get the wasp nest treated by a professional pest controller. So if you’ve got a problem with wasps, if you’re looking for a wasp guy to get rid of your wasp nest then give PGM & Son Wasp Control Hereford a call today for fast, safe wasp nest treatment. If you’ve a problem with wasps, hornets, ants or any other pest control issues across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, give PGM Pest Control a call. We’re here to help with all your pest problems. CLICK HERE FOR A FREE QUOTE Call us today on 01981 241334 / 07964 370480 for a free no-obligation quote. Or email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk

We cover Herefordshire and Worcestershire so give us a call or drop us an email to: contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk Ants can be really annoying however, they aren’t usually regarded as disease carriers so most people are advised to put up with them if they’re found in the garden. Ants can become a problem in the house though as they travel around outside across all sorts of terrain and so you wouldn’t really want them marching across your kitchen work surfaces or in your larder cupboard. The UK climate hasn’t historically been ideal for ants as they prefer warmer climates. However, with global warming, the ant is thriving in the UK and especially during these Summer months. How do you know if you’ve got ants? You’ll probably know you’ve got ants as you’ll normally see them first of all. Ants are fascinating creatures – watch how they operate, it is amazing! You may also see small holes in soil with small piles of earth surrounding them. What can you do to keep the ants away? There’s not a great deal you can do to keep the ants away from your garden but you can take some simple steps to reduce the risk of an ant infestation inside your home or business. This includes: Keeping work surfaces clean and free from sticky residues – ants love sweet things Make sure you keep foodstuffs in sealed tight containers and put away in cupboards. Remove anything that is a food source for ants Check to see where they might be entering your property and close the access point, although this can be very difficult as the ant is so small. Keep a close eye on the ants moving back and forth from nest to food to track their movements. Ant in your pants? A fun fact: the saying “ants in your pants” is generally thought to be due to excitement, restlessness, fidgety or worry but no specific or logical explanation or source for the saying has been found. Fun Ant Facts They’re super strong – an ant can carry 20 times its own body weight! Have you seen the ant man? Queen ants can have millions of babies – wow! imagine that! A colony will only usually survive a few months without a Queen. Worker ants cannot reproduce and a Queen is rarely replaced. Ants don’t have ears! What? Instead they hear by feeling vibrations with their feet Need Ant Control? If you have an ant control problem and want a local, reliable, value for money service, call PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480 today for advice and solutions.

From 29th June to 5th July, the annual week of action and education to raise awareness about the amazing solitary bees commences. At PGM & SON Pest Control - WE LOVE OUR BEES! 🐝 And solitary bees are no different. Most people have heard of bumble bees and honey bees but this week we’re joining the University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) and Cornish product designers, Green&Blue to help raise awareness of the solitary bee. What’s a solitary bee? A solitary bee doesn’t produce any honey or wax and they don’t live in hives or swarm. However, they are quite sociable and often nest close to each other – despite their anti-social name! Some solitary bees help collect pollen and nectar for their mothers to help feed their siblings – awww what kind little bees they are! Just over two thirds of solitary bees are ‘mining’ bees nesting in burrows underground. Others are cavity nesting and prefer to live in hollow plant stems, snail shells and existing holes and tunnels in wood or mortar. Masonry bees, more commonly called ‘mortar’ bees, are a solitary type of bee – quite often you’ll see this type of bee nesting in individual holes in mortar joints and soft bricks. Solitary bees make up around 90% of the bee population and there are currently around 240 species in the UK. Together with other pollinating creatures, they are responsible for a third of all the food we eat so they are massively important to the planet. Hoorah for bees!🐝 Due to increased use of chemicals in large fields and across farm lands unfortunately the solitary bee are increasingly under threat. There are less wildflower meadows and hedgerows around which historically provided home to many wildlife. Did you know? In some parts of China, there are no bees left to naturally pollinate and so pollination is being undertaken using paintbrushes! Wow! that’s a very gruelling task!! What you can do this week to help the solitary bee Share your photos on social media using the #solitarybeeweek And, as a reminder from PGM & Son Pest Control: Leave them Bee! If you are watching their fascinating work – social distance yourself! Don’t panic if your bees are active in hot weather, this is entirely normal! Contact 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). 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. So 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. 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. And, if you want to know more about how we carry out our pest control work safely during the Covid-19 pandemic, visit our website for more information: https://www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk/coronavirus-covid19 REMEMBER – BEE-ALERT – BEE-WISE – LEAVE THEM BEE! #BeeAlertBeeWiseLeavethemBee #solitarybeeweek #solitarybeeweek #earnyourstripes #makepestcontrolgreenagain

As far back as prehistoric times, pests have caused humans a problem. During this period humans were fewer and, with no homes or possessions or crops, pests were more likely to be those which caused physical discomfort such as lice, fleas, flies and mosquitoes. Pest control back in those times was most likely to have been limited to picking; swatting, slapping and squashing! Some of these measures continue to be used today! There are historical accounts of woollen clothing and feathers in centurion’s helmets being eaten during Roman times. In medieval times the plague or “black death” spread throughout Europe and Asia killing millions of people. Rats have long been cited as the cause of the black death although recently more controversial studies have pointed the finger at fleas and body lice with the implication that actually humans were the cause of the spread of the disease. The black death wiped out a third of Europe’s population in the mid-1300s. Whether or not this theory is true, rats have still played a significant role in spreading disease in modern plagues. In Tudor times, the monarchy used to employ people to beat carpets to get rid of moths and used cedar wood chests to try and keep pests at bay. In Victorian times, new species of pests were introduced into the UK with an increase in trade around the world. And, in the late 20th and 21st century we have seen a rise in other pests due to climate change. The fact that some pests have been around far longer than man gives an indication of the problems that are faced by pest control in the current century. Pests, like humans, evolve. They adapt quickly to their environment and they can become resistant to some control measures over time. Some interesting pest control measures throughout history Roman agricultural text of 50 A.D. (De re Rustica) suggests the following for protection from caterpillars: "a woman ungirded and with flying hair must run barefoot around the garden, or a crayfish must be nailed up in different places in the garden." Fortunately, at PGM & Son Pest Control we’ve never encountered these DIY methods on our rounds! After the fall of the Roman Empire Europeans relied increasingly on religious faith, superstition, and legalistic pronouncements, and less on biological knowledge. A few examples (from Dethier, 1976) illustrate this: In 666 A.D. St. Magnus, Abbot of Flussen, repulsed locusts and other pests with the staff of St. Columbia. In 1476 A.D. In Berne, Switzerland, cutworms were taken to court, pronounced guilty, excommunicated by the archbishop, and banished. In the eighteenth-century people wore a flea trap contraption around the neck. Fleas entered the outer perforations and were caught on a sticky tube inside. Fleas were a constant harassment to people of all classes during this period in Europe although there is no record of whether the flea trap necklace was successful in controlling the pest. T. W. Harris's Treatise on Some of the Insects Injurious to Vegetation (1841) gives some useful advice on controlling caterpillars “Pay children to collect them by the quart”! Fortunately, pest control has improved throughout history and is based much more on scientific fact. If you’re experiencing a pest problem give us a call at PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford. Rats, mice, wasps, flies, flea, bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, silverfish, squirrels, moles, moths, beetles – we’ve got it covered! For all your pest control needs, give PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford a call on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480 for a free no-obligation chat. If you prefer, you can email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk, or you can use the live chat facility on our website at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk. We’re always on the end of the ‘phone for advice so don’t worry about your pest problems, give us a call now!

If you want to open up your business pest free in Hereford as the lockdown restrictions ease check out our handy guide below. Whether you closed your business voluntarily prior to the lockdown or whether the Government’s rules forced you to close, the checklist below will help you to open up your business safely. ARE YOUR PEST READY? See our handy checklist below for tips on how to open your business pest-free. Visit your business to check for pest activity:- Inspect the interior and exterior of the premises for signs of pests or pest activity which may include the smell of urine; droppings; damage to the property or packaging and products; gnaw marks; eggs; shed skin; track marks; insect excrement and webbing. If you see a pest you know you have a problem! If you left food items behind when you closed your business you may have attracted pests even if food stuffs were in sealed containers. Rodents can gnaw through packaging quite easily with their strong teeth so don’t assume your stored food is safe Check for access points – mice can get through gaps as small as the end of a bic biro so keep your eyes peeled! Look to see whether your neighbouring properties may have any visible evidence of pest activity Make sure all routine maintenance jobs are carried out:- Check for damage to property – rodents can gnaw through wood, cables and soft metals. Check your water pipes and electricals. Check your cold water tank for contamination from squirrel droppings and urine. Carry out thorough cleaning and hygiene throughout site / premises:- Thoroughly clean your premises to the required standards Remove all waste and ensure it is collected or taken to a refuse site Ensure all food sources are safely secured Replace any damaged containers Dispose of any contaminated foodstuffs or foodstuffs in damaged containers Position containers off the ground Check the condition of your pest management equipment:- Bait boxes are in good condition and secured to the property where appropriate Traps are in good working order Check fly screens are secure and carry out repairs if damaged Check electric fly killer machines are in working order and change bulbs if needed Arrange for your electric fly machines to be serviced Remember – carcasses must be disposed of safely If you identify pest activity or a pest infestation, make sure you deal with it quickly and safely A PROFESSIONAL PEST CONTROLLER CAN SPOT THE SIGNS FOR YOU Do you have a pest controller? If your business kept its pest management programme going during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown period, then your business should already be well prepared to re-open this month. Food businesses – know the law! As a food business, the law says that you must keep your premises pest free. There are some key pieces of legislation that you need to be aware of: Food Safety Act 1990 Food Hygiene Regulations 2006 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Opening your business to the public with a pest problem could land you in hot water! Environmental Health Officers can issue you with an enforcement notice, your business can be shut down temporarily, or for good. If you do not comply with enforcement orders you may be fined or even end up with a prison sentence. CALL PGM & SON PEST CONTROL HEREFORD TO CHECK YOUR BUSINESS IS PEST READY At PGM & Son Pest Control we carry out health checks all the time so we’ll come into your business and check your premises for any signs of pests and, if we find any activity, we’ll deal with it for you so that you can re-open in the knowledge that your business, employees and customers are safely protected from pests. IF YOU HAVE A PEST PROBLEM CALL PGM & SON PEST CONTROL – WE’VE GOT IT COVERED! Unlike humans, the spread of pests cannot be controlled through social distancing measures and so pest controllers must balance public health against safeguarding of their employees, families and customers. At PGM & Son Pest Control we are employing additional measures to ensure the safety of our team and customers during the pandemic. Please check out our Covid-19 page on our website for more information: https://www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk/coronavirus-covid19 Call PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford for all your pest needs on 01981 241334 / 07964 370480. Or, email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk Check out our website at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk for more information about our services. And, if you want to know what our customers think about us, check out our reviews on https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk - HEREFORD AWARD WINNING PEST CONTROL SOLUTIONS -