Why it’s Vital to Secure Your Bins

Households and businesses collectively produce an incredible 180 million tonnes of rubbish a year in England alone, according to Government statistics. Add to this fact that you are never too far away from a rat – or any pest for that matter – if you don’t secure your bins properly, you put your home or business premises at risk of attracting unwanted visitors such as rodents, seagulls, squirrels, cockroaches and wasps.

Nick Collinson, managing director of Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions, who offer professional pest control services in Colchester, Woodbridge, Felixstowe, Ipswich, Harwich, Braintree and Chelmsford, says incorrect waste disposal can be a huge problem.

Professional Pest Control Services Colchester – Click here to see our full range of pest control solutions in Essex and Suffolk.

“If waste is not put into bins or the bins are overflowing, then rats and gulls can get to the contents,” he said. “Rats need water and a food source, and harbourage too, if they have all three of these, they breed very quickly.

“Rats only have a three week gestation period and they can have eight young at a time. These young mature at 10-12 weeks, so you only have to do the maths and the numbers can escalate very quickly in a year.”

He said incorrect waste disposal included:

• Overflowing bins,
• Rubbish bags left out on the street instead of being secured in plastic bins,
• Unsecured bins,
• Bins with holes in, and 
• Food spillages that haven’t been cleared up, including spillages of grain and cereals in agricultural industries.

A number of pest control callouts in Essex and Suffolk also involve blocks of flats where people are not disposing of their waste properly in the communal bins.

“Problems come about when people sling their rubbish over the bin stores, don’t shut the bins, or leave their rubbish in bags outside the bin stores to avoid unlocking them,” said Mr Collinson.

Food industries, such as restaurants, cafes, pubs and hotels, are another food source for bin pests – and at certain times of the year around half of the company’s commercial pest callouts are to do with improper waste control.

It is thought that the problem has escalated since fortnightly bin collections were introduced in 2005, and if people skip a week and forget to put their waste out, rubbish can soon mount up.

So What’s the Solution?

If you have a rat or bin pest problem, the best thing to do is to call on the experts at Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions. We will carry out a full survey of your premises, provide pest control solutions and offer advice on pest proofing.

In addition to residential pest control, we also offer contract services which include free site audits and recommendations, free callouts and full pest reports at each visit. We will ensure your bin stores are proofed, provide regular inspections and if rats are a problem their food supply can be replaced with rodenticides.

Here are eight common pests that are attracted to unsecured bins:

Rats – Once they spot a food source, such as overflowing bin stores and bags of rubbish being regularly left out the street, rats will harbour as near as possible to it, which can be in a hedge or in a house. They are attracted to waste such as leftover food and can multiply very quickly.

Mice – Like rats, they live where humans do and are attracted by a ready food source such as overflowing bins and spilled food. And, as they can get through gaps as small as 25 mm they can be a real menace. Kitchen hygiene and proper waste disposal is vital to keep these rodents at bay.  

Seagulls – Unsecured bins or bags of rubbish left open are a target for gulls who can raid bins and rip open bin bags, scattering your waste across the street. It is advisable to put household bags out on the day of collection and invest in a lidded bin, if you haven’t been supplied with a wheelie bin.

Ants – As these insects leave a trail of pheromone to identify a food source to other ants, your bins can soon be overrun by these tiny creatures. Clean up waste and empty bins, including household bins, regularly.

Flies/Maggots – Flies are attracted to rubbish if they have access to it; they lay their eggs in the bins, which hatch into maggots. Maggots will take between 10 days to a month to hatch depending on the weather conditions. Restaurants bins containing food waste are particularly affected, so it is advisable to keep bin lids closed and to wrap food before throwing it away.  Regular cleaning of both inside and outside of bins will discourage flies and will also help to prevent them completing their life-cycle.

Cockroaches – These are less of a problem for outside bin stores, because of the temperature, but they are associated with poor hygiene and are attracted to waste and spillages inside homes.

Squirrels – These don’t pose so much of a problem associated with waste disposal as the pests outlined above, but it depends on the food source. Grey squirrels can tear up bin bags and have even been known to chew through plastic food waste bins!

Wasps – Bins and exposed waste can be a magnet for wasps so make sure your rubbish is in a secure bin with a lid and repair any holes in bins.

Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions are experienced in pest control – Click on the link to find out more about our service.

How Big is the Rat Problem in Suffolk and Essex?

Horror stories about giant rats found in homes and riverbeds have plagued the media in recent months. However, rats have been a problem for generations – anywhere that has water and a constant food source will attract rodents which can spread disease and nibble through the fabric of buildings.

Nick Collinson, managing director of Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions, which provides rat control in Suffolk in Essex, said: “There is not really a giant rat problem in Ipswich – you’ll always find the biggest rat someone has ever seen – but we have had some horrendous cases.

“We once had a rat that was poisoned in the sewerage system and came out through a toilet. We have found rats in bedrooms, in kitchens and a rat who chewed through wiring at the back of a dishwasher in a pub.”

On average, around a fifth of calls to Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions are for rat control, and this figure rises to about 30 per cent of callouts in winter. This article looks at which homes and business are most affected and how to tackle a rat problem.

Rat Control Suffolk and Essex – Click here to find out more about our household pest elimination services and pest control contracts for businesses.

Why Rats Invade Homes and Businesses

Rats invade properties when there is a readily available food source, so kitchen waste is a major contributor. Restaurants and food industries, particularly those situated in older buildings, are a prime target for rats, although the problem can affect homes and businesses across the board.

“Rats need daily water, food and harbourage,” said Mr Collinson. “They often get through the bottom of bins, through the bung hole that lets waste water out. They use bin waste, sometimes for months, until the infestation is noticed”. 

Rats live almost anywhere: on river banks, under buildings, and can burrow through drain faults in the sewerage system. From there, they can get into a property from underground and live in the fabric of a building, in walls, under flooring and behind built in units. They are even known to make their way through from one end of a terrace block to another.

Their gestation period is 21 days and a rat can get pregnant while suckling their young; as they can breed seven to eight young at any one time, as you can imagine, the problem can escalate very quickly.

One of the ways to stop this is to be more careful about rubbish disposal and ensure that bags of rubbish are not left out on the street, and bins are shut securely.

Why Rats are a Problem

Here are some of the risks that rats pose to humans:

Fire Risk – Rats will munch their way through almost anything, including through walls, beams and – worse still – wiring, which poses a fire risk.

Hygiene Risk – Rats carry disease, and some of these illness can prove fatal to humans:

• E. Coli – This is a bacteria that can contaminate food like meat and vegetables. It causes symptoms like stomach cramps, sickness and diarrhoea, and in more serious cases it can damage the kidneys.

• Salmonella – This bacterium can be found in uncooked meat and poultry and it can also be passed through the droppings of infected rats. Symptoms include chills, fever, nausea, diarrhoea, headaches and stomach cramps. It can sometimes take months to recover and in rare cases it can be deadly.

• Hantavirus – This is spread from the dust of dried urine from rats and other animals, as well as through saliva and faeces in infected animals. It is often difficult to diagnose as the symptoms are very similar to flu, and include fever and muscle aches. Some strains of the disease can prove fatal.

• Weil's Disease – This is a bacterial infection from rat urine, and the urine from other animals, and is most commonly spread via infected water. The disease has two stages and symptoms in the second stage can be similar to meningitis; in extreme cases it can cause organ failure.

What to Do About a Rat Problem

It’s difficult to tackle a rat problem yourself as they breed so quickly.  At Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions we provide free surveys of residential or business premises and offer service contracts which include constant monitoring of sites at regular service visits.  Our pest control technicians carry out a full inspection at each visit looking for signs of problems.   We offer free surveys of residential or business premises.

Our pest control technicians will advise on housekeeping, proofing and repairs to buildings.  This is especially important before the cold weather sets in and colonies of rats are drawn to the building.  Our ultimate aim is to eliminate the colony using baits and traps.  

We endeavour to get to the root of the problem, including providing drain surveys in which a camera probe is used to find faults or openings in the drain where the rats are coming through.

For more information on Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions and to find out about our contract services, click here

Don't Get Stung By Rogue Traders

Experts warn ‘Don’t get stung by rogue traders’

Homeowners searching for help to get rid of wasps nests this summer are being urged to avoid a costly sting in the tail.  Industry experts say reports of unqualified pest controllers charging hefty prices for jobs often left half-finished are all too common.  They are warning householders to tread carefully and say only by using professional technicians can residents be sure nests are properly removed for a fee that represents value for money.

“We’ve heard a number of reports of people having to pay way over the odds to have a wasps nest dealt with.  But if people entrust their pest control to unqualified part-timers or rogue traders, they’re leaving themselves open to problems like that.  By using technicians who are experts in their field they can be certain the job will be done properly and they won’t have to pay through the nose.”

Wasps begin building a new nest in spring and can expand their numbers to a peak of around 2000 by late August, so it’s best to remove it earlier in the summer when the colony is smaller and the wasps are less aggressive.  But it’s a job that should always be left to the professionals.

“Wasps feel threatened and are likely to become aggressive if their nest is tampered with, so householders attempting their own removal are dicing with danger.  A mature nest can contain thousands of wasps so it’s really not worth the risk.  A professional technician will provide an effective solution that keeps everyone safe, so I’d advise anyone who finds a nest to call in the experts.”

Fully trained and NPTA accredited professionals are obliged to stay up to date with the latest products, techniques and legislation.  They will give the best advice as well as safe, effective and legal treatment to destroy wasps nests and every other pest infestation.

Pest Control Ipswich - Click here to view our main website

Pest Control Felixstowe - Are Wasps on the Rise and Why?

If you hear the sound of buzzing and see a striped insect flying in the direction of you and your lunch, this can really get the adrenalin pumping and, in some cases, can have you running very fast in the opposite direction. For those that fear wasps, the bad news is that the warmer weather we have experienced over the last few months may mean another rise in the number of these pests this year.

Nick Collinson, managing director of Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions, who provides pest control in the Felixstowe, Ipswich, Woodbridge, Colchester, Manningtree and Braintree areas, said: “The number of callouts to tackle wasps varies wildly each year, and is weather related.” If it is a wet and windy spring, for example, this can affect the number of wasps and delay the development of colonies through to autumn.

“It is too early to tell at the moment whether there will be a rise in the number of wasps this year but if it is an early spring, as it has been, the queens come out of hibernation earlier.  So, depending on the weather, we can expect a large number of wasp related callouts.”

Pest Control Felixstowe - Contact us today for a friendly and effective pest control service in Suffolk and Essex.

Wasps hit the headlines in late August last year as pest control experts nationwide noticed a sharp rise in the number of these pests. After coming out of hibernation over the long winter, the late summer provided plenty of food.

These pests can build nests in homes, businesses, and even out in the open countryside in fields, banks, trees, bushes and in abandoned underground burrows. And, with the right habitat, and abundant food, it is estimated that there can be as many as 1,000 wasp nests per square mile.

Wasps also present a risk in urban areas where they build nests in gardens and porch ways and also at height – close to windows and in the roof voids of properties. This is not only a nuisance, it can also be very frightening for the occupants – especially the more vulnerable such as the elderly and the young – and it puts them at risk of being stung.

Mr Collinson said: “If wasps nest under tiles they can eat through the plasterboard ceilings and fly into the bedroom, which can be quite harrowing, especially as you can get thousands of wasps in a nest.” The average is 2,000 to 5,000 wasps per colony, but it is possible to get up to 20,000 in a nest.

Wasp Removal: Suffolk and Essex

Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions are one of the few pest control experts in the Felixstowe, Suffolk and Essex areas who have specialised equipment to tackle wasps at height. They have 8 metre fibreglass extension lances, which can blow dust up into the nest to kill off the wasps over a 24 hour period.

Other methods to tackle wasps include spray treatments, which are used when the wasps pose an immediate risk to people and the nest requires urgent removal (near schools or parkland for instance). Staff at Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions follow stringent health and safety guidelines for wasp removal, including the use of bee suits, veils and face masks, to prevent  contact with the pesticide.

Wasp traps are another method of tackling these pests and are a popular buy for people in the hospitality industry, such as pub, bar, cafe, restaurant or hotel owners. Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions not only sell wasp traps, but will also provide recommendations on the most effective places to site them.

Facts About Wasps

Only the female wasps sting, which they do using a tube which is connected to a sac which pumps venom into the victim. Unlike bees, one wasp can sting their victim several times. Wasps can also secrete distress chemicals when attacked to attract help from other wasps.

What Role do Wasps Play in the Ecosystem?

Although feared by many people, wasps do play a vital role in the ecosystem and are a food source for some common garden creatures such as hedgehogs, and birds, including house wrens and bluebirds. Wasps also seek out grubs and insects such as caterpillars, mosquitoes, houseflies, and greenflies, and they can steal from spider’s webs to feed their young.

Sky News Recently Featured an Article on the Asian Hornet making its way to the UK – Is it Likely to Pose a Significant Threat?

The Sky News article back in May revealed that the insect had been sighted in France and could make its way over the Channel to the UK.

However, Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions haven’t had any callouts in relation to this type of pest in Felixstowe and Suffolk and, on average, only get 2 - 3 callouts a year to tackle hornets’ nests – but get hundreds of calls for wasps.

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was quoted in the article as saying that it was likely the cold weather would prevent these insects from living successfully outside of the most southern parts of the UK.

For pest control in the Felixstowe, Suffolk and Essex areas, contact the experts by clicking on the link below.

Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions - click here to find out about our effective pest control services.

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The Annoying Buzz of Summer

Living With Bees

Your pest controller has advised you that the insects you have living in your property are bees.  They are therefore important and useful for the pollination of a large variety of plants, so should be preserved if at all possible.  Many species are either harmless or are very unaggressive, so it may be possible to live alongside them without fear.  Your pest controller will be able to advise you accordingly.  If possible, please live with the bees in your property.

However, from time to time bees can become a nuisance or even a danger to humans, so may need to be destroyed.  This is perfectly legal as no bees are protected by Law, but how they are dealt with is affected by a number of legal constraints, particularly if they are Honey Bees.

Honey Bees will have come from a nearby hive and anything done to your bees could affect other, innocent, hives.  Everyone, including you and your pest controller must by Law take every reasonable effort to prevent these other hives being affected by what is done to your unwanted bees.  This, unfortunately, may have significant cost implications.

Preventing Access to Your Treated Bees Nest

Bees can be controlled, but it may be difficult and therefore costly to take all the necessary measures to protect other bees from the control treatment carried out.  It will be necessary to seal up the nest entrance and to do this safely may require specialist access equipment.

Removing Treated Honey Combs

It is strongly advised that the honey combs made by your Honey Bees be removed as the honey they contain will eventually leak out and could cause significant damage to your property.  However, depending on where they are, this work may involve a builder or roofer to get to them and to make good your property afterwards.

These honey combs will also be contaminated with insecticide so must, by Law, be disposed of by incineration using a Licensed Waste Contractor.  Your pest controller may be able to arrange for this extra work to be done, but this will inevitably lead to additional costs.

Code of Practice

Your pest controller will be working within the constraints of a ‘Code of Practice Relating to the Control of Feral Honey Bees’.  If you would like to see a copy of this, contact the National Pest Technician’s Association on 01773 717716. 

We apologise for having to bring you this unwelcome news, but we all have a responsibility to protect these important creatures wherever we can.  Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.

Pest Control Ipswich - Click here to view our main website


Honey Bee:

 

Bumble Bee:

Everything You Need to Know About Clothes Moths

Do you have clothes moths multiplying in your wardrobe? If you do, it is vital to call on the services of Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions - the pest control experts of Colchester, Chelmsford, Witham, Braintree, Manningtree, Ipswich, Stowmarket and Felixstowe – before your moth problem spirals out of control.

We all cherish the clothes in our wardrobe, so it can be hugely upsetting to find moths have munched their way through some of our much-loved outfits and accessories. Clothes moths not only feed on wool fibres, but also on silks, cottons, linens, furs and rayons (usually blended with wool). In the worst cases they can cause hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds worth of damage. And, it’s not just clothes that are the target of these pests – clothes moths can also attack carpets, rugs, curtains and upholstery.

There is no doubt about it, it is devastating to put on a favourite jumper, T-shirt, suit, trousers, dress, skirt or scarf to find that clothes moths have feasted on the fabric, creating holes in the most obvious of places. Unfortunately, it isn’t the cheapest fabrics they go for. Moths have expensive taste and your favourite woollens, cashmere, silks and vintage clothing are, sadly, generally the ones that fall victim.

Once you have moths in your home, they can be very difficult to get rid of. While it is possible to repair some moth holes (by taking them to an experienced clothes menders), more damaged items, particularly woollens, can be impossible to mend. And if items have to be thrown away or replaced, this can prove extremely costly.

So, if you are worried about clothes moths, for complete peace of mind it is vital to call in the experts.  Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions are the pest control experts of Colchester and Ipswich and will help rid our home of clothes moths, their eggs and larvae. And, as an untreated clothes moth problem can prove expensive, we offer a cost effective solution, which could save you valuable money in the long run.

Pest Control Colchester – contact us now for effective pest solutions.

What do clothes moths look like?

Clothes moths are quite distinct from common swift moths or other types of UK moths which have different characteristics.

The most common types of clothes moths are the webbing clothes moth and the casemaking clothes moth, which are similar in size. The webbing moth is gold in colour and the casemaking moth is browner, with dark coloured spots on the wings; both have hairs on the top of their head.

The larvae of the casemaking clothes moth carry with them a silken case, which takes on the same colour as the clothes they have eaten. The webbing moth leaves patches of silk webbing, like cobwebs, and produce excrement which contain dye from the clothes they have been feeding on, making them hard to spot.

What environments do they like best?

Contrary to popular belief, and unlike other moths, such as the common swift moth, clothes moths are not attracted to the light. So they fester in folds, collars and cuffs of clothing; under furniture and between upholstery; in the dark crevices and corners of wardrobes, and in attics and cellars.

As these species are attracted to undisturbed places, it is often difficult to discover a clothes moth infestation until it is too late. One solution is to check your clothes regularly, including the ones that you have put away in storage, so you can take action at the earliest opportunity.

Do adult moths eat clothes and fabric?

No, it is not the adult clothes moths that are the offenders, but the moth larvae which are responsible for the destruction of clothes and fabric – and, depending on the conditions, they can stay in this state for a year.

How quickly can they multiply?

Although adult moths have a relatively short life-span of up to three weeks, the female moths of both species can lay up to 100 eggs in this time. These only take a few days to hatch, after which the larvae to start to feed.

Are all fabrics at risk?

Natural and blended fibres are most at risk, as moths tend to avoid fabrics, carpets and upholstery made entirely of synthetic fibres. Moths generally avoid synthetics, unless the fabric has lots of sweat, saliva or food stains. Keeping your clothes clean with regular dry cleaning or laundering will help deter moths.

Are they a pest all year round?

Yes, clothes moths are a persistent pest all year round, and this is partly down to central heating and milder winters.

Is it possible to get rid of them yourself?

There are all sorts of moth deterrents on the market, including chemical and natural varieties such as lavender bags and cedar balls, although there are limits to how effective these can be.

Regularly laundering your clothes and vacuuming in the crevices of wardrobes, under beds and along skirting boards can help. As can storing your woollens in the freezer over winter, hanging them outside when it is frosty, and keeping them in sealed plastic bags.

Other home solutions include moth traps, sprays, ultra violet light bulbs and moth strips. However, if you have a persistent problem, it is vital to call in the experts.

How Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions can help

If you are worried about moths in your home, call your friendly local pest control experts of Colchester and Ipswich – Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions – who will carry out a full survey to discover the source of the infestation and will treat the problem to prevent further costly damage.

We use the most environmentally friendly products and ask householders to vacate the property both during treatment, and for a couple of hours after it, to allow our insecticide sprays to dry.

Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions – Contact us now to address the problem of clothes moths at your home or business.

Facts and Information about Bed Bugs

Do you have bed bugs in your home, hotel, guest house, hostel or B&B? For urgent pest control in the Manningtree and Ipswich areas, call on the services of Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions – or you could end up with a major problem on your hands.

Bed bugs feed on the blood of humans and their bites can cause adverse reactions such as allergies, rashes and psychological distress. Bed bug bites could damage the reputation of your establishment and your company may end up being ‘named and shamed’ with a bad review. So if you have bed bugs, it is vital to call Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions immediately, as we are experienced in this field and can rid your establishment of these persistent pests.

Whether you require pest control in the Manningtree and Ipswich areas, or further afield in Suffolk and Essex, we are the people to contact. We provide a friendly, local service at very competitive prices and, in addition to this, we can guarantee our work so you can rely on us for our service.

Pest Control Manningtree – Contact us now for fast and effective pest control services in Essex, and all areas of Suffolk.

Where are you most likely to find bed bugs?

Bed bugs are most associated with hotels, bed and breakfasts, and guest houses. However, they can also be found in privately owned homes, rented establishments, hospitals, residential homes, student accommodation and hostels, including homeless shelters. Not only can they be found in the creases and folds of mattresses and sofas, but in some cases, even on walls and furniture.

Are bed bugs on the rise and why?

Before DDT was banned in the UK in 1984, bed bugs were almost eradicated from homes in the western world. However, unfortunately the population has escalated dramatically in the last two decades. This is for several reasons but one of the main ones is international travel, as bed bugs can get to and from buildings on people, clothing and in bags and suitcases. A second is the rise in popularity of second hand furniture and other items, which again can transfer bed bugs from one place to another if they have come from a place that is already infested. Another is that these pests are becoming more resistant to popularly used insecticides, which now makes them harder to get rid of.

How long do they live?

The life span of a bed bug varies according to temperatures and how often they feed, but they can live many weeks, or even months. During their lifetime, a female can lay up to 500 eggs.

Can you get rid of them yourself?

Keeping premises clean and well vacuumed, including regular hot washing and tumble drying of fabrics, is a good way to keep the bed bug population down. Wrapping mattresses also helps.

However, bed bugs are hard to get rid of and tend to be resistant to over-the-counter pesticides.

So, for effective pest control in Manningtree, Ipswich, Colchester and Stowmarket, it is always best to call Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions who can eliminate the problem so you and your guests can sleep easy.

How do Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions tackle bed bugs?

Our first step is to complete a thorough review of the premises to check how extensive the problem is.

Carpets, bedding, clothing and infested furniture are thoroughly cleaned and washed and an insecticide applied. Up to three treatments, once a fortnight, are recommended to eradicate these pests.

Nine things to know about bed bugs:

• These creatures are generally nocturnal, so humans won’t notice when they are feeding.

• Bed bugs, their faeces and their sticky eggs can be found in their hundreds, or even thousands on furniture and upholstery of infested property.

• Once they have fed on human blood, they can return to their host for another feeding by following a chemical trail.

• They have a distinctive odour which has been likened to rotting fruit.

• Their droppings, if wetted, look a bit like blood smears on fabric.

• They feed every five to ten days.

• Female bed bugs can lay up to five eggs a day.

• Bed bugs can be eaten by cockroaches, ants and spiders.

• They are a problem not just in the UK, but all over the world.

For prompt and discreet pest control in the Ipswich and Manningtree areas, click on the link below.

Pest Control Manningtree – Contact us now to tackle the problem of bed bugs at your home or business.

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