Pest Control Basildon

Basildon is one of the largest towns in Essex in terms of population, so as a result it has an extensive range of pubs, restaurants, takeaways, bars and coffee houses to feed the growing number of inhabitants. While an extensive choice of food outlets is of great benefit to those who live in the town, eateries can attract various pests including ants, wasps, rats, mice, pigeons and flour moths.

If you run a restaurant and have a pest problem that needs to be tackled, Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions can help. Our Colchester based team of technicians are on hand to provide pest prevention advice as well as extermination and elimination services to rid buildings of infestations promptly and discreetly. We always go the extra mile for our customers, so if you are worried about the possibility of vermin on your premises, we can provide unmarked vans on request.

At Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions we provide a wide range of pest control services, including contracts for restaurants and other commercial organisations in Essex towns and villages such as Basildon, Braintree, Colchester, Witham, Maldon, Harwich, Clacton-on-Sea, Chelmsford, and Hatfield Peverel.

Pest Control Basildon - Click here to enquire about our competitively priced preventative pest control contracts in the Essex area for the food industry.

About Basildon

A major reason why Basildon is a popular place to settle is that it is just 30 minutes from Central London, so it is within easy commuting distance to the capital. It offers a host of work opportunities, as while the town itself is home to a number of big organisations – such as Selex ES, CNH Tractor Plant and Argos’s regional warehouse – the city of Chelmsford is only 10 miles away.

As a result Basildon has a variety of eating establishments to choose from to cater for the ever expanding population, from European to American, English and Asian restaurants. And, as well as the town centre eateries, Festival Leisure Park is also a popular place to head for to dine, watch films, drink and enjoy leisure activities such as bowling or wakeboarding.

With so much competition in the area, if you are running a food establishment it is vital to keep your reputation intact by complying with kitchen hygiene regulations. Here at Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions, we do all we can to ensure that your business is pest-free as we offer commercial contracts that encompass a variety of services including free site audits and recommendations, free callouts for pests covered, and environmental and risk assessments.

Meanwhile, here are some of the most recent testimonials we have received for appointments in the Basildon area. Whether you require wasp nest removal, need help tackling flies, or want pest control for rats in your area, read on to find out about what our customers have said about us in Basildon.

Pest Control in Basildon

Whether you are a domestic or commercial organisation in Basildon, contacting a reputable pest control organisation such as Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions will bring you the fastest and most effective results. While prevention and proofing is the most effective method of pest control (and we can advise on this), we also provide pest extermination services if necessary.

One of the questions we are asked is whether Basildon Council provides a vermin control service to owners of homes or businesses. The answer is that they only respond to specific problems in certain circumstances, such as if vermin is spotted in a park or other public land. They don’t offer a pest control service to council or private tenants, home owners or businesses.

While it may be tempting to tackle the problem yourself, the best solution is to call on the professionals. Organisations such as Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions will understand the extent of the problem, and use the most effective treatment and control methods.

Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions – Contact us for a thorough and effective vermin control service in the Essex area.

Tackling Birds Nesting Under Your Solar Panels

There’s nothing more relaxing than the sound of birdsong when you are out for a stroll in the countryside…but it’s quite the opposite when you’ve woken up to a dawn chorus coming from your rooftop; even less so when the sound emanates from under your newly installed solar panels.

The number of homes powered by solar power energy has rocketed in the UK and almost doubled in 2014 alone, thanks to a government backed energy saving funding scheme. The scheme means qualifying homeowners can generate free solar energy without paying for their solar panels in advance.

….but like all great schemes, there is a downside.

The increase in solar power in East Anglia has gone hand in hand with the rise in pigeons nesting on rooftops, much to the frustration of property owners. However, there are several ways professional pest control companies such as Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions can tackle the problem.

Why do pigeons nest under solar panels?

Pigeons and other smaller birds nestle under solar panels for two reasons: they like the warmth from the lingering heat in the panels, and they see it as a safe place to shelter, away from predators and close enough to food sources.

Why is it a problem?

This creates a serious problem for homeowners for several reasons:

• Noise – No one likes to be woken up early by a dawn chorus, and as some properties attract a dozen or more pigeons at a time this can prove extremely irritating for home owners.
• Insects – A host of insect types infest nests, which can then invade your home, especially when young pigeons fledge.
• Excrement – A flock of birds on the roof, means an awful lot of bird droppings, which can hold up rainwater on the roof, leading to possible water ingress.
• Danger – The nesting material left under the panels can create a potential fire hazard in the summer months, putting home owners and neighbouring properties at risk. 

Can I tackle this problem myself?

While there are ways that you can tackle this problem yourself, such as attaching a plastic bird of prey to the roof, this method is not always effective so it is likely that the pigeons will continue to be a problem.

Not only this, but bird proofing can be extremely dangerous to install, and unless you have the right safety equipment it is simply not worth the risk. Instead, the best bet is to call on the services of professional pest control companies, such as Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions, who follow the right health and safety procedures and can eradicate the problem in the quickest, most environmentally-friendly way.

What can be done?

The problem of birds nesting under or between solar panels can be resolved in two main ways. We can clip wire mesh to the outer edge of your panels which acts as barrier to keep the pigeons out, or we can place spikes along the edge of the panels which not only creates an impenetrable barrier, but also prevents pigeons nesting as it no longer gives them a comfortable place to settle.

Does any  preparation need to be done first?

A few things need to be done before the panels are pigeon-proofed to ensure an effective solution. The first step is to remove all the birds from under the solar panels first, as well as any dead pigeons and nesting materials.

If relevant, we will also remove bird-droppings from the gutter, and ensure it is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

About Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions

Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions provide a friendly and effective service and have all the relevant health and safety equipment for the safe removal of pigeons. We operate in the Essex, Suffolk, Ipswich, Colchester, Clacton, Harwich, Witham, Sudbury, Stowmarket, Woodbridge and Manningtree areas. Just click on the link above to find out more.

Answers to Ten Common Questions About Wasps

Summer is the season we spend more time outdoors soaking up the sunshine, enjoying long walks, inviting friends round for barbecues, and dining al fresco, either in our own back gardens or at a local public house or restaurant. Although it’s the most popular season in Britain, the endless sunshine and glorious heat has its downside too. Mid-summer also spells the start of the wasp season. So, whether you are enjoying an ice cream at the beach, or tucking into a dessert at a café near you, you may find yourself swatting the wasps away at a rapid rate. 

July and August is Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions’ peak time to tackle wasps in Ipswich and Colchester’s pubs, restaurants, homes, parks, gardens, shops and factories. We provide a prompt wasp nest removal service and can also provide wasp prevention services to homes and local businesses. Meanwhile, if you want some facts and information about these striped pests, here are ten answers to common questions about wasps.

Wasps Ipswich – Click here to arrange expert pest control services in Essex and Suffolk.

What do Wasps Eat?

Wasps don’t have a mouth, instead they have tubes that they use to suck liquids, such as nectar and sugary drinks. They also prey upon a host of insects, including spiders, ants, flies and caterpillars to bring back to the nest for their young to consume. In return, the larvae will regurgitate this food in a sugary form for the adult wasps to ingest.

How Many Species of Wasps Are There?

According to National Geographic, there are around 30,000 species of wasps worldwide. Only the female varieties sting, although most wasp species are fairly passive and don’t sting. It tends to be the brighter, striped varieties (such yellow jackets and European hornets) that sting. 

Where are Wasps’ Most Popular Nesting Places?

The Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions team has found wasps’ nests in all sorts of locations in the Ipswich and Colchester areas. We have found nests in roof spaces, sheds, porches, garages, chimneys and summer houses. Wasps can also nest in trees, on bushes, hedges, in holes in the ground, or on compost heaps.

Why are They Striped?

The non-stinging varieties don’t tend to be striped and, as they are preyed on by other insects, their colours generally blend in with their background to avoid capture. The bright, striped ones are so coloured in order to serve as a warning to possible predators that they are venomous. 

How Harmful Are They to Humans?

Apart from the obvious anxiety that wasps cause when they are buzzing around your picnic table, for a minority of people wasp venom can cause allergic reactions. In the worst case, this can develop into anaphylactic shock – a severe state of shock which can prove fatal. For most people a wasp sting is simply just painful…but, unlike bees, unfortunately a wasp can sting more than once. 

Are there any Insects/Species that Prey on Wasps?

Yes, there are various insects that prey on wasps and these can include spiders, dragonflies and beetles. Other species that eat wasps include birds, such as magpies and starlings, and reptiles, including frogs, toads and lizards.

Can Wasps Build Nests in Homes?

Yes, wasps can and do build nests in homes, such as attics and even bedrooms and wardrobes. In recent years a wasps’ nest discovered on top of a bed in a spare room captured the attention of the nation’s media. 

Can Wasps Damage Buildings?

Yes, wasps strip material such as wooden beams and plasterboard to make the pulp that is used to build their nests. They take the strips of wood back to their young who turn it into a paste, which the adults use to build their nest. As a result, wasps can damage the fabric of a building.

What Can I do to Prevent Wasps?

One way to prevent wasps is to make sure that all rubbish and sticky food is placed in bins with secure lids to stop wasps flying in and out. Wasp traps are another preventative measure. We sell these at Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions and can advise you where to place them. 

How Can I Get Rid of their Nests?

It’s dangerous to tackle a wasp nest yourself. Instead, the safest and most effective way is to contact Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions who have experience in wasp nest removal. We follow tough health and safety guidelines and use all the necessary safety equipment for pest control. One way we remove wasps is through the use of insecticide sprays or dusts, and we also have fibre-glass extension lances to eliminate wasp nests at height.

Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions – Click here for a friendly and effective pest elimination service in Ipswich, Colchester and the surrounding areas.

Facts and Information About Fleas

Fleas are more than just irritating little biting insects; they can cause infection and spread disease. What’s more they breed at an alarming rate. A female flea can lay 500 hundred eggs during her adult lifetime, creating up to 250 potential breeding pairs; so as you can imagine, a flea problem can soon escalate out of control. Fleas are a pest all year round, but last year’s mild winter, followed by a long, hot summer has been said to cause a big rise in fleas bedding down in carpets and soft furnishings. They are extremely hardy creatures too: surviving up to two months without a blood meal and withstanding immense force and impact (up to 100GS). So, if you find your home or business infested with fleas it is best to contact Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions – flea extermination experts in Colchester and Ipswich, for effective pest control.

Colchester and Ipswich Pest Control Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions are experienced in eliminating pests and vermin, including biting insects, so you know you can count on us to eradicate a flea infestation. Just click on the link above to find out more about our services.

Meanwhile, read on to find some facts and information about fleas and how to get rid of these in your home.

Q. I know fleas feast on pets, but do they bite humans too?

A. Yes, they can…as they feast on pets and humans. Even if you don’t have pets it is possible to get fleas in your home. Larvae and eggs can remain dormant in carpets, curtains, clothes, bedding and sofas and adult fleas can live for long periods of time without sucking on blood. Fleas can come from friends or neighbours’ pets, or even from parks or gardens.

Q. How can I tell if I have been bitten by a flea?

A. A flea bite looks small and red and might appear in a line or a cluster. They can appear on folds of skin such as armpits or waist areas, or legs and ankles and get very itchy, although too much scratching can cause a secondary infection. Fleas can consume up to 15 times their body weight in blood and can bite up to 400 times a day, so you may have several bites at a time. So, if you have a flea infestation, it is important to call Colchester and Ipswich pest control experts, Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions.

Q. Can fleas pose a health risk?

A. Yes, some major diseases were caused by fleas. There are hundreds of different types of fleas worldwide, and it was the rat flea that was responsible for spreading the Black Death (also known as the Bubonic Plague) in the Middle Ages. Other diseases from fleas include Murine Typhus (usually passed on by rats), and fleas can also cause allergies.

Q. What conditions do fleas need to breed?

A. They need warm temperatures and a host to thrive, so centrally heated homes create the perfect environment all year round. Contrary to what many people believe, fleas don’t die off in winter; instead they lay dormant.

Q. Can fleas be found in businesses as well as homes?

A. Fleas spend much of their time off the host (pet or human) and infest homes as well as commercial businesses. It is possible to bring them home from a flea infested pub or hotel, or you could move into a new home with an existing flea infestation. The cocoons can survive in an empty home for as long as 12 months.

Q. How will I know I have a flea infestation?

If your pets or you are scratching frequently, you will know you have got a flea infestation. You might also be able to spot these bugs – a scattering of black dirt like specs on the skin of pets is one sign or they can look like tiny brown lines from above. The flea larvae look like small white grubs with a dark centre.

Q. Are fleas easy to get rid of myself?

If your home or business is infested with fleas, it is important to get the problem treated straight away as they breed so quickly. There are over the counter treatments, but they only have limited effectiveness. Vacuuming will help to rid carpets of the eggs and washing pet bedding and sheets in the washing machine will also help control the flea population, as will taking your pets to the vet regularly.

Q. How do I successfully tackle a flea infestation?

While the above precautions can help to prevent flea numbers getting out of hand, if the problem persists or infestation is widespread, the only way to successfully deal with a flea problem is to call in the pest control experts, Ipswich and Colchester. Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions are experienced in pest and flea elimination and use environmentally-friendly products where possible. You would need to leave the property for a few hours until treatment is complete.

Flea Control Colchester and Ipswich –  Click here to contact Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions.