FAQ
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Answers to Some Common Questions.
We're here to help answer a few questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us if you haven't have your question answered.
How do I know if I have rats or mice?
The most obvious way is to see them, however there will be many other signs generally long before rodents are seen.
Some of these are:
- Droppings, those of rats take the appearance of small dark brown slugs, whereas mice droppings are more like burnt match heads.
- Scratching and gnawing coming from the loft or cavity walls at night.
- Gnawed food containers and bags especially stored dried food, eg rice, pasta, dog and cat food etc.
How do I tell the difference between wasps and bees?
There are many different species of wasps and bees in the UK. The main pest species are Common and German wasps, these have distinctive yellow and black stripes with long slender bodies, most active from late July to September. They tend to have an aggressive nature if disturbed or threatened.
Bees are generally much more docile than wasps. Honey and mortar bees are similar in shape to wasps but their colouring is more light brown and black. Bumble bees are much rounder with a furry appearance.
Bees should only be treated where absolutely necessary.
How do I know if I have bed bugs?
Bed bugs are extremely difficult to see with the naked eye. When not feeding they will hide in any tiny cracks or crevices near the sleeping area. Eg headboards, behind skirting boards or even in the piping of a mattress. The most common symptoms are bites around the neck and shoulders whilst asleep. There may also be blood spots on bed clothes and frequently a very strong sweet odour. An experienced professional pest controller will be needed to carry out a full survey.
If you trap moles in my garden how do I know you have them all?
Our initial survey of your property will determine the size of the problem, we then guarantee to have the area clear of activity for 14 days.
How do I recognise carpet moths?
Carpet moths will be active and lay eggs in rooms with carpets and/or curtains made from natural fibres. It is the larvae that cause damage by eating the fibres. The moths are light brown to silver/grey in colour and up to 10mm long. You may see the pupae around the edge of the room where the carpet meets the wall or under undisturbed furniture. It is not uncommon for them to eat away whole areas of undisturbed carpet.
Can you deal with cluster flies?
Yes, cluster flies tend to be prevalent in Spring and Autumn. We will carry out a survey to agree the best course of action to take.
What Is A Pest Control Management Programme?
What Is A Pest Control Management Programme?
Pest Control Services is proud to offer our commercial customers pest control management programmes tailored to their needs. A pest control management programme is a prearranged combination of services designed to provide ongoing control of one or more pests. We offer three types of programmes that can be custom tailored to each customer:
- Basic – A basic programme provides monthly control and reporting of a single pest. It is a very simple and cost-effective option for customers whose pest control needs are minimal.
- Semi-Inclusive – A semi-inclusive programme includes control for multiple pests. It involves ongoing assessments along with proactive control of frequent and seasonal pests. Semi-inclusive pest control is offered to customers at a fixed rate.
- Fully Inclusive – This programme is a fixed rate management strategy based on proactive pest control. It covers all pests and includes ongoing assessments and full reporting.
Is There A Safe Way To Remove Honey Bees?
Is There A Safe Way To Remove Honey Bees?
The honey bee is a very common insect in the UK and one we hesitate to call a pest. Bees do not normally bother humans when left alone, and they play a vital role in the pollination of various types of plant life. The biggest threat to humans is when a bee swarm converges. Swarming is typically the result of mating during the late spring and early summer.
We are very reluctant in the UK to destroy honey bee nests. In fact, we are working very hard to replenish bee populations after years of decline. When a customer calls us for a bee swarm in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or one of our other service areas, we prefer to sedate the swarm and then relocate it to another area. Sometimes that may include moving a nest as well.
Please do not attempt to deal with a bee swarm using insecticide. Doing so could incite the normally passive insects. Instead, just leave them alone. They will calm down and move along in time. If a bee swarm remains longer than 24 hours, call Pest Control Services. We will come out and remove the swarm for you.
Can Pest Control Services Help with Carpet Beetles?
Can Pest Control Services Help with Carpet Beetles?
At Pest Control Services in Berkshire, we get our fair share of calls regarding carpet beetles during the summer months. The good news is that we can definitely help. Carpet beetles are a fairly common pest in the UK, so we have plenty of experience eradicating them.
We encourage consumers to call us at the first sign of an infestation. It is a lot easier for us to treat carpet beetles when larvae are young. That being said, we have the ability to fully eradicate adult carpet beetles as well. We use a number of different insecticides to accomplish complete termination.
You may have a carpet beetle infestation if you notice large, unexplained holes in your carpets or damage to curtains and other fabrics. This damage can appear as long slits following the weave of the fabric in question. This is because the beetles start in one place and eat along the weave.
When you call Pest Control Services (01635 250 852) for help with carpet beetles, we will respond right away. In most cases, your first treatment will be completed on the same day you call. Our technicians are discrete, courteous, and highly knowledgeable about what they do.
Why Should I Consider Rodent Management?
Why Should I Consider Rodent Management?
Rats and mice are common pests all over the UK. Yet very few people realise the danger associated with an infestation of rats or mice. You should consider a rodent management programme if you notice any signs of rats or mice living on your property.
Rodents are very intelligent creatures that will make themselves at home wherever they find food, water, and a place to make a secure nest. They love residential homes because the resources they need are readily available. Unfortunately, their presence can result in significant damage to your personal property. Rats and mice also carry disease.
Are you comfortable with the prospect of rodents rummaging around your kitchen while you are asleep at night? Would it bother you to know that mice in your loft could be chewing the electrical lines? There are all sorts of problems that rodents can cause when they get inside a house. You do not need those problems.
Pest Control Systems can provide a rodent management programme for your property in Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire and south Oxfordshire. We can devise a customised plan that will ensure your property remains rodent free all year-round. Contact us for details.
What Can I Do about Flies in My Home?
What Can I Do about Flies in My Home?
Certain kinds of insects love the summer months. Flies are among them. If you should find a large volume of flies in your home during the summer, consider calling Pest Control Services for professional help. Flies can be difficult to eradicate if you do not know what you are doing.
It turns out there are about 6,000 different fly species, some of which can carry disease. The ones you have to watch out for the most in the UK are:
• house flies
• blow flies
• stable flies
• flesh flies
• mosquitoes.
Fruit flies and cluster flies can also be a nuisance, but their risk for transmitting disease is significantly lower. Pests Control Services can handle any of the species found in your home.
Some people advocate a number of home remedies based on experience of the problem from the past. While you could argue that some of these remedies work, they tend to only be productive on a small scale. Professional eradication is the best way to thoroughly handle the problem.
To prevent flies, make sure to keep your home clean and free of standing water. Any notice of a large volume of flies is reason call us. Our pest control services cover Berkshire and parts of east Wiltshire, north Hampshire and south Oxfordshire.
What Are the Advantages of Professional Pest Control in Oxfordshire?
What Are the Advantages of Professional Pest Control in Oxfordshire?
Insects, rodents, and other pests are, by their nature, creatures that can be somewhat annoying and dangerous. The difficulty for homeowners and business operators is that pests can cause quite a bit of trouble if they are not controlled. However, controlling them on your own is not as easy as it may sound. That is where professional pest control comes into play.
A company like Pest Control Services offers you complete pest management for your business or home. Consider some of the advantages of using a professional rather than trying to handle pests yourself:
• professionals have the training, tools and knowledge to effectively deal with all kinds of pests
• CRB-cleared technicians are legally allowed to work in restricted environments
• professional control protects you from the risk of potential danger
• companies like Pest Control Services are very budget friendly.
We encourage you to call us for any pest control issues in Oxfordshire. We are a family owned and operated business in Newbury, Berkshire. Pest Control Services can deal with all sorts of common pests through one-off services or complete pest control management programmes for your home or business.
Do You Offer Flea Control?
One of the questions we are often asked in the summertime is whether we offer flea control or not. It turns out that the summer season is also flea season as dogs and cats spend more time outdoors. If you are having a problem with fleas, you will be happy to know that Pest Control Services does offer flea termination.
Fleas are not dangerous in terms of spreading disease. However, that does not stop these little creatures from being incredibly annoying. When they find a host in your cat or dog, they lay their eggs and begin multiplying quickly. Fleas also bite. And that bite can result in terrible itching for both you and your animals.
When you call Pest Control Services, we will dispatch a technician to your home, usually within the same day. What's more, our technician will arrive in an unmarked vehicle and wearing plain clothes. We practise the utmost discretion because we know that even a suggestion of fleas can be bad for your reputation in the neighbourhood.
You will also be pleased with our thorough service. We do the job right the first time because your satisfaction, and our reputation, ultimately depend on it.
What Should I Do about Wasps on My Property?
We field a lot of phone calls regarding wasps during the summer. Unfortunately, many of those calls involve the aftermath of failed attempts by property owners to terminate wasps using retail insecticides. We strongly encourage you not to go down this route. Gaining access to a wasps nest in order to apply such insecticides is very difficult. Moreover, if the insecticide you use is not strong enough to immediately immobilise the insects, you could be overwhelmed by an angry swarm.
The best thing you can do about wasps on your property is to contact the experts here at Pest Control Services. We use professional insecticides strong enough to eliminate wasps on contact. We also have the knowledge necessary to access nests without causing undue excitement.
When Pest Control Services terminates a wasp nest, it is normally a one-application process. Our technicians are fully trained, licensed, and certified to perform safe and effective terminations. We are also CRB certified to work in restricted areas.
What should you do about wasps on your property? You should call us (01635 250 852) rather than trying to handle it yourself. We will respond the same day you call.
What Pest Control Management Services Do You Offer in Berkshire?
Pest Control Services is proud to offer Pest Control Management (PCM) services in Berkshire to commercial and residential customers. What is PCM? It is the systematic control of known pests through planned assessments and regular applications of pest control treatments. In Berkshire, we offer three levels of service:
1. Basic Service – Our basic PCM package is a monthly maintenance programme intended for basic compliance and control. It usually involves only a single pest such as rodents or cockroaches. Customers are also provided with written guidance on regulations and compliance.
2. Semi-Inclusive – A semi-inclusive PCM programme is a bit broader. It involves proactive control of a larger number of pests, usually seasonal in nature. This programme is based on a fixed fee and it includes full reporting and continual compliance assessment.
3. Fully Inclusive – Fully inclusive PCM is a fixed fee, proactive package designed to effectively manage any and all pests throughout the year. It also includes full reporting and compliance assessments.
If you need PCM services in Berkshire, Pest Control Services is here to provide affordable and reliable solutions. We would be happy to set up a programme to meet your needs. You can call us on 01635 250 852 or just use our callback form and we'll call you back at our expense.
How Do I Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
If you find your home infested with bedbugs, you could be in for a long and arduous ordeal trying to get rid of them on your own. Not only are bedbugs incredibly prolific, but they are also very good at concealing themselves. Until every nest in your home is found and dealt with, bedbugs will continue to repopulate and cause trouble.
Your best option for getting rid of bed bugs is to call Pest Control Services. Our service area includes Berkshire and most of south-central England. We will come to your home, provide a complete property assessment, and set up a termination plan to rid your home of these pests.
A typical termination includes multiple insecticide treatments on a per-room basis. Furnishings and fittings will need to be removed; in some cases disposal of bedding, mattresses and other furnishings will be recommended. We will let you know what is required after assessing your property.
Bedbugs are resilient to the point of being able to withstand some insecticides. Therefore, you should not try to treat an infestation on your own. Call a professional service, like Pest Control Services (01635 250 852), with the experience and knowledge to do the job right.
How Does Your Pest Control Management Work?
It is easy to be suspect of pest control management programmes when reading the news. However, never forget, the vast majority of businesses and homes with overwhelming pest problems have not been approached with a proper pest control management (PCM) plan. We can assure you that the PCM programmes we offer in Berkshire, Hampshire and Wiltshire are very effective.
If you are looking for pest control management for your business, Pest Control Services can help. We will come to your location and perform a thorough evaluation before recommending the best programme. We can apply PCM for one or two pests, help you control multiple pests on a seasonal basis, or even provide an all-inclusive service that protects you from virtually any past all year round.
Do not underestimate the value off a quality PCM programme for your business in Wiltshire. As we referenced earlier, you know from news stories how devastating a pest problem can be. It can damage your reputation, chase away your customers, and ultimately do severe damage to the bottom line. Do not let that happen. Instead, contact Pest Control Services so that we can set up a quality pest control management system for your business in east Wiltshire, west Berkshire or north Hampshire.
What Is the Cost-Benefit Ratio of Pest Control and Management?
Business owners constantly have to worry about the cost-benefit ratio of implementing new strategies or support services. When it comes to pest control management (PCM), the cost-benefit ratio is less about cash and more about protecting your business. Simply put, you cannot afford not to control pests. Failing to do so could result in substantial fines and eventual closure.
There are two things to consider regarding PCM: government regulations and consumer perception. Where regulations are concerned, the law requires business owners to maintain a safe environment for both customers and workers. That is not possible to do if pest populations are allowed to continue unfettered. As for customer perception, it is an important factor in the success or failure of any business.
If your company were to make the newspapers because of a pest problem, your reputation among the buying public would be instantly impacted. So much so that your business may never recover.
The cost-to-benefit ratio of PCM should be obvious when you consider the consequences of not controlling pests. If you are looking for a comprehensive PCM programme from a qualified company in south-central England, Pest Control Services can implement one for you.
Do You Offer 24-Hour Service for Businesses?
The daytime hours are not always the most convenient for businesses in need of pest control services. That is why we offer 24-hour service for commercial kitchens, production facilities, and the like. Pest Control Services of Berkshire can send our technicians at whatever time is convenient to your schedule. We are available for one-off services as well as complete pest control management programmes.
During the summertime, your business may be experiencing problems with certain insects such as cockroaches and fruit flies. That is not a problem for Pest Control Services. We use the latest insecticides proven to effectively treat whatever pests you are dealing with. Our technicians are CRB certified as well, meaning that we could work in restricted areas.
Are you having problems with rodents? This is another area in which Pest Control Services can help. Just give us a call to schedule a visit from one of our technicians. We will work out an integrated pest management strategy that will provide maximum protection against rats and mice.
Pest Control Services provides 24-hour service throughout south-central England, including Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, and Berkshire. We are here to help you control pests so that they do not control you.
How Many Treatments Are Required to Eradicate Cockroaches?
We get a lot of great questions from our customers, including how many treatments are required to eradicate cockroaches. Unfortunately, the answers are not always clear-cut. Much of what we do at Pest Control Services depends on the pests we are dealing with and the circumstances surrounding the infestation. Cockroaches are a great example.
One would like to think that a single treatment would eradicate all cockroaches from a customer's property. However, that is rarely the case. The little insects are incredibly prolific. They can also hide in the smallest of spaces where it is difficult to get to them. Generally, it takes multiple treatments to fully eradicate them.
It goes without saying that our job is made easier when we can get started in the early stages of an infestation. That is why we urge customers to call us at the first sign of the insects. Even if you see just one or two, there are probably hundreds more behind them. Moreover, those hundreds can quickly turn into thousands.
Pest Control Services can handle your cockroach problem in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, and Hampshire. Our trained technicians are also certified to work in restricted areas.