Category Archive: News

1. Early Signs Of The Carpet Beetle

   October 13, 2009 12:34 pm Leave a Comment

   Early detection of the carpet beetle, and knowing where to look will help you minimise the problem of this pesky pest.

   Early detection of the carpet beetle, and knowing where to look will help you minimise the problem of this pesky pest. Often the signs are noticed during the redecoration of a room within your home. Bare patches on the carpet where the furniture has been is often an indication that you have an uninvited guest, along with the presence of rice-like egg cases.

   Adult carpet beetles are about 3mm long and look like mottled brown, grey and cream ladybirds; larvae are about the same length and resemble maggots with brown hairs, hence their nickname woolly bears . As they grow, they moult, so finding cast-off skins is the first sign that you have them.

   Act quickly as they’ll be looking for fabrics such as carpets and clothing in which to lay eggs. As the larvae hatch, they can munch through their surroundings, leaving holes like those made by clothes moths.

   Wide areas may be infested by the carpet beetles , so it’s important to trace the source. Birds’ nests or roadkill are favourite hangouts, so search the loft before you try to eliminate grubs that have moved down the house. Look for damage in airing cupboards, wardrobes and chests, as well as under carpets and rugs .

   You need to launder or dry-clean affected items and vacuum carpets.

   Attack Pest Control are specialists in dealing with these little beasts. Call our technicians today for professional advice and treatment.

2. Bird Flu In Britain Soon

   12:34 pm Leave a Comment

   Bird flu advanced across Europe towards the UK last week. Experts agree that the virus would eventually reach Britain.

   Avian flu advanced across Europe towards the UK last week. Dead birds infected with the H5N1 virus were found in France, Italy, Austria Croatia, Slovenia and Greece, as unusually cold weather in eastern Europe and around the Black Sea drove migrating swans, geese and ducks west.

   There was a serious outbreak in northern Germany, and one confirmed case in France, near Lyon. Poultry sales collapsed across Europe.

   Many EU countries, including France, the Netherlands and Germany, moved all poultry inside to protect them from infection , but Britain’s animal welfare minister Ben Bradshaw said its 20 million free-range chickens would only be ordered inside if the disease was detected here. The ravens at the Tower of London were, however, moved indoors for the first time in history.

   Gamebirds have fallen under suspicion as the potential conduit by which bird flu might enter the UK. After a wild duck near Lyon was found to have died from the H5N1 strain last week the British Government has been urged to ban the purchase of all French gamebird eggs or chicks, including pheasants and partridges.

   As many as half of the 35 million pheasants and partridges that are shot in Britain each year originally come from France. If any were identified as having the disease , a mass slaughter would be inevitable, in the run-up to the start of the autumn shooting season.

   Experts agree that the virus – which has killed millions of birds and more than 90 people since 2003 – would eventually reach Britain. The risks you need to know:

   • H5N1 is not a food-borne virus. Properly cooked meat is safe.
   • Britain faces an airborne assault on two fronts from
     • birds migrating westwards will last until March, when the weather warms up, and birds start migrating back to Siberia
     • waterfowl arriving in Britain from Africa in the spring. Nigeria, where the virus is rife, is a migratory crossroads for birds such as garganey and wood sandpiper that will head north.
   • Humans at present only catch avian flu from close contact with infected birds.

   Although bird flu is a new threat, Attack Pest Control has the expertise and experience to deal with an outbreak. If you have any suspicions of a potential bird flu case, don’t hesitate to contact us, where one of our technicians will offer you advice, information, and services in order to control your problem.

3. Rampaging Slugs

   12:33 pm Leave a Comment

   When a slug finds it’s way into your home, often simple pest control measures are enough to get rid of this pesky pest.

   Although not classified as a pest, slugs can be an ugly addition to any room and are most often found in kitchens, utility rooms, larders, and garages.

   Classed as casual intruders, they usually find their way indoors through cracks and crevices, and thrive in areas where damp conditions are present.

   As a temporary measure, Attack Pest Control recommend using environmentally friendly slug pellets, which will help control your slug pests, at least until the problem can be dealt with in a more permanent way.

   By employing preventative pest control measures such as moving foliage and potted plants away from all door and window frames, and investigating logged water drains and guttering, you can discourage slugs from entering your home in the first place.

   By simply remembering that slugs don’t like dry conditions, you may be able to discourage and remove the presence of slugs yourself without having to call in a pest control technician.

4. Avian Influenza Still A Concern

   12:32 pm Leave a Comment

   According to the Commissioner for Public Health and Consumer Protection, bird flu is now ‘under control in the EU’, but the danger has not vanished even if it no longer tops the headlines.

   Members of the European Union Agriculture Committee at a meeting last week, heard reassuring news on bird flu, which is "under control in the EU", according to the Commissioner for Public Health and Consumer Protection, Markos Kyprianou.

   Mr. Kyprianou said: "The first wave with affected wild animals has been sorted out. The impact on captive animals was minimal". He stressed however, "This does not imply that we can rest on our laurels". The danger had not vanished even if bird flu no longer topped the headlines.

   Decisions had been taken to help the sectors concerned, as consumers’ "rather exaggerated reaction" had led to reduced demand for poultry meat. The situation, he added, was being closely monitored in the EU as well as other parts of the world, such as Indonesia, where cases had recently been confirmed of human infection within a family from the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

   However, the Indonesian cases had so far not caused a change in the level of alert, said Mr. Kyprianou. He agreed that the situation in Romania was of concern for the country itself and also posed a threat to the EU. This was the only case on the European continent of a continuously growing outbreak.

   Romania had asked for help from the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organisation and had not taken up the EU’s offer of assistance. Mr. Kyprianou said the debate on vaccination was still ongoing.

   Financial assistance was earmarked for Africa, where the situation was not as bad as expected and would include training for the authorities. Meanwhile in the UK, Defra is currently reviewing its policy for dealing with the threat of avian influenza during the autumn migratory period.

5. Bird Flu Hits Fife

   12:31 pm Leave a Comment

   A positive case of the deadly strain H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed in Scotland.

   Tests on the swan found at Cellardyke in Fife, Scotland last week have confirmed that the bird did have the deadly strain of H5N1 avian influenza. However, tests on numerous other dead birds from the region have all proved to be negative.

   Reacting to the discovery of a positive bird flu case, the Scottish Executive have set up a 3km Protection Zone around Cellardyke within which the movement of poultry and poultry products is restricted, and a 10km Surveillance Zone where farm and smallholding premises are subject to hightened precautions.

   Following the announcement of the infected swan, the DEFRA helpline has been flooded with thousands of calls regarding dead birds. DEFRA have been asking that you report any occurence of a dead swan, goose or duck, or three or more dead wild or garden birds together in the same place to their helpline: 08459 33 55 77.

   The birds may need to be examined for signs of disease, and DEFRA will advise you on what action you should take. If the dead bird is a single, small garden, or wild bird then you do not need to call the bird flu hotline.

   On confirmation from DEFRA that the dead bird is not considered a risk, you should either leave it alone or dispose of it following some simple hygiene precautions:

   • avoid touching the bird with your bare hands;
   • wear disposible gloves or use a leakproof plastic bag;
   • place the dead bird in a plastic bag, taking care not to contaminate the outside of the bag, and tie it;
   • place this bag into a second plastic bag, tie it and dispose in the household refuse bin;
   • alternatively, the bird can be buried but not in a plastic bag;
   • hands and anything that has been in contact with the bird should be washed thoroughly.

   This routine hygiene procedure is required to protect against any disease which the bird may have, such as salmonella or campylobacter.

   The current threat of bird flu to the UK is low, and it must be stressed that there is no reason for public health concern. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is also urging people to remain calm and to keep the Cellardyke swan case in perspective.

   Avian influenza is a disease of birds and very rarely passes from birds to humans. The virus requires extremely close contact with infected birds or their droppings in order to spread from birds to humans.

   If you have any suspicions of a bird flu case, an Attack Pest Control technician would be happy to offer you advice and information on what to do.

6. Bird Flu Restrictions Lifted

   12:31 pm Leave a Comment

   With no further cases of the H5N1 strain of bird flu found since the swan in Fife, restrictions are gradually being lifted.

   The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) have issued the following statement:

   "With no further cases of high pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) having been found, the Wild Bird Protection Zone in Scotland was lifted on 22 April 2006. The Protection Zone was put in place on 5 April, following confirmation of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in a Whooper swan in Cellardyke harbour. This is 21 days after samples were taken from the wild swan. The Wild Bird Protection Zone now becomes part of the Wild Bird Surveillance Zone."

   Members of the public are being urged to continue to report any findings of dead birds to the DEFRA Helpline: 08459 335577.

   The news of a potential new case of bird flu in Norfolk last week sparked new concerns, however it was quickly downplayed when it was discovered as being the H7 strain of bird flu, which is not highly infectious and only causes a mild disease.

   If you have any suspicions of a bird flu case, an Attack Pest Control technician would be happy to offer you advice and information on what to do.

7. Pigeon Pests

   12:30 pm Leave a Comment

   An integral feature of British towns and cities, feral pigeons have become just as much a problem as their four-legged counterparts.

   Often described as "rats with wings", the feral pigeon has adapted well to living alongside humans, and have become a well-recognised feature in many towns and cities across the country.

   Pigeons have been known to carry diseases such as Salmonella, Chiamdiosis, and Psittacosis, which are passed easily from bird to bird, and on occasion, from bird to human. But the real problem with pigeons, is the mess that they create. Combined pigeon deposits can weigh up to several tons and costs £15m a year to clear up.

   Droppings not only cause buildings to look unsightly, they also contain lime which, over time, can cause long-term damage. The droppings are also attributed to spreading infection.

   As unpopular as the humble pigeon may be, shooting the pest is often frowned upon by the general public. Contraceptives for pigeons have been tried with limited success, and town councils are getting involved to drive the birds away from residential areas to specially built feeding and breeding areas in less sensitive places.

   Whilst Attack Pest Control do not have a policy for killing pigeons, we are specialists in bird proofing, which involves installing pigeon spikes on your property, and thus preventing pigeons from landing and nesting on your building.

8. Rosemary Beetle Enters Charts

   12:29 pm Leave a Comment

   If you have a beetle that is devouring your herb garden, it may well be the Rosemary Beetle.

   According to the Royal Horticultural Society, the Rosemary Beetle was the fourth most asked about garden pest in 2005.

   The beetle, which is spreading rapidly across the south east of England only arrived in this country in the mid-1990s, but it is already causing Britain’s herb gardeners problems.

   A fondness of rosemary and lavender, the Rosemary Beetle is also partial to thyme and sage. Both the adults and the larvae eat the foliage of plants between August and June, while the adults cease feeding during the summer months.

   Outside of the London area, the Rosemary Beetle has established itself in Norfolk and parts of Suffolk. It is thought that warmer temperatures caused by climate change are to blame for the insect’s northward spread.

   If you only have a small garden plot, hand-picking of the beetles and their larvae can control their presence. On larger garden plots, there is no easy option especially if your herbs are to be used for culinary purposes as there are no insecticides available that can be used on rosemary and other herbs that aren’t harmful to humans.

   Gardeners can identify Rosemary Beetles by the metallic green and purple stripes on their wings and thorax. If you think you may have Rosemary Beetles in your garden and require further information on pest control options, don’t hesitate to contact an Attack Pest Control technician who will be happy to offer you advice.

   The complete top ten garden pests by the RHS are:

   1. Slugs and Snails
   2. Lily Beetle
   3. Vine Weevil
   4. Rosemary Beetle
   5. Grey Squirrel
   6. Leatherjackets
   7. Chafer Grubs
   8. Soft Scale
   9. Cushion Scale
   10. Glasshouse Mealybugs

9. Ants Are Main Pest Concern

   12:29 pm Leave a Comment

   Homeowners have revealed that the number one pest concern is the ant.

   As of 2006 there are 9,000 to 10,000 known ant species and researchers believe that there may be more than 20,000 species worldwide. With this fact in mind it is no surprise that 25% of homeowners listed ants as their main pest concern according to research conducted in 2005 by the National Pest Management Association.

   This same study revealed that more than half of all homeowners have had problems with ants – making them the most prevalent pest nationwide.

   Ants are social insects and form highly organised colonies with millions of members, each having a role. Spotting one ant unfortunately signifies that the troops may be somewhere close by. "Ants are one of the most difficult pest to control. As temperatures rise they become more active and can destroy wood, contaminate food and create quite a nuisance for homeowners," said Cindy Mannes, vice president of public affairs for NPMA.

   Homeowners should particularly watch out for Pharaoh’s Ants, which forage widely for food and water often creating many nest sites. Due to their preference for feeding in unhygenic areas, Pharaoh’s Ants also pose a risk to public health.

   Mannes advises, "homeowners should call a pest professional to handle and prevent parades of ants marching through their homes. A pest professional will be able to identify which species of ants are present and can help treat problem areas."

   Attack Pest Control’s Tips for Minimising Invasion by Ants:

   • Keep wood and debris away from exterior siding doors;
   • Keep kitchens clean: seal containers, wipe counters frequently, empty the rubbish religiously, and avoid leaving pet food dishes out for long periods of time;
   • Eliminate sources of moisture or standing water.
   • Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house.
   • Seal up cracks and small openings along bottom of the house.
   • Store sugar, syrup, honey, baked goods, and other sweets in closed containers that have been washed to remove residues from their exterior surfaces.

   If you have an ant pest control problem, contact Attack Pest Control where one of our qualified engineers will be happy to offer you advice and solutions to your problem.

10. Ants Provide Problems For Homeowners

    12:28 pm Leave a Comment

    With ants being the most prolific pest in the UK, homeowners are increasingly turning to pest control professionals to eliminate their ant infestations, rather than rely on over-the-counter remedies.

    If ants only appeared during picnics, perhaps they’d be easier to tolerate. Instead, they can make their way through the tiniest gaps and appear unwelcome in most any area of the home.

    As the number one "nuisance pest" in the UK, garden ants enter homes to find food and water. This means that no matter how a home is constructed, where it’s located or how old it is, it could be invaded by ants.

    This year, as homeowners scurry around to buy traps and over-the-counter remedies, experts are leaning the other way and advising of the newest professional treatment trend.

    We hear from frustrated callers every week who have unsuccessfully tried every do-it-yourself ant control product on the shelf. When you add up the time and money they’ve spent trying to rid their homes of ants, it would have been less expensive and a whole lot easier to call a pest professional to get it done right the first time.

    Effective ant control begins with a professional inspection and treatments using the most technologically advanced products available. Professional insecticides are undetectable, allowing the ants to pass through the treated zone and become carriers, spreading the treatment to other ants they contact.

    A pest professional can apply insecticide to trouble spots inside your home and around your property’s foundations to reach the outdoor nests where the ants live. Most ant species are controlled within a week of application.

    Homeowner mentality is quickly shifting toward this time-efficient, affordable, peace of mind outlook that comes with having a pest professional tackle ant invasions. Today, the sight of a pest management vehicle outside an ant-infested home signifies a determined, intelligent means of detecting and ridding a home of a pest that poses a major threat to homes, apartments and other structures in the area.

    Ants need food and water, and they need a way to gain access to a property. Since they can be very persistent, residents need to be just as persistent by taking some simple steps toward controlling these nuisance pests.

    • Inside, clean up spilled food and beverages, diligently take out the rubbish and rinse out jars and containers before placing them in dustbins and recycling bins.
    • Outside, seal doors and windows, keep rain gutters clean to prevent moisture inside walls and trim trees and shrubs away from the house.

    If you have an ant infestation in your property, give Attack Pest Control a call, and we will be happy to advise you on your pest problem and provide affordable pest control services to eradicate your problem.