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This week, we’re highlighting three important pest stories which have been in the news very recently. We’ve started with the most serious and urge people to read them as they emphasise the importance of pest control. Investigation into death of child from pigeon infection at Glasgow hospital Prosecutors are investigating the cause of a 10 year old boy’s death at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow after he contracted an infection linked to pigeon droppings. Investigators believe that a fungal infection, which contributed to the boy’s death, was caused by pigeon guano (droppings) found in a plant room on the roof of the hospital. The hospital now faces a review, ordered by the Scottish Health Secretary. An architect alleged that the design of the hospital was flawed as mechanical ventilation ducts can be gateways for disease and it is alleged that pigeons got in through the vents. The review will look at the building’s design, commissioning and construction, handover and ongoing maintenance. This is a very sad case and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very difficult time. Whilst we can’t speculate on the outcome of the review, the alleged link to pigeon guano highlights again the serious health risks pests can pose to humans. Food Hygiene Inspection finds rodent droppings and mouse sighting at Hereford Restaurant. Hereford Council awarded Thai on the Wye in West Street a food hygiene rating of zero following its inspection which found rodent droppings behind the counter in the food preparation kitchen, on the stairs and in the basement food storage area. A mouse was seen running behind the drinks’ chiller under the serving counter and rotting and gnawed food had gone unnoticed. Fridges, storage containers and other areas were dirty. The report said “the live rodent infestation posed an imminent risk of injury to health with significant risk of contamination to food products intended for human consumption”. All too often we come across businesses who either have a blatant disregard for the health and safety of their staff and customers or who say they can’t afford pest control. Well, to the latter we say that you can’t put a price on the health and safety of your customers and staff or your business’ reputation. And to those who blatantly flout the rules, we say the council should shut them down immediately. And, if the council doesn’t, customers should vote with their feet! Press reports England fast-bowler Stuart Broad was attacked by bed bugs at hotel. The press carried reports that England bowler Stuart Broad was bitten by bed bugs in the team hotel and was forced to move rooms ahead of the first test in Barbados. It was claimed that several England players resorted to sleeping on mattresses in the hotel’s corridors after the outbreak. It seems like this hotel could benefit from reading our bed bugs and hotels blog which we published at the end of September last year! Whilst the last story might bring a smile to some lips, these pest reports are all very serious. They highlight the importance of public services and businesses being vigilant in pest identification and taking proactive and preventative measures to ensure the health and safety of their staff, customers and patients is not compromised. Public services and businesses have a legal and moral duty to do the right thing, regardless of the cost. In all three cases, the potential ramifications are almost certain to outstrip the cost of the putting in place appropriate pest management programs in the first place. We urge all businesses and public services to take note! Find out more about why your business needs pest control at Commercial Pest Control Hereford Or call PGM & SON Herefordshire on 01981 241334 / 07964 370480 for advice and guidance. We also cover Worcestershire businesses too. Email us if you prefer at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk Use our live chat facility at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk PGM & SON provide pest control solutions to individuals and businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. We also offer a variety of techniques, including pesticide free and organic solutions, preventative and proofing works and more traditional methods. We are available 24 hours a day to eradicate your pest problems - Wasp Nest Removal | Rat Infestations | Mice | Moles | Carpet Moths | Carpet Beetles | Cluster Flies | Cockroaches | Birds | Ants | Fleas | Hornets | Bedbugs | Termite Control | Waste Removal and more! We provide pest control solutions to residential and commercial businesses across Hereford and Worcester. Our company is a well respected and experienced pest control service. Any of your bug and pest problems will be quickly eliminated with quality & guaranteed work by our professionally trained technicians who can control pests safely, legally and effectively. We are committed to exceeding your expectations when it comes to environmentally friendly pest control services throughout Herefordshire. Our goal is to ensure that you get the most proactive, preventative, and effective pest control program. Living in this beautiful rural community and having kids and pets of our own, we SHARE your concerns. We adopt practices that minimise exposure to the environment, wildlife and other non-target species. Education matters when it comes to pest control. Overuse of chemicals isn’t good for the environment’s health or your family’s. At PGM & SON Pest Control, we are committed to exceeding your expectations when it comes to environmentally friendly pest control services throughout Herefordshire. Our goal is to ensure that you get the most proactive, preventative, and effective pest control program available without causing harm to you and your family and minimising the exposure to wildlife and the environment. We can’t wait to add you to our growing list of happy customers. Customer satisfaction is our priority Putting our customers first is the key to our exceptional service at every visit Local & family owned We bring family values to our business Our local presence enables quick communication and response We put our customers at the heart of our business Animal welfare is high on our agenda Operating a fair pricing policy - there are no hidden charges and our prices are reflective of the work required and service we provide Abide by strict health & safety guidelines Fully qualified, professional and trustworthy Fully insured, £5 million+ Liability Insurance 100% Qualified Staff 24 Hour Service a family run business Your Satisfaction Is Our Priority 24 Hour Pest Control Company In Hereford Need some help & advice with a pest problem? We have it covered, contact us today for a free non obligation quote click here

#makepestcontrolgreenagain This week we’re talking about “green” pest control. So, what do we mean by “green pest control”? Well, it’s a term hard to define as often people will have different views of what “green” is. To some, it will mean no pesticides or eradication and to others it may mean fewer pesticides. However, at PGM & SON Pest Control Herefordshire, we believe that green pest control is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining a number of methods such as biological, cultural, physical and chemical measures to minimise risks to health, the environment and economy. The emphasis should be on control and not eradication. At PGM & SON we use methods that limit pest activity through our understanding of the biology and habits of pest species. So, whether you call that green pest control or environmentally friendly pest control, the outcome for us is the same: Protecting our customers, their properties, businesses, employees and members of the public from unwanted pests. The PGM & SON green pest control approach has its roots in prevention and monitoring with a minimum reliance on chemical treatments. We adopt practices that minimise exposure to the environment, wildlife and other non-target species. We work with you to change the mind-set and culture of occupants / staff; by helping change behaviours and improving understanding, we can make your property / premises less attractive to pests. Pest Seen – Go Green! Pests can easily move around, “hitching” a ride on visitors and staff who may unwittingly bring them into your home or business. If you, your tenants or your employees know what to look out for, problems can be contained and dealt with more quickly and effectively. So, always look for a pest controller who can offer advice and solutions as well as treatment. Your green pest controller should offer non-toxic solutions, such as non-toxic monitoring stations to ensure early identification of infestation. Also, use of targeted measures such as pheromone lures, insecticide gels and heat treatments in preference to chemical sprays should be a considered option. Your pest controller should make children, pets and non-target species a priority when handling a pest problem. Public health and the environment should be top of their agenda. If you find you have a pest problem, here’s some tips on choosing & using a green pest controller: Ask how they plan to solve the problem - pesticides should not be immediately suggested Discuss alternative options with your pest controller. They should be able to tell you what will work, what won’t and, importantly, why! Chemical solutions should be a ‘last resort’ measure when all other solutions have been considered and discounted. When used as a last resort, there should be a targeted approach, limited to specific areas / pests and chemical use with lowest possible concentrations If toxic solutions are used, make sure they are telling you what products they are using and what the chemical components are Ask your pest controller about their environment policy – they should be able to tell you about their approach to sustainable pest control but also what they do to minimise the impact on the environment, for example, how they reduce their carbon footprint. So, what can you do to keep pest free? There’s lots of things you can do and it’s important to emphasise the importance of being proactive because preventing a problem or identifying it early means that the long-term effects on the environment are minimised. Our top 5 tips for keeping pest free are: Keeping the pests out to begin with - prevention or “proofing” your home or business against unwanted pests. External proofing, removing harbourage and internal control measures (e.g. good home maintenance; monitoring stations). Consider introducing natural predators (e.g. cats to control rodent populations) Carry out and enforce good hygiene Remove food and water sources Early pest identification – call in the professionals early to handle a problem before it gets out of control (we don’t want to be blunt here but it needs to be said that if you let a problem escalate not only will it cost you more in terms of potential repairs / treatment you’ll also be the root cause of unnecesary eradication of greater numbers of animals) Use of green treatments (e.g. pheromone control, heat and cold treatments) At PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford, we work with you to ensure you are pest-free. Don’t simply assume you can hire a pest controller to solve your pest problem – change must come from within as well. And, that’s where we can also help by offering advice and solutions to all your pest control problems. So, for all your green pest control requirements, give us a call at PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford for all your pest control needs. Give us a call on 01981 241 334 or 07964 370480. Or, drop us an email at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk And remember, share and like #makepestcontrolgreenagain 24 Hour Pest Control Company In Hereford Need some help & advice with a pest problem? We have it covered, contact us today for a free non obligation quote click here

Why choose PGM & SON Pest Control Herefordshire for your Commercial Pest Control? This week we’re talking about commercial pest control, the reasons for it and what your business needs to look for when choosing a commercial pest controller. Why does your business need to worry about pest control? Pests can contaminate workplaces. They spread disease and cause damage to property and products. Pests have the potential to ruin your business’ reputation and may even result in a prosecution against your business so it’s essential for you to put the correct measures in place to protect you, your business, your employees and customers. Protect your reputation! Prosecutions and fines bring adverse media attention which your business may not recover from. Loss in customer confidence may force your business to close. Meet your legal obligations! Make sure you meet your obligations to provide a safe working environment (Health and Safety at Work Act 1974). If you are a food business, meet your obligations under the Food Safety Act 190 and the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006. What should you look out for in a commercial pest controller? We’ve put together the table below which sets out a number of areas you should look out for when choosing a professional, commercial pest controller. We also let you know if PGM & SON Hereford meet the required / best practice suggestions: What to look for in a commercial pest controller Whether it’s protecting hospitals, warehouses, restaurants, shops, museums, offices, food processing plants, schools, GP surgeries, pubs, cafes and many more businesses from a wide variety of pests, at PGM & SON Pest Control Herefordshire we can help. Rats, mice, nuisance birds, bed bugs, insects, ants, fleas, cockroaches and pest mess! We can help with it all. Give your local pest control business a call today for a free no-obligation quote. Call us today on 01981 241334 / 07964 370480 for a free no-obligation quote. Or email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk.

With panto season almost over for another year, it’s an opportune moment to share a much-loved panto story with our readers. The Pied Piper of Hereford In 2019, the city of Hereford was experiencing a severe rat infestation. A piper dressed in bright multi-coloured (“pied”) clothing appeared, claiming to be a rat-catcher. The piper promised the Council a solution to the town’s rat problem and the Council, in turn, promised to pay him for the removal of the rats. With his magic flute, the pied piper lured the vermin away from the city, but the Council reneged on the deal and cheated the pied piper out of his money. So, the pied piper returned to the city and lured the children away too. It’s an age-old story and one that many of us know and love but there’s some truth in the story: It’s very easy for a rat infestation to take hold Both the black and brown rat breed rapidly. A female may produce 3 to 12 litters of between six and eight young in a year. That can mean up to 100 baby rats in a year from one female alone! And they become sexually mature in about 3 months so it’s easy to see how even one or two rats can present a major problem in a very short period of time. We’re just starting to experience a cold snap in Herefordshire and that can only mean one thing for our furry friends – time to find warmth, water and food! Rats are becoming quite brazen, so you’ll probably come across them more often than you think. It’s not uncommon to see rodent corpses outside shops and in roads and on pavements across Herefordshire. If you spot the signs of rodents, give us a call as soon as possible. Don’t let rats run riot in your home, garden or business. Things to look out for are: Droppings Urine odour – rats have a very strong, distinctive, musty and unpleasant urine odour. Gnawed holes. Burrows and runways. Nests. Scratch marks. Noises – scampering and scratching / gnawing sounds. Your pet displays unusual behaviour – dogs especially are good at sniffing out rats. Give us a call at PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford for all your pest control needs. Give us a call on 01981 241 334 or 07964 370480. Or email at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk And finally, just as with any fairy-tale, there’s some myths we need to bust about the Pied Piper: 1. A magic flute and a pied piper won’t solve your rodent problems; and, 2. Hereford Council won’t offer to pay for your pest control!! PGM & SON Pest Control - a local Herefordshire based family run pest control firm. We’re friendly, trustworthy and reliable. We offer fair and transparent prices, fast call outs and advice and guidance. Call us today – you won’t be disappointed. Inspect. Detect. Protect. The Right People, The Right Solutions. A family run business, proud to say that we put our customers first. 24 Hour Pest control company serving Herefordshire & Worcestershire.

We hope all our customers, suppliers and supporters have enjoyed a lovely Christmas break. The weather has been kind to us at the moment in Herefordshire but that looks set to change in the New Year. We might expect colder conditions and, either way, this won’t deter the pests. We receive calls about a whole variety of pests at any time of the year but in January and February, we expect mice, rats, foxes and squirrels to be the most troublesome. As always, at PGM & SON Pest Control, we advocate responsible pest control. Looking back over our blogs for 2018 we’ve given lots of advice on preventative pest control measures. Please take a look on our website at these articles as it’s really important to promote pest control solutions that work together with the environment. As the world becomes more aware of the impact of its actions on the animals and wider environment it’s crucial that we all do our bit to make sure we safeguard the planet for our children and our children’s children. We know pests can be a real nuisance and, in some cases, harmful to humans. That’s why it’s always best to call in the professionals. We know how to deal with pests so that we protect you, your family and your property and in a manner that ensures we aren’t recklessly damaging the environment or the insect and animal population. Lots of people worry about the cost of pest control and, it’s true that some of the big pest control companies can prove very expensive. At PGM & SON Hereford, we don’t have the over-heads that those national pest control companies have and we’re local and family run, so you’ll probably be surprised at how cost effective our treatments and solutions are. Often, people try to deal with a pest problem themselves, or even ignore the problem altogether. This can end up being expensive in the long run, ineffective and not in line with responsible pest control. So, as we leave 2018 and head into 2019, don’t let a pest problem upset you or spiral out of control, give us a call at PGM Pest Control Hereford on 01981 241334 or 07964 370480. Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or visit our website at www.pgmpestcontrol.co.uk We offer a fast, friendly, reliable and cost-effective service. Local rates, local company. Finally, it just leaves us to wish everyone a Happy New Year! From all at PGM & SON Pest Control Herefordshire. Are you looking for the best and affordable Pest Control Company in Hereford? We provide the most effective pest control treatments to eliminate any pest problem for residential and commercial properties. PGM & SON provide pest control solutions to residential and commercial businesses across Herefordshire. Our company is a well respected and experienced pest control service. Any of your bug and pest problems will be quickly eliminated with quality & guaranteed work by our professionally trained technicians who can control pests safely, legally and effectively. ​ Our team are trained and certified to protect your home or business from any pest. ​ Wasp Nest Removal | Rat Infestations | Mice | Moles | Carpet Moths | Carpet Beetles | Cockroaches | Birds | Ants | Fleas | Hornets | Bedbugs | Waste Removal and more! Areas we cover:- A Abbey Dore Aconbury Acton Beauchamp Acton Green, Herefordshire Adforton Alder's End Allensmore Almeley Ashperton Aston Ingham Avenbury Aylton Aymestrey ​ B Bacton, Herefordshire Bagwyllydiart Ballingham Barnards green Bartestree Beavan's Hill Birley with Upper Hill Bishop's Frome Bishopstone, Herefordshire Black and white village Blackwardine Blakemere Bodenham Bolstone Bosbury Brampton Abbotts Brampton Bryan Bransford Bredenbury Bredwardine Breinton Bridge Sollers Bridstow Brilley Brimfield, Herefordshire Brobury Brockhampton-by-Ross Brockhampton, Herefordshire Bromsgrove Burghill Burrington, Herefordshire Bush Bank Byford Byton, Herefordshire ​ C Callow, Herefordshire Canon Pyon Clehonger Clifford, Herefordshire Clodock Colwall Combe Moor Combe, Herefordshire Cornett, Herefordshire Cradley, Herefordshire Craswall Credenhill Cusop ​ D Dilwyn Dinedor Donnington, Herefordshire Dorstone Downton, Herefordshire Droitwich ​ E Eardisland Eardisley Eastnor, Herefordshire Edvin Loach Ewyas Harold Eye, Herefordshire Eyton, Herefordshire ​ F Fiddler's Green, Herefordshire Fownhope Fromes Hill ​ G Ganarew Garway Goodrich, Herefordshire Gorsley Common Grafton, Herefordshire ​ H Hampton Bishop Hatfield, Herefordshire Haywood, Herefordshire Hanley-swan Hentland Hoarwithy, Herefordshire Holme Lacy Holme Marsh Hope Mansell Hope under Dinmore How Caple Huntington, Herefordshire ​ I Ivington ​ K Kentchurch Kerne Bridge Kilpeck Kimbolton, Herefordshire King's Caple Kingsland, Herefordshire Kingsthorne Kingstone, Herefordshire Kinnersley Kinsham Kivernoll Knill ​ L Lea, Herefordshire Ledbury Leigh Leigh Sinton Leinthall Earls Leinthall Starkes Leintwardine Lingen, Herefordshire Linton, Penyard Little Dewchurch Little Hereford Llandinabo Llangarron Llanrothal Llanveynoe Llanwarne Longtown, Herefordshire Lower Bransford Lower Bullingham Lower Lyde Lucton Lugwardine Luston Luxley Lyonshall ​ M Madley Malvern Mansel Lacy Mansell Gamage Marden, Herefordshire Marlbrook, Herefordshire Mathon, Herefordshire Middleton on the Hill Moccas Monkland, Herefordshire Monnington on Wye Mordiford Moreton Jeffries Moreton-on-Lugg Much Birch Much Cowarne Much Dewchurch Much Marcle ​ N Norton Canon ​ O Orcop Orleton ​ P Pembridge Pen-allt Pencombe Penrhos, Herefordshire Perton, Herefordshire Pershore Peterchurch Peterstow Peopleton Pipe and Lyde Pipe Aston Pixley, Herefordshire Pontrilas Preston on Wye Preston Wynne ​ R Redford Richard's Castle Risbury Rowlestone Rushock, Herefordshire ​ S Sapey Common Sarnesfield Shobdon St John's St Weonards Staunton on Wye Stoke Edith Stoke Lacy Stoke Prior, Herefordshire Stretford, Herefordshire Stretton Grandison Stretton Sugwas Symonds Yat ​ T Tarrington Tedstone Delamere Tewksbury Thornbury, Herefordshire Thruxton, Herefordshire Titley Totnor Trumpet, Herefordshire ​ U Ullingswick Upper Breinton Upper Lyde Upper Sapey Upton Bishop Upton upon Severn ​ V Vowchurch ​ W Wacton, Herefordshire Walford, Ross-on-Wye Walterstone Warham, Herefordshire Wellington Heath Wellington, Herefordshire Welsh Bicknor Welsh Newton Weobley Westhide Weston Beggard Weston under Penyard Whitbourne, Herefordshire Whitchurch, Herefordshire Whiteleaved Oak Whitney-on-Wye Whittington / Warndon villages Wick Wigmore, Herefordshire Wilton, Herefordshire Withington, Herefordshire Wolferlow Woolhope Woonton Worcestershire Wormbridge Wormelow Tump ​ Y Yarkhill Yarpole Yarsop Yazor

Well, as 2018 nears an end we thought it would be a fitting time to wish all our customers, supporters and readers a fantastic Christmas and Happy New Year! However, we can’t resist seeing the year out with some words of advice over the Christmas period for keeping the pests at bay. Christmas is a time when people put the trials and tribulations of the year behind them, get together with friends and family, huddle up in the warmth and indulge and enjoy themselves, And, we’re no different at PGM & Son Pest Control. We’ll be turning up the fire, enjoying a glass (or two!) of wine and forgetting waist lines as we feast on the treats Christmas has to offer. But remember this, the cosy fires and Christmas treats we all enjoy are loved as well by our furry rodent friends. As the weather turns colder, they’ll be looking for places to stay warm and for food to forage. Our top five tips for avoiding sharing your Christmas festivities this year with the rodents are: 1. Make sure you reduce access to food sources – don’t forget to clean up at the end of the night. It’s tempting to go to bed after you’ve had a few glasses but leaving all those crumbs out invites the furry houseguests in. 2. Keep on top of your rubbish and recycling. Don’t wait for the local authority to collect it, particularly as Christmas bin collections may be limited – if your bins are in danger of overflowing, take the excess to the tip or agree to share bin space with neighbours. 3. If you’re someone who likes to feed the birds in the winter months, make sure you keep the area around bird feeders clean. Don’t invite the rodents to share the bird feed – remember rodents will quite happily climb up onto bird feeders to share food. 4. Keep your pet bowls cleared away as soon as Rover or Tiddles has finished. Rodents aren’t fussy about what they eat. 5. Make sure you keep an eye on your property – look for entry points and keep windows and doors closed, drains and pipes clear and covered with rodent proof mesh. Okay, so we said top 5 tips but we forgot about tip number 6: 6. If you do find you have a rodent problem – give us a call! Call in the professional pest controllers. PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford is open for business over the Christmas period so don’t be worried about a pest control problem. Give us a call or email us and we’ll be happy to help. We offer emergency call outs over the Christmas and New Year period so don’t be afraid to contact us! Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or call us on 01981 241334 / 07964 370480 or use the contact us page on the website. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL FROM THE TEAM AT PGM & SON PEST CONTROL HEREFORDSHIRE! a family run business Your Satisfaction is Our Priority 24 Hour Pest Control Company In Hereford Need some help & advice with a pest problem? We have it covered, contact us today for a free non obligation quote click here click here

GOT PESTS? WE'VE GOT IT COVERED! "Pests are our passion, we follow the CRRU Code of Best Practice" ​ Are you looking for the best and affordable Pest Control Company in Hereford? We provide the most effective pest control treatments to eliminate any pest problem for residential and commercial properties. ​ Our team are trained and certified to protect your home or business from any pest. ​ Wasp Nest Removal | Rat Infestations | Mice | Moles | Carpet Moths | Carpet Beetles | Cockroaches | Birds | Ants | Fleas | Hornets | Bedbugs | Waste Removal and more! Customer satisfaction is our priority Putting our customers first is the key to our exceptional service at every visit! Local & family owned We bring family values to our business Our local presence enables quick communication and response We put our customers at the heart of our business Animal welfare is high on our agenda Operating a fair pricing policy - there are no hidden charges and our prices are reflective of the work required and service we provide Abide by strict health & safety guidelines Fully qualified, professional and trustworthy Fully insured, £5 million+ Liability Insurance 100% Qualified Staff 24 Hour Service PGM & SON provide pest control solutions to individuals and businesses across Herefordshire. We also offer a variety of techniques, including pesticide free and organic solutions, preventative and proofing works and more traditional methods. We are available 24 hours a day to eradicate your pest problems - rats, mice, flies, fleas, squirrels, moles, rabbits, cockroaches, clothes & carpet moth, carpet beetles, bedbugs, wasps, bees, hornets, and birds. Call us now for a personal, polite, smart and professional service. a family run business Your Satisfaction is Our Priority 24 Hour Pest Control Company In Hereford Need some help & advice with a pest problem? We have it covered, contact us today for a free non obligation quote click here Education matters when it comes to pest control. Overuse of chemicals isn’t good for the environment’s health or your family’s. At PGM & SON Pest Control, we are committed to exceeding your expectations when it comes to environmentally friendly pest control services throughout Herefordshire. Our goal is to ensure that you get the most proactive, preventative, and effective pest control program available without causing harm to you and your family and minimising the exposure to wildlife and the environment. We can’t wait to add you to our growing list of happy customers.

This week, we’ve interviewed our pest control technician to find out a bit more about cockroaches. After watching I’m a Celebrity, Get me Out of Here! We were keen to find out more about cockroaches and whether people are right to be so squeamish about them. So, Phil, are people right to be concerned about the presence of cockroaches? Yes, cockroaches carry diseases which can cause food poisoning in humans and many other bacteria. As cockroaches forage for food and water, they can contaminate food, cooking utensils and surfaces used to prepare food. They crawl through dirty areas and then they carry lots of bacteria and germs around your home or business premises. They can contaminate food by shedding their skins and their cast of skins and waste by products are allergens which can cause problems for people who suffer from allergies and asthma, particularly children. Eww, yuk! Can you tell us a bit more about cockroaches? Yes, of course. There are two main species of cockroaches in the UK and they are the German cockroach and the Oriental cockroach. You can usually identify a cockroach by their long antennae, a bit like whips, flat oval bodies and the way they walk in a rapid, jerky style. They’re dark brown / black in colour and around 20 to 24mm long. The young cockroaches look just like the adults but smaller. The German Cockroach carries its egg case until the 30 or more nymphs are ready to hatch. The Oriental Cockroach deposits its 13mm long egg capsule on packaging, sacking or in suitable dark crevices before the 16 to 18 nymphs hatch around 12 weeks later. They grow in stages, from nymphs to maturity in 6 to 12 months for the Oriental Cockroach, and 6 to 12 weeks for the German Cockroach. So, where can we find them? Well, cockroaches can’t normally survive outside so you’ll usually find them indoors and they thrive on warm, damp places. So, popular spots for cockroaches are kitchens, spaces near boilers, bathrooms, places where people eat and drink, pipes, stoves and sinks. So, we often spot cockroaches in household kitchens and bathrooms, other centrally heated buildings such as hospitals, hotels, blocks of flats and places where people eat food or food is made such as restaurants and bakeries. What do they eat? Pretty much anything! So, rubbish, faecal matter and food or leftover food. They can also chomp their way through no-organic items like books and toothpaste! Whilst they can go without food for many weeks, they need water to survive so you’ll usually find a water source not far away. Why is it important to control cockroaches? Well, apart from the risk to human health that I mentioned at the start, businesses can really suffer from reputational damage if they have cockroaches. Would you want to eat in a restaurant which had cockroaches? No, I certainly would not! So, how can we get rid of cockroaches if we do find we have a problem? Well, its always best to call in the professionals of course! Joking, aside, it can be really difficult to control cockroaches because its tricky getting the insecticide to them. Also, the insecticide you use should have enough persistence to stop the nymphs from hatching later from un-hatched egg capsules. As a pest control professional, PGM & SON has access to treatments that are not available to the general public. Okay, well it sounds like its best to give you guys a call if we spot a cockroach, but is there anything we can do to make sure we don’t get them in the first place? Well, as you know, at PGM & Son Hereford, we always advocate preventative pest control. So, there are lots of sensible, simple measures you can take to make sure you keep the bugs at bay. Make sure you always keep food preparation and surfaces clean and tidy. Don’t leave dirty crockery and utensils out or in your sink. Keep your bins clean, make sure they are tightly covered with a lid and empty them regularly. Check warm areas that are potential food sources, such as below your fridge or cooker as these are ideal places for cockroaches. People don’t often clean below these hard to reach places, so cockroaches love them. Make sure you repair and proof any areas that are potential access points such as gaps around doors and windows and where your utility lines enter your property. You can keep mice out by doing this too! Repair leaks beneath your sinks and on the sink top – it’s important to cut off water sources. Thanks Phil, that’s some great advice. Finally, can you tell us any interesting facts about cockroaches for our readers? Of course, many of your readers may not know that cockroaches can live for up to one week without their heads! They can also hold their breath for up to 40 minutes. Cockroaches are also cannibals! They even take to eating each other when they’re hungry – gross eh? And, they are really, really fast. Cockroaches are the Usain Bolt of the insect world! They can run up to speeds of 1.5 meters per second, which is the human equivalent of around 200 miles per hour! Wow! sounds like they are fascinating creatures although not ones we want to share our homes and businesses with! Thanks for the information and the helpful advice you’ve given us today Phil. No problem, anyone who thinks they may have a cockroach problem can call us and we’ll pop out and take a look. We also offer an insect identification service. a family run business Your Satisfaction Is Our Priority 24 Hour Pest Control Company In Hereford Need some help & advice with a pest problem? We have it covered, contact us today for a free non obligation quote click here

What’s it all about? Small Business Saturday is a grass roots non-commercial campaign which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities. The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year but the campaign aims to have lasting effects on small business. Find out more about the small business campaign at: https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/about-us This year, small business Saturday takes place on 1st December 2018 and we’re delighted that Ewyas Harold, PGM & Son Hereford’s local village community, is hosting small business Saturday! Ewyas Harold Small Business Saturday This Saturday Ewyas Harold is hosting its own Small Business Saturday. The event is running from 9am to 9pm with something happening all through the day. Come along and support all of the wonderful small businesses Ewyas Harold has to offer. PGM & Son will be there to support other local businesses and we’d be delighted to hear from anyone who has a pest control problem or knows of someone who is in need of pest control! Anyone who is interested in what we do, feel free to come and find us and we’ll be happy to chat for hours about pests!; we’ll be around in the village from around 5.30pm. You can also grab one of our business cards in Mailes’ butchers, in The Old Stables Fish and Chip Shop or you can see our flyer in the Post Office. Please also join us in supporting the other worthy local small businesses taking part, including: Mailes Butchers The Temple Bar Inn The Dog The Old Stables Fish and Chip Shop Ewyas Harold Village Store and Post Office Ty Gwyn Cider Black Mountain Botanicals Cupid’s Marquee’s Craswell Young Farmers Club Links to all the above businesses and more information about the event can be found on the Ewyas Harold Village Website at: https://www.facebook.com/EwyasHaroldVillageWebsite/ There’s lots of other small businesses in the Golden Valley that really offer great services from plumbing, electricals and construction services through to health and leisure services and activity centres such as http://www.battlelands.co.uk/ Support your local pest controller If you’ve a pest problem then please consider PGM & Son Hereford. We’re local, family run and we offer great value for money. Give us a try! Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or call us on 01981 241334 / 07964 370480 or use the contact us page on the website.

Proof that Pest Control Works! This week we thought we’d blog about the importance of proofing works. We regularly blog about the importance of prevention in pest control. One of the key prevention approaches is proofing. Did you know that PGM & Son Pest Control Hereford offers pest proofing solutions? When we refer to proofing, we mean stopping the pest getting into your property in the first place. And, it’s usually rodents that cause the main problems and where proofing works can make a real difference. At PGM & Son Hereford we’ll first try and find out where the rodents are getting in and then we’ll help you to keep them out! We start by carrying out a thorough inspection of your property and we look for ways that the rodents may be getting in which as gaps under doors, air bricks, pipes, drains and other access points. If your property adjoins another, we’ll also check to see whether the rodents are accessing your property from your neighbour’s. Don’t worry, we’re discreet at PGM & Son and we’re happy to help broach your neighbours if we find the problem may be coming from their property. We look internally for entry points as well. There may be existing entry points or potential entry points for rodents so its important to check inside as well as outside. We’ll then discuss with you how best to proof your property. For example, we can use grills to cover air bricks that mice can’t chew through and rodent-proof fillers. We’ll also provide advice, recommendation and labour to reduce any outdoor harbourage there might be on your property. For example, we can strim overgrown areas and remove debris. PGM & Son is registered as an Upper Tier waste carrier so we can take away your debris and waste. We’ll also give you some advice on things you can do to make sure your pesky pest keeps away – for example, securing bin lids and keeping food sources in rodent-proof containers. If you’ve had a rodent problem, we can clean up the mess for you and make sure the area is sanitised and free from nasty odours. So if you’re a home-owner, landlord, council or business needing pest control proofing works in Herefordshire call PGM & Son for advice and quote. Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or call us on 01981 241334 / 07964 370480 or use the contact us page on the website.

Have you got rats in your Hereford home or business? Then contact PGM today for the most up-to-date and effective pest control solutions. Our qualified technicians are in the field constantly and are ready to come to your home or business within short notice. With PGM Pest Control Herefordshire, we provide 24/7 assistance for all your pest problems. We provide services that are effective & safe for your home or business. We service residential and commercial establishments including hotels, hospitals, schools, restaurants, bars, town councils, museums and many others. We exterminate bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, fleas, spiders, mosquitoes, beetles, moths, rodents, mice, rats & more. Do you have a mouse, rats or rodents in your home or business? These creatures can be a serious nuisance and possible health hazard to humans. A rodent or mice and rats especially can transmit diseases, leave behind bacteria and most of all their fecal droppings that can contaminate food, dishware and other surfaces that you would normally come into contact with. GOT RATS? Contact Phil @ PGM - Your local pest controller on 07964 370480 Let Us Handle Your Rodent Problem You might be tempted to think that you can handle this problem all on your own, and while you might catch a rodent or two with your trap, there is a bigger issue! Rodents can get inside through cracks, holes, or damaged areas of your home. You need to find where they are entering your house and make sure that it is properly sealed. That is where we come in. Not only will we make sure to get rid of all the rodents, but we will also find the trouble spots around your house or business and fix and seal them. You want to make sure that all rodents are gone because they can carry diseases that are transmitted to us. Their fecal matter can also get into your food, dishes, and anywhere else they have burrowed in. Don’t let rodents take over your home or business. Call us today and let us give you a free quote. We’ll make sure that your rodent problem is eliminated and you can get back to your normal life! "Pests are our passion, we follow the CRRU Code of Best Practice" ​ Are you looking for the best and affordable Pest Control Company in Hereford? We provide the most effective pest control treatments to eliminate any pest problem for residential and commercial properties. ​ Our team are trained and certified to protect your home or business from any pest. ​ Wasp Nest Removal | Rat Infestations | Mice | Moles | Carpet Moths | Carpet Beetles | Cockroaches | Birds | Ants | Fleas | Hornets | Bedbugs | Waste Removal and more! PGM was founded by Phil Martin who has extensive experience in his field, having trained under James Ostler former Vice President of the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) and owner of Positive Environmental Hereford, Herefordshire. ​ Fast, friendly, reliable, our professional Pest Control Service is well renowned throughout Herefordshire. Our team is up for every job, managing projects with the skill and experience our clients have come to expect. We always stand behind our work, with customer satisfaction being our #1 priority. If you need a Pest Control Company in Herefordshire urgently call Phil on 07964 370480

We’ve had a number of calls recently enquiring about our bird guano removal and cleaning services. Hereford has a significant pigeon population and pigeons create a lot of mess! This week we’re bringing you a blog explaining why bird mess, and particularly pigeon guano, causes real problems for Herefordshire businesses and what PGM & Son Hereford can do to help. Residential customers experiencing problems with bird droppings will also find this article useful. What is guano? Guano is bird excrement; bird mess, droppings or plain old bird poo! What’s the problem with bird mess? * Birds in general can be a real nuisance in public areas * Bird droppings on floors can cause a hazard to the public * Birds can cause distress to those with bird phobia * Diseases and mites in droppings pose serious health risks because pigeon guano or other bird mess can spread potentially infectious diseases such as salmonella, tuberculosis and ornithosis. * Derelict commercial and residential buildings, roof tops, barns and ledges provide the perfect roosting ground for birds – see our photos for evidence of the mess they can make * Cleaning costs can spiral * Droppings are unsightly and can eat into the stone due to acid content causing long term damage to the structure of buildings * Dead, infected birds can infect water and food sources * Bird can be destructive and disruptive to businesses * Birds can create a lot of mess and damage e.g. to street furniture, roofing and building structures * Birds and bird mess can also compromise businesses during health inspections * Bird mess presents an untidy and unprofessional image * Ventilation systems are vulnerable to damage from bird droppings as ducts can become clogged, resulting in expensive repairs * Bad odours and contaminants can be quickly spread throughout buildings through ventilation systems; inhaling bacteria and fungi can present health risks Can I remove bird nests and bird droppings myself? There are regulations in place to restrict the times of year when bird nests can be removed. For example, it is illegal to remove gulls’ nests once the gull nesting season starts. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a good source of information: https://www.rspb.org.uk/ Businesses must be aware of their legal obligations to their employees and contractors. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance to businesses on controlling the risk to workers on sites: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/hazardous-substances/harmful-micro-organisms/other-diseases.htm PGM & SON strongly advise customers not to clean bird guano (droppings) themselves due to risk of infection / disease. At PGM Pest Control we offer a complete bird guano cleaning services which assures customers and businesses in Hereford of: * Clean and sanitized areas contaminated by bird guano. * Safe removal of bird droppings. * Comprehensive cleaning and disinfection of the affected areas. Call the bird control specialists in if you’ve a problem. PGM & SON Pest Control Hereford Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or call us on 01981 241334 / 07964 370480 or use the contact us page on the website for a free no-obligation quote.