Pest Control birmingham

Lantra Awards Responsible and Effective Control of Commensal Rodents

Posted by & filed under Latest News, Training.

This course approved by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) Training and Certification Working Group is designed to help people plan and carry out rat and mouse control. It is intended to provide a full working knowledge of both preventive and curative methods to be able to plan, implement and monitor a control programme that is appropriate to the situation, assessing and using the most efficient and safe methods and with due regard to the environment.

This course provides an opportunity to gain an industry recognised certificate that will be a requirement for users from 1 June 2016.

It is the responsibility of anyone carrying out rodent control to be familiar with the relevant legislation concerning the humane and effective management of rat and mouse problems. Whilst guidance is given during the course on the main legislation and its relevance to rodent control, it is essential that those engaged in pest control should keep up to date with changes in that may affect pests or pest control.

For more information please download our prospectus here

The one day course is £85.00 plus vat per candidate, to include a buffet lunch and a course certificate.

Held at our Head Office Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton B38 0DX

If interested please email admin@thebustersgroup.co.uk

Pest Busters (Birmingham)

Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 0DX 0121 695 9076 www.pest-busters.co.ukPest Control Services Videos
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Pest proof your home for the New Year

Posted by & filed under Latest News, Pest Control.

The stealth-like ability of pests to invade homes makes pest-proofing a difficult job, and while keeping them out completely would be very tricky a few simple steps will help to keep your home pest free.mouse trap

The New Year is always a good time for a clear out – but it’s also a good time to set things in order. Keeping pests at bay relies on a combination of the two.

So while having a New Year clear-out, also take the time to check your house is not inadvertently attracting pests.

Top tips for a pest-free home

Check bins are in good condition – well fitting lids will stop pests getting in and food spilling out. Make sure there are no cracks or splits and that the general area around bins is well maintained and clean.

Fix leaks – a leaking hosepipe in the garage or a drip under the kitchen or bathroom sink can help to create the kind of conditions that pests such as cockroaches thrive in. Dark, damp areas of the home should be sorted as soon as possible

Check brickwork – Brickwork that is in poor condition is not good for the structure of your home – or for keeping pests out. Any holes or fractures in the fabric of your home could be seen as an invitation to mice rats and other pests.

Ensure doors and windows are sealed – As well as being important to security, doors and windows need to be in good condition to stop flying pests, such as wasps, as well as other pests finding a way into your home.

Tend the compost – Get into the habit of regularly turning the compost to discourage rats from making their home in it. Also check the lid and any other access points are securely covered.

Keep the garden tidy – Piles of clutter close to the house will encourage pests as will overgrown shrubbery. It is especially important to make sure that the area around the bird table is kept clear of debris that will attract rodents scavenging for food.

Simple checks to help pest-proof your home at the start of the year should go a long way to helping keep pests away from your house.

Should you have a problem with pests in your home contact Pest Busters for help.

Pest Busters (Birmingham)

Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 0DX
0121 695 9076
www.pest-busters.co.uk

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Do compost bins attract vermin?

Posted by & filed under Latest News.

Sustainability and waste reduction are more important than ever and having a compost bin is an ideal way to cut the waste you send to landfill – but what should you do if you are worried about vermin?

Rotting food attracts pests – that point is undeniable – and many homeowners worry that adding a compost bin to their garden will open them up to the risk of rats.

With layers of decaying food compost that are usually kept covered, compost bins can be attractive to mice and rats looking for a warm home in the winter.

But that should not put you off composting, after all this is a fantastic, cost-free way to create excellent nutrition for your garden and an earth-friendly way of cutting waste.

How to avoid rats in compost 

A few careful steps will help you to compost food waste with a minimal risk of attracting pests into your garden.

ratThe most important rule is not to put cooked food into the compost, save it for raw fruit and veg. Cooked food will be particularly attractive to rats, which will be able to smell out cooked meat and grains – a more attractive meal than rotting veg.

However, rodents are not particularly picky so even in the absence of cooked foods it is important to make the compost area unattractive to vermin.

While a wet compost heap is supposedly less attractive to rats, leaving a bin open will allow for access so the best solution is to prevent vermin getting access in the first place.

This means making sure the compost bin is very secure. Consider the following:

The position: Try to find a flat surface to put your compost bin on to avoid accidentally creating little access pockets at the bottom where the ground is uneven. It might even be worth putting a couple of concrete slabs down.

Try not to put the compost bin too close to a fence or next to a large garden object that will leave rats unseen but also provide an unfortunate trap  for food to fall into and possibly attract pest vermin.

Check seals: A good fitting lid is essential for a compost bin – this will stop any rats and mice from climbing in and making their home. Make sure the lids fits closely and that it is always in place.

Turn regularly: Good compost requires regularly turning with a fork. The more often you do this the less likely pest rodents are to make your compost bin their home as the movement will hopefully scare them off.

Composting food is important to reducing waste and living responsibly, so don’t let worries about attracting pest vermin put you off. By following a few simple steps you should be able to enjoy excellent garden compost without any unwanted visitors.

Should you experience a problem with pest vermin get in touch with Pest Busters.

Pest Busters (Birmingham)

Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 0DX
0121 695 9076
www.pest-busters.co.uk

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wasps in loft

Why are wasps such a pest in the autumn?

Posted by & filed under Latest News.

The sunshine and alfresco dining of the summer months make us all too aware of the presence of wasps and bees – and the threat of getting stung.

But it is the arrival of autumn that reminds us of when wasps really are at their most annoying. No doubt you will have encountered some of autumn’s ‘dozy’ wasps over the last months as throughout October they crop up in lots of places and are in no hurry to leave.

So what is it that makes wasps such a pest in the autumn months?

Picnic pests

Often described as ‘sleepy’ wasps having worked hard through the summer months the assumption is often that the wasps that lazily hang around are old and tired. The reality is more likely to be that they are hungry.

Busily buzzing backwards and forwards during the summer as they carry out their work the wasps are well fed and busy.

In the autumn all that changes. Worker wasps spend the summer supporting the hive and, in particular, finding food and feeding it to the developing larvae in the hive. The worker wasps find nutrition in a sugary substance produced by the larvae.

When these wasps mature and leave the nest, worker wasps find themselves out of work and out of a food source. So their attentions turn to whatever sweet food they can find – very often the fizzy drink you are enjoying in your garden or the lolly a child is lingering over on a day out.

Brave and adventurous

The search for food makes the wasps more adventurous and brave, taking them away from the garden where they have previously moved pollen around and devoured aphids.

Naturally, this shift in purpose brings more wasps into close contact with the humans whose food they are attracted to. With this, there is an increased risk of getting stung, especially as our instinct is to swat them away making them feel under threat.

Of course, if you find your home deluged by wasps it could be that you have a problem in that wasps may have chosen to build a hive on your property.

If you are concerned about wasps at your home and in need of a pest control solution get in touch with Pest Busters.

Pest Busters (Birmingham)

Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 0DX
0121 695 9076
www.pest-busters.co.uk

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It’s spider time! What to do about autumn’s unwanted household pests

Posted by & filed under Latest News, Pest Control.

The beginning of autumn is a fantastic time to enjoying snuggling up inside – unfortunately, spiders have the same idea, which makes this time of year peak spider-spotting territory.

spider

A recent survey, which asked people across the country to record the time and date they saw spiders in their house has pinpointed evenings in September and October.

The reasoning to explain this is that the rather scary looking house spider creeps inside to find a companion – and a dry home.

Wet weather is said to encourage even more of the eight-legged household pests indoors as downpours can destroy webs that have been made in garden bushes.

While spiders in the UK are generally harmless, the sight of a large male household spider will give most people a bit of a fright.

What is the best way to keep spiders out of your house?

Tidy up: As with deterring all household pests the first suggestion is to keep your home clean and tidy. Fewer hiding places should mean fewer pests lurking in hidden spots. As always food crumbs are an attraction to household pests, so be scrupulous with cleanliness in the kitchen and at mealtimes.

Block their way: Reducing the number of ways a spider could make its way into your home should be a priority – and will offer protection against other household pests. Seal up cracks, check vents are covered and that door seals and brickwork are in good order.

Do conkers help to deter spiders?

Spiders are said to be repelled by certain strong smells including citrus, garlic and mint. Using these fragrances around the home either in cleaning products or an essential oil spray could help to deter spiders.

A popular remedy, although without any scientific backing, is to put conkers in the corners of rooms. Legend has it that the natural oils will help to repel spiders. Before introducing conkers or essential oils though it is wise to read up on any potential effects these could have on children and pets.

As in deterring all household pests the best approach is a simple one – keep your house clean and minimise external access. This should go a long way to helping keep those spider surprises to a minimum!

Should you experience a problem with household pests contact pest busters for a professional solution.

Pest Busters (Birmingham)

Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 0DX
0121 695 9076
www.pest-busters.co.uk

Does hot weather really attract more rats?

Posted by & filed under Latest News.

While the UK sizzled in this summer’s heatwave there was some speculation that the country would be plagued by rats as a result.

rat

So is that the case? Does hot weather spell rat infestations? Not surprisingly a short spell of hot weather is not suddenly going to lead to a sudden, dramatic surge in the rat population.

The concern more specifically is related to rubbish and the greater incidence of food being thrown away as it goes off more quickly in the heat.

Rats, as it is well documented, are attracted to rubbish because it provides rich pickings for vermin scavenging for food.

As a result of the heat experienced this summer the speed at which food goes off has increased, particularly where fruit and vegetables are concerned.

Shorter shelf life for food encourages rats

So while rats may be having a field day tucking into discarded apples and carrots, which will ultimately strengthen them, they are also having to search for water.

In urban areas where food has become more plentiful it may well be that more accessible water supplies have dried up. So while conditions may be supporting the rat population on one hand they may also be hindering them on the other.

The summer months also traditionally sees rats heading outdoors into outbuildings and barns.

However, there is a suggestion that more rats have remained indoors, perhaps as a result of the heat, prompting reported pest problems to rise.

Rat infestations

Rather than the rat population suddenly increasing in the heat it is more likely that they are staying put to enjoy the spoils of our leftover fruit and vegetables.

If you are concerned about a rat infestation during the hot weather due to extra food rubbish the best course of action is to make sure that all bins close properly and to be extra vigilant when disposing of food.

Also take care to store food securely and keep kitchen areas clean – any food leftovers, stacked crockery and cutlery or dirty water can attract numerous vermin.

For advice on how best to deal with a rat infestation or what to look out for get in touch with the Pest Busters team today.

Pest Busters (Birmingham)

Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 0DX
0121 695 9076
www.pest-busters.co.uk

Why are horse fly bites dangerous?

Posted by & filed under Latest News.

Of all the insects that can cause us to be on high alert for fear of getting bitten the horse fly continually creeps up the scale.

And it’s not without good reason, as many people unfortunate enough to have suffered a horse fly bite can tell you.

What is a horse fly?

Horse flies are large, stout flies that can be found all over the world. They are particularly problematic as the female seeks out blood from larger mammals – this includes humans, but also cows and horses.

It is here that the problem with horse flies becomes abundantly apparent. Flying from animal to human to animal they are brushed away as they suck blood, biting repeatedly and spreading disease.

Are horse fly bites dangerous?

Horse bites are certainly unpleasant – they can very quickly become painful and itchy. Some people can also experience nausea, dizziness and feeling hot.

It is very easy for the bites to become infected due to the nature of horse flies and it is advised to gently wash the area and to try to avoid scratching it and spreading any bacteria.

People can suffer an allergic reaction to horse fly bites manifesting in wheezing, dizziness, swelling and a rash. If you get bitten and suspect the bite has become infected or that you may be suffering an allergic reaction it is important to seek medical advice.

Avoiding horse flies

Unfortunately horse flies are part and parcel of enjoying the summer months and are prevalent near to meadows, areas where horses and cows are kept, and close to open water.

The good news for people who enjoy a few drinks in the garden at the end of the day is that horse flies are not fans of darker conditions and are generally only active in the sunlight.

To avoid being bitten the best advice is to wear long-sleeved light clothing and put in place general fly deterrents around the home such as fly screens on open doors.

For more advice on solutions to deter pest flies contact pest busters.

Pest Busters (Birmingham)

Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 0DX
0121 695 9076
www.pest-busters.co.uk

Flies pose a serious health risk – make sure your kitchen is protected

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They’re everywhere at this time of year – as soon as you open a door to bring a bit of cool air into a stuffy kitchen there shortly follows that familiar buzz. We’re talking about flies of course.

fly

If you run a professional catering establishment flies can be the bane of your life at this time of year. There is little that puts potential café customers off adding a delicious blueberry muffin to go with their coffee than the sight of a fly (or two) climbing all over the display.

Flies manage to get behind refrigerated glass displays, onto tables, and into the kitchen. Moving swiftly it is incredibly difficult to chase a fly out once it has decided to venture indoors.

Why are flies a pest?

Obviously, flies are a part of our natural world and play their part in the ecological system, but when they set up camp in a kitchen or café they become a problem.

Due to the huge amount of bacteria they carry around flies can pose a serious risk to health if they land on food. Landing on anything and everything, flies can pick up dangerous bacteria from faeces, rotten food and rubbish.

They then bring this bacteria with them into your catering establishment – and will transfer this to any food or surfaces they land on.

Diseases that usually affect the stomach are frequently associated with flies including salmonella, E. coli and Shigellosis. Food poisoning is the last thing any business wants to be accused of passing on so it is important to make sure food areas are protected from flies.

What can you do to protect your kitchen from flies?

The best solution to the problem of pest flies is to keep them out in the first place. A number of fly deterrent solutions are available to help keep pest flies at bay.

Fly screens that meet food hygiene standards can be fitted to doors and windows to help keep flies out while electric fly control units and fly papers can be used as an added precaution inside.

An outdoor flytrap or the use of insecticides are other options that businesses may want to explore to target pest flies.

It is also important to keep catering areas clean and tidy – make sure food is covered and cleaned away, bins are secure and that any drainage problems are dealt with.

Whether you run a hotel, restaurant, café or school canteen fly pest solutions are important to maintaining standards.

Get in touch with Pest Busters to find out how we can help.

Pest Busters (Birmingham)

Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 0DX
0121 695 9076
www.pest-busters.co.uk

The sunshine has returned – and so have wasps! Steps to take to avoid being stung

Posted by & filed under Latest News.

wasp pest controlThe warmer weather is finally here and summer is just around the corner but that also means a return of wasps.

These buzzing pests can be a real problem if they make their home near you house or property presenting a threat of being stung.

While wasps are very much a part of nature and part and parcel of the warmer summer months there are some steps you can take to protect your home and family from these summer pests.

What attracts wasps?

As with many household pests discarded food is the biggest problem when it comes to attracting wasps. Sweet food and drink in particular attract wasps in the later months of summer but all food sources can contribute the problem.

To reduce the problem of wasps becoming a pest in your home this summer make sure you clear up after eating picnics in the garden, store rubbish carefully and keep your compost heap covered.

If you grow fruit in your garden take care to pick up fruit that has fallen onto the floor – as this will be particularly attractive to wasps in the later summer months.

Controlling how wasps get into the home is also worth considering, although no-one wants to spend summer with the doors and windows shut. Check for any holes or gaps in the fabric of your house that should not be there and consider using a fly screen to deter all flying insects.

A natural predator

Keeping wasps at bay in the first place is the best way to approach pest control, after all while a pest to humans, wasps serve an important role in nature.

Their aggressive nature, which makes wasps such a concern, is also what makes them an excellent predator that is very efficient at controlling pests that destroy plants and crops. Like bees, wasps also play their part in the pollination process.

Natural deterrents

Although there are obvious benefits to bees and wasps visiting your garden you may want to reduce the frequency of these visits, particularly if you have young children or have an allergy. Covering up and not wearing perfume is a good start to protect yourself from being stung.

There is some evidence that wasps do not like mint, wormwood and lemongrass so planting these could help to keep the number of wasps visiting your garden down.

Avoiding angering wasps in perhaps the most important consideration for families and gardeners as this will stop them releasing the pheromone that acts as a call to arms to other wasps by signalling a threat.

When dealing with wasps the best way forward is not presenting a threat and covering up food sources.

Should you find a wasp’s nest on your property, or believe that you may have one, you will need pest control advice.

Get in touch with pest busters to discuss any concerns you may have about pests in your home.

Pest Busters (Birmingham)

Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 0DX
0121 695 9076
www.pest-busters.co.uk