Cluster Flies

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 cluster flies   facts and problems

 

What’s a cluster fly, you might ask? It’s easy to lump all flies into the same category, but the easiest way to identify a cluster fly is if he’s brought his mates along with him! The name cluster fly literally refers to the fact that these particular flies are often found in large numbers, or clusters. If you have a garden with a compost heap, you might have seen a cluster of them in the vicinity at some point during the spring or summer months.

 

Manchester Pest Control is pleased to confirm that cluster flies are not known to carry any diseases, unlike the common house fly which has been found to harbour harmful bacteria that it secretes on the food and surfaces it lands upon.

 

So why are cluster flies a problem?

 

Cluster flies aren’t generally a problem all-year round, but they can be a nuisance when it gets to autumn and they start looking for somewhere to hibernate. Until then, they’re happy to spend the summer months outdoors living off a diet of earthworms, but when the temperature gets cooler, they start to look around for somewhere warm to sleep for the winter. You can probably imagine where they end up, or maybe you’re reading this blog now because your home has been targeted by them.

 

Although these flies are not a sign of an untidy home, nor are they disease spreaders, it’s understandable that local home owners in Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire don’t want to share their living space with large numbers of them! It doesn’t take much for them to enter a home, whether it’s through an open door or window, or by more covert means: around the edges of a window frame or skylight, or the eaves of your house if your home has suffered wear-and-tear from the elements.

 

If a cluster fly finds its way in on its own, there’s every chance more will follow. Each fly transmits a scent, or pheromone, which attracts others to follow. If a large number of cluster flies find their way into your home, the combined smell of the pheromones they give off can be very potent – you might have noticed a sweet and sickly odour but not realised what it was. The flies will hibernate over the winter in locations such as your loft, or may remain within and around window frames themselves.

 

It’s therefore possible you might not notice or be bothered by them immediately. Maybe you’ll find yourself swatting away one or two every now and then and wonder whether they’re coming from. But by the spring the rest of the cluster will once more emerge and getting them out of your home might prove difficult. Also, once cluster flies have visited a property on one occasion, they have an annoying habit of returning. The best solution is to fully exterminate them in order to significantly lower the chances of this happening.

 

How do you get rid of cluster flies?

 

As with most unwanted home invaders, once they’re in, cluster flies can be very difficult to get rid of. This is particularly the case if you’re planning on trying to dispose of them yourself. First of all, you have to know where they are hibernating, although once they are inside a property, they may choose a number of hibernation sites around the house. It’s easy enough to insect-spray a cluster fly that’s visible to you, but there could be many others tucked away in cracks, crevasses and hard-to-reach places.

 

Loft space is a popular location for cluster flies to hibernate in, and they can be difficult to remove if the inside of your roof is cramped or not easily accessible by people. Pumping large quantities of insecticide through your roof hatch is a bit of a lottery as it may still not get rid of all of them, and as we’re always pointing out for the public’s own good on this blog, be very wary of the quantities and any combinations of insecticides you might be using as this could be more detrimental to your own health than that of the cluster flies.

 

Manchester Pest Control are specialists in the removal of many varieties of pests that invade people’s homes. Where cluster flies are concerned, we know their habits, their life cycles, and the locations which they favour for their hibernation. We have the right tools and we know the appropriate solutions that will target the problem. Homeowners in Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire: please feel welcome to give us a call, and we’ll get to work as soon as possible to ensure your peace and comfort.

Biohazard Solutions

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Swift and effective biohazard solutions

 

If you run a business in Manchester, Stockport or Cheshire, you may already be aware of your obligations in line with such legislation as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Act (2002), and more generally, the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974). Both of these Acts outline the legal responsibilities that businesses must abide by to maintain a safe and healthy working environment for all members of staff and onsite visitors. Biohazards represent a number of the dangers covered under these Acts.

 

What is a biohazard?

 

The term ‘biohazard’ covers a range of substances that can be harmful to humans and animals if touched, inhaled, ingested, or absorbed into the blood stream. Although some biohazards may be created under laboratory conditions, the more commonly known biohazards are human and animal waste (e.g. faeces, urine, blood, vomit). Direct contact with these substances is not only highly unpleasant but can carry the risk of picking up a viral infection as severe as HIV or one of the Hepatitis variants.

 

At Manchester Pest Control, we feel it’s our duty to stress that in many instances the risk of such infection is low. However, it would be very dangerous to ignore the possibility altogether. If there are viral agents present in a biohazard when a person or animal comes into contact with it, a number of factors come into play: the type and level of exposure are particularly important, e.g. a pinprick from a hypodermic needle will carry far greater risks than brief contact with a fluid spill. Surely it’s best to minimise those risks completely?

 

Whatever the nature of the biohazard or the likely risk of infection, it is essential that the affected work area is hygienically cleansed at the most immediate opportunity. Any business that knowingly permits biohazards to remain unchecked, or takes shortcuts in dealing with them, is putting itself at risk of prosecution by the law, and showing complete disregard for the safety of its staff.

 

Employer responsibility

 

Every business needs to have an up-to-date Health and Safety Plan, and all members of staff should be encouraged to read it. There must be a section on biohazards: what they are, how to report them, and how the business will deal with them to ensure there is no ongoing risk of contamination. A detailed record should be kept of all such incidents as and when they occur.

 

Do not leave anything to chance. What the eyes don’t see is just as important as what is visible to them. If the affected area is only given a quick, superficial clean, then traces of the biohazard will very likely remain. This means there is still a risk of viral infection. It Is also essential that the biohazard materials are properly disposed of – not put in an unmarked bag that someone might accidentally touch, open or spill without knowing what is in it. It should not be stored and disposed of in the same way as ordinary rubbish.

 

There are so many factors to consider, wouldn’t it be better if the matter could be taken off your hands and you could be certain of it being dealt with in the most effective and discrete way possible? At Manchester Pest Control, we are experienced in dealing with biohazard removal – we know all about fluid dispersal patterns and take a thorough approach to target the full extent of the problem. With our services, you can be assured a complete biohazard decontamination has taken place.

 

Businesses in Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire: call Manchester Pest Control for swift, effective biohazard cleanup and removal.

Manchester Pest Management

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Integrated structural pest management – a brief introduction

 

We’ll try not to get too techie with you here, but we thought it might be useful to explain some of the principles that underpin Manchester Pest Control’s approach to pest control management. These principles are very important to us on both a reputational and a personal level. We believe in getting the job done in the most economic, socially responsible and environmentally friendly manner possible.

 

Effective diagnosis

 

If someone calls us up to deal with a bed bug problem, it would be costly and negligent to just spray insecticide all over the place without any thought for the welfare of the people and domestic animals who live there. The first step we always take is to accurately diagnose the nature and extent of the problem. Sometimes it might not be as bad as our client first thought. You might think your home is infested, but if you called us soon enough, the pests might only be located in certain parts of the property.

 

Accurate diagnosis requires an in-depth knowledge of the life-cycles and the habits of the many types of pest that invade homes in Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire. Once we can confirm what sort of pest we are dealing with and how widely dispersed they are, we’ll pick the right tools for the job, and we’ll advise you on what we are doing and why. We think it’s important that people understand why we are taking a certain course of action, as understanding helps to minimise any risks further.

 

Any pest control company that ignores the financial and health costs of its customers in favour of a quick but costly solution has only its own interests at heart. Manchester Pest Control will respect you, your home and belongings. We also believe it’s important to be respectful to the environment on behalf of our generation and those still to come.

 

Protecting the environment

 

Just as we won’t use unsafe quantities of insecticide inside your home or business, we are equally careful when dealing with problems outside of your property. If a pest control firm were to use the wrong sort of pesticides, or far too much of the right sort, the result could be disastrous. The chemicals could pollute the ground, the air, or water supplies. This could be extremely harmful to human life, to animals (livestock, garden birds, protected species), and damaging to the local and global environment for years to come.

 

At Manchester Pest Control, we are mindful of UK government and wider European policies and regulations which dictate the safe use of pest control methods. We endeavour wherever possible to purchase environmentally-friendly products which are known to work specifically on the types of pest we deal with. We will use low-volume sprays, targeted in the right areas rather than used indiscriminately. We are committed to disposing of captured rats, squirrels and other pests in a safe and humane manner.

 

To sum up: we don’t go in ‘all guns blazing’. You wouldn’t use a machine gun to get the fleas off your cat. We won’t use a ten ton nuke in your garden, business place or living room. Manchester Pest Control are 100% committed  to maintaining a safe environment for all our clients throughout Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire.

Needle Sweep

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Needle Removal Manchester –  needle sweep and collection solutions

Did you know that Manchester Pest Control provides a safe and efficient needle sweep service to homes and businesses in Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire? That’s right, Needle Sweep Manchester is a subsidiary arm of our pest control business – because we realised over the years that in some (though we should emphasise, not all) of the places where we encounter vermin, there is often a variety of discarded waste in the vicinity. It’s likely that this is what attracted the unwelcome pests in the first place.

 

And in amongst some of that waste, we have observed an alarming range of used drug-taking equipment…

 

We’re talking about the kind of medical paraphernalia that gets used once or a limited number of times before losing its keenness and being discarded: sharps, needlesticks, hypodermic syringes – all are associated with both legal (diabetes, self-managed drug program) and illegal (heroin and other opiates) drug-taking activities. There may also be razor blades, scalpels and knives lying about which are used in the preparation of certain drug compounds before use. If they’ve been placed loosely inside a bin liner (definitely NOT the correct method of disposal), they can end up sticking through or falling free on the ground.

 

Many of these items have the potential to cut or puncture the skin of adults, children and pets who come across them by accident. The dangers are evident, given the risk of exposure to blood traces potentially infected with pathogens as severe as Hepatitis and HIV. There are serious health implications that any infected individual may have to face up to in the short-term and for the rest of their life.

 

Town Councils in particular are mindful of their duty to protect members of the public who may encounter carelessly discarded hypodermics and other drug-taking equipment. Chaotic drug users may be so focused on getting their next high that they don’t even think about the consequences of discarding used needlesticks in parks, playgrounds, public toilets, or any secluded place where they can shoot up without much risk of being disturbed. This unfortunately may mean footpaths and alleys adjoining your home or business, or rooms within vacant premises that might have been broken into or end of tenancy properties.

 

If you find sharps, razor blades or any other medical waste in the area of your home or business, do not go any nearer than you have to – just the slightest pinprick or scratch can spread an infection to your central nervous system. It really isn’t worth the risk. Instead contact us here at Manchester Pest Control so that we can activate our safe and effective needle sweep service. Our people have the equipment and the know-how, and will operate to the latest UK Health and Safety requirements and in line with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.

 

Needle Sweep Manchester is a professional service available to , landlords and management agents acting on their behalf throughout Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire. We can also provide needle sweeps of affected business properties, educational establishments, public service providers, and private facilities at which drug users are provided sheltered accommodation or ongoing counselling support and treatment.

 

Needle Sweep Manchester, in association with Manchester Pest Control – keeping the public safe from injury and infection.

Do It yourself -VS- Professional Treatment

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DIY pest control – a disaster waiting to happen?

At Manchester Pest Control we know how easy it is, that temptation to cut costs by fixing a problem yourself. Or perhaps you used a professional in the past (in pest control or some other area) and things didn’t work out – you didn’t get the service you wanted or it cost you a lot more than you bargained for. And it’s so easy to just walk into a shop nowadays and be able to choose from a range of off-the-shelf products that might well cost a fifth of what you’d pay a pest control business to do the work. So why not DIY, you may ask yourself? Here’s why…

Knowing the pitfalls

Regular readers of the Manchester Pest Control blog will already have an idea of some of the problems that face home or business owners in the Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire areas who want to deal with an infestation themselves, whether it’s cockroaches, rats, bed bugs or squirrels, to name but a few of the possible culprits. There are legal implications that many people won’t be aware of that could land them in hot water, and then there are possible health issues that may arise either from direct contact with the invading pest (including disposal of the body) or its droppings and urine.

But sometimes, the biggest danger can come from not knowing enough about the pest you are dealing with, and the effectiveness of the solution you are applying. For instance, any chemicals you might be handling are likely to be highly toxic and could be harmful if touched or inhaled – in fact, there are some DIY pest control products you shouldn’t even use inside your home because they can be harmful to you, your family and pets if used in an enclosed space or if they get into your home’s water supply. Please also think of neighbours and visitors if you are leaving poison around the place both inside and outside your property and they don’t know it’s there.

And when all’s said and done, even if you’ve managed to avoid breaking the law or making yourself and others ill in the process, the biggest kick in the teeth comes when you find that the solution you’ve spent time and money on … doesn’t work! So now you’re raced with the decision: do you go back to the shop, buy something else and see if that works, or do you contact Manchester Pest Control?

The reason why professionals have the edge

We wouldn’t expect you to know everything there is to know about the pests infesting your home, but at Manchester Pest Control, it’s our business to know – we deal with these sorts of issues year in, year out. We have well over a decade of accumulated knowledge and experience, and that’s why we know that many shop-bought pest solutions are often only temporary, assuming they even work at all. By the time customers come to us, some have already spent a large amount of money on DIY products that just haven’t delivered. ‘We followed the instructions on the label,’ they’ll say, ‘but it had no effect whatsoever!’

Let’s consider some of the reasons. Sometimes, homeowners misdiagnose the kind of pest they are dealing with – such as confusing bed bugs with fleas. And then there are the different stages of a creature’s life-cycle to consider – again, using the example of insects, it might be that the chemicals you are using have an effect on adults but not on the eggs they have laid. And if you’ve been trying to tackle a rat or mouse infestation, you might not have considered that they are carriers of ticks, fleas and other parasites which may then also pose a problem within your home.

Sometimes the problem is just too big for you to deal with on your own, and we do understand how frustrating that must be. You may find yourself fighting a losing battle if you live in a block of flats where an infestation is widespread amongst neighbouring flats, or if you own a house next door to someone with untidy habits who you feel is to blame for your troubles. There are wider considerations for business owners, who should not attempt DIY pesticide solutions on their business premises unless they hold a certificate that sanctions them to do so.

Value for money in the long term

To anyone considering or being driven mad by ineffective DIY solutions in the Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire region, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Save yourself a whole load of time, worry and inconvenience and contact Manchester Pest Control today – we’ll get straight to the heart of the problem, delivering immediate and long-term results. You take a rest and we’ll do it ourselves!

Bird Control Manchester

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Pest control for pigeons on our homes

 

Just as squirrels (who Manchester Pest Control have covered in a previous blog post) are sometimes referred to as ‘rats with bushy tails’, it is pigeons that have been awarded the equally unflattering title of ‘rats with wings’ – although if you live, work in or regularly visit urban parts of Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire, you will probably have a good idea why this title is so apt. The feral pigeons that occupy our town and city centres are a regular nuisance with their sheer numbers and with the mess that they make. In fact, it has not been unknown for cities such as Manchester to introduce birds of prey in an attempt to address the growing problem.

 

Why are pigeons a pest?

 

There are many different types of pigeon varieties, with the feral pigeons (or ‘rock dove’, as this species is known) being the one that has typically garnered the worst reputation for itself. Although a diet of seeds, berries, insects and cereals should be quite enough for them, living alongside humans has provided the feral pigeon with a much greater range of foodstuffs to tuck into and these greedy pests will feed from bins and discarded fast-food cartons, and will even brazenly steal food from tables at outdoor cafes if plates are briefly left unattended or customers are distracted. And where you find large numbers of pigeons feeding on rich food that is not a normal part of their diet, you will also find pavements, benches, and areas below roosting sites decorated with their excrement.

 

If you are used to seeing feral pigeons every day, you may not know that the woodpigeon is the UK’s commonest pigeon species, and the largest in size too. The woodpigeon can be found in parks, woods, gardens and throughout the British countryside, where it can be a particular nuisance to farmers, routinely making raids on farm crops. Like the feral pigeon, they are highly persistent and do not remain scared away for long, usually regrouping before making another raid when they think the coast is clear. If you have a garden with a bird table, you’ll know that woodpigeons can scare the smaller birds away and will eat voraciously until you chase them off yourself. They also have a nasty habit of fouling bird baths, which could then be a source of contamination for other birds.

 

Pigeon guano and disease

 

Guano is another word for bird excrement, and as we’ve already outlined above, pigeons spread a lot of it about.

 

Have you ever parked your car somewhere overnight and returned to find that pigeons have been nesting above it? If so, the staff here at Manchester Pest Control fully sympathise, as chances are you will have found the entire roof of your vehicle covered in pigeon mess. If you don’t clean it off quick, it has corrosive properties that can take the paint off your car. It can also damage the stonework of buildings, so is pretty strong stuff.

 

If you come into contact with pigeon guano by accident, or if you are having to clean it from your car or property, try to avoid contact against the skin and be sure to wash your hands or affected areas thoroughly afterwards. You should also take care to wear a protective facemask over your nose and throat if you discover pigeons have been roosting in your loft or some other enclosed space and there is a large amount of guano to clean up. There is a bacteria prevalent among pigeons which can cause Psittacosis in humans, and people may become ill after inhaling the bacteria which can become airborne when guano dries.

 

Salmonella bacteria may also be present in pigeon guano. At present though [January 2014], no evidence has been found that suggests pigeons can be carriers of the bird flu virus, although do revisit the Manchester Pest Control website and blog every now and then for potential updates – we’ll do our best to keep the public informed of any health risks.

 

Pigeons and Your Home

 

Whether you live in a town flat, a country cottage or suburbia, you may find pigeons a direct problem if they are constantly paying visits to your home and garden, causing damage to plants and property, or scaring away the birds you do want to see in your garden.

 

You may find their constant cooing outside your window early in the morning and throughout the day an irritation as they court and roost on window sills and in the eaves of houses, or within your home itself if they can infiltrate the roof space. We have already mentioned the diseases associated with guano, but it should also be noted that a dead pigeon in your water tank is a potential source of contamination to your home’s water supply. Externally, dead birds, guano and nesting material can cause gutters and drains to become blocked which may lead to your home suffering water damage.

 

One potential cause of pigeons targeting your home is if you have neighbours who feed them on a regular basis. The law can’t help you much here if the neighbour refuses to accept they are causing the problem, unless a very clear risk to public health can be cited in your favour. And if you kill or injure a pigeon, or destroy their nest and eggs, you could be eligible for a fine or imprisonment under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act.

 

Manchester Pest Control – a humane and long-term solution

On top of the legal implications, culling pigeons hasn’t been known to work as reducing their numbers just seems to result in those that remain breeding more to make up for their depleted numbers, and then they rapidly become a nuisance again. If there is plenty of food still available for them, there is no reason for them to move on, and pigeons from other areas may quickly move in as well.

At Manchester Pest Control, we can help you keep pigeons away by fitting pigeon-proof netting and anti-roosting spikes to the affected parts of your property. This is both a humane and long-term solution to the problem – we have the experience and the know-how to be sure of it.

Manchester Pest Control, keeping properties in Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire safe from pigeon incursions since 1999.

Manchester Squirrel Treatment

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Pest control for squirrels, and the damage that can happen

 

Public opinion on squirrels is divided: some people love to see these agile little performers leaping nimbly from tree to tree or using their cunning to defeat the seemingly squirrel-proof bird feeder; to other people, there’s little distinction between squirrels and rats, apart from the bushy tails! And while rats tend to be more active at night which means that they are less often spotted despite their large numbers, squirrels are more active during the daytime which means you may be more aware of their activity in your area.

 

Squirrels can also be quite tame, taking food offered to them directly by human hand, although as Manchester Pest Control will outline for you in this blog, there can be associated health risks as with any outdoor animal. And you may want to think twice before getting too friendly with these little mischief makers in case they decide to set up home under your roof with disastrous consequences!

 

Grey vs Red – some facts

 

The grey squirrel has become a highly visible sight in the UK since it first found its way to our shores only within the last 150 years. Initially thought of as exotic by the Victorians, the grey squirrel has now become so widespread that it has significantly driven down the numbers of native red squirrels. Manchester Pest Control has a bit of a soft spot for the poor red squirrel, which is a smaller, prettier looking, shier sort of creature that now only survives in small pockets in the north of England, with 75% of the population in Scotland where the greys are less prevalent. In addition to competing more successfully for available food stocks (seeds, buds and insects) grey squirrels carry a virus which they are immune to but which can be deadly for the reds.

 

The red squirrel is protected by law and it is a criminal act to kill, capture, or cause injury to a red squirrel, or disturb and destroy places where they breed or rest. Grey squirrels are not afforded the same degree of protection in this country due to their far greater numbers, although there are strict rules about holding them in captivity without a special licence, unless the captive grey is being transported directly to a vet to be put down humanely. Releasing captured grey squirrels back into the wild is also an offence without an appropriate licence to do so.

 

Squirrels and Us

 

The virus that grey squirrels carry is not known to be harmful to humans, although it is recommended that if you come into contact with a squirrel you should wash your hands afterwards. Exposure to squirrel urine and faeces may cause salmonella poisoning if accidentally consumed. Squirrels can also administer a nasty bite, so think twice before feeding even the tamest seeming of them. In fact, Manchester Pest Control strongly advise that you get a tetanus jab if bitten by a squirrel. And like many outdoor animals, squirrels can carry parasites in their fur, such as fleas and ticks, which you don’t want to get bitten by either!

 

The risk of exposure to these various health hazards is only heightened by close proximity to squirrels that comes when they invade our homes. This is accompanied by even greater risks, as we’ll now see…

 

Squirrels and Our Homes

 

All homes in the Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire areas are equally at risk from squirrel infestation – if they find somewhere they like the look of during a cold spell or when searching out a potential nesting site away from predators, these bushy-tailed pests are experts at breaking and entering. We’ve already mentioned being bitten by squirrels, but did you know that the teeth of a squirrel continue to grow throughout their entire life? These sharp front teeth could grow ridiculously out of proportion were it not for the squirrel’s constant compulsion to chew and gnaw, and this includes eating their way into your roof!

 

If a squirrel finds a weak spot on your roof, they will exploit it to gain access. This is of course assuming that there isn’t already a hole big enough for them to easily get in and out of in the first place, so watch out for loose and fallen roof tiles and any signs of damage following a storm, or just general wear and tear over the years. If a squirrel spots the weakness first, they can be inside your loft space in a shot, and will continue to nibble away at vital roof beams, insulation materials, electricity cables – anything they come across, including items and heirlooms you have stored away for safe keeping.

 

It has not been unknown for a fire to start after a squirrel has chewed through electrical wiring, so we should add arson to the list of potential crimes these pests can exact on your property. The presence of a nest can only guarantee a whole load of trouble for you and your home once the baby squirrels are born and start to explore their immediate environment.

 

Manchester Pest Control, coming to your rescue

 

You may be tempted to deal with a squirrel infestation yourself, but we would urge you to reconsider. As we’ve already noted, there are legal considerations that you must abide by, but there are also a variety of practical considerations. For instance, if you attempt to block off the entry point while an adult grey squirrel is away, it will go to great efforts to get back to its young in the nest and this could result in further damage to your property. The dependent young will also die if separated from their parents, so it is important for you to consider how you would feel about causing this to happen, and then having to dispose of the bodies.

 

Manchester Pest Control can take the worry away from you and your family. We can run a thorough check for the presence of a nest in your roof space before any attempt is made to seal the point of entry; we can ensure that any captured grey squirrels are taken away and disposed of humanely; and we can provide you with sound advice and assistance on rodent proofing to ensure that you do not experience a repeat of the problem. If you live in Manchester, Stockport or Cheshire, and are concerned about what squirrels may be doing to your home, be sure to contact Manchester Pest Control – we’re here to help.

Bed Bug Treatment Manchester

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Bed bug control

 

We’ve already covered in a previous blog how bed bug infestations can quickly spread throughout an otherwise tidy home. Now we move on to tackling the problem once it’s been identified. Naturally, we would recommend our own services at Manchester Pest Control over other available alternatives, although this is not just because we would welcome your business. In a very practical sense, getting rid of these kinds of household nuisances is not an easy task. It’s something we deal with on a daily basis for residents in Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire, so we can promise you that we do know what we’re talking about – we’re not just empty words on a label.

 

This is the problem with many of the insecticides that are available in supermarkets, DIY stores and online. It’s not like you’re having to buy these every day (we hope!) so when you find yourself faced with a bed bug infestation, you also have to deal with the dizzying selection of products that are available, and all of them proudly boasting the same guarantee to deliver. If they were all as good as they claim to be, then your best option would be going with the cheapest, and this is often what people do. But then they’re often back again soon after that’s proven ineffective, either buying more of the same in bulk with the hope that sheer quantity will resolve the problem, or looking for the strongest, most lethal-looking insecticide available.

 

Bed bugs, like any other form of life on this planet that wants to keep on living, are just as adaptable to what their environment throws at them as human beings are. An insecticide that might have been proven to kill a certain strain of bed bug in laboratory conditions in one part of the world may prove entirely useless when dealing with an infestation of a slightly different strain in some other location. And there’s a reason why many of these bottles have health warnings on the label: because what you are handling and breathing in if you’re not careful in how you use it, is a highly concentrated poison! Continued heavy use of insecticides in an enclosed space like your bedroom could be a serious danger to your health, particularly if you are mixing different brands of chemicals in the process.

 

When you give Manchester Pest Control a call, we’ll come round as soon as possible in an unmarked vehicle so as not to attract the attention of the wider neighbourhood. We’ll assess the extent of the infestation, find out what steps you may have already taken, and then tackle the problem with insecticides that are available to us as qualified industry professionals. We know what works, and we will work on systematically clearing your home of bed bugs over a number of subsequent days until we can be certain that none remain. The difference between us and a shop-bought insecticide is we have a reputation to uphold. The staff at Manchester Pest Control understand the problem and would rather you slept soundly at night. Speak to us today with the confidence that we’ll prove it.

Wasp Control £59.50 – Manchester Stockport Cheshire

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Wasps sting hard

 

At Manchester Pest Control, we know what a nuisance wasps can be. Guaranteed to ruin any family picnic and have people running indoors for cover, these striped menaces must be one of the UK’s most loathed garden insects.

 

Although bees can be something of a nuisance too, they don’t have quite the same reputation and are generally less aggressive unless they feel trapped. While honey bees are known to sting once and then die when their stinger becomes separated, wasps in particular will keep on stinging. One sting on its own can be very nasty and may trigger anaphylactic shock in some people; it may take multiple stings to have the same effect on others; and most people will not experience such an extreme reaction at all.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK

 

• This condition can affect people of all ages but is not a common reaction to being stung, so please don’t fear the worst if you or a family member are stung. Pain, discomfort and a slight stress reaction, although unpleasant, are normal and to be expected.

 

• Symptoms to watch out for are skin swelling, itching or a rash developing on other parts of the body than where the victim was stung. The affected person may have difficulty breathing, feel faint or light-headed. These symptoms can all develop very quickly, and must be treated.

 

• If you have any concerns that you or a family member might be suffering the effects of anaphylactic shock, phone 999 immediately, or get to the nearest available hospital straight away as this condition can be life-threatening if left untreated.

 

UNDERSTANDING WASP BEHAVIOUR

 

It helps to know a bit more about why wasps behave in the way they do. We don’t expect you to like them any more, but the old saying of ‘know your enemy’ has its uses. For instance, did you know that wasps eat insects such as aphids and caterpillars that would otherwise over-run our parks and gardens? So at least they’re doing some good. And it’s while they’re feasting on these other garden pests in the early part of the summer that wasps generally pose less of a problem for us.

 

The problem comes later in the summer when wasps run low on their other food sources and start to look around for alternatives, and that’s when our picnics and barbeques suddenly become a lot more tempting. They like sweet-tasting food, which will definitely attract them, so it’s advisable that you keep all food covered or in containers until you intend to consume it, as wasps will otherwise be drawn by the scent. You may even decide to leave a sacrificial cake a little way off to try and lure them away from where you are eating!

If you don’t mind the wait, wasps are less active from early evening onwards when the weather is darker and cooler, so that’s another way of avoiding them. We do say though, that if you find or are aware of a wasp nest in the vicinity of your home and garden, the safest and most cost efficient way of dealing with it is to contact us here at Manchester Pest Control, for a service that covers all of Manchester, Cheshire and Stockport. We’ll be providing more information on wasp nest control in a later blog.

School

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Pest control for schools in our region

 

This latest appeal from Manchester Pest Control goes out to headmasters, teachers, school governors and parents. And, we should add, children too, although we appreciate they may be more likely to be busy Facebooking (or heaven forbid, doing their homework!)

 

There are well over 200 primary and secondary schools in the Manchester, Cheshire and Stockport areas and many of these are at risk from infestations that can pose a health danger to children and staff, in addition to compromising the structural integrity of school buildings. There are major health, cost and reputational implications for any school that does not take suitable precautions. The National Union of Teachers has issued its own guidance on this matter which reinforces everything we have to tell you here.

 

As the leading providers of pest control services in your area, Manchester Pest Control has a duty-bound responsibility to assist those who act responsively by engaging our services. Read on to find out more about the invading pests and how to keep them at bay.

 

Why our schools?

 

You might ask yourself what the dangers could possibly be and why they should target our nation’s schools in particular? Put simply, vermin such as rats, mice, squirrels,  birds, and insects (including ants, wasps and fleas) are indiscriminate about where they set up home – the main factors that drive them are the need for food and somewhere to live in comfort. Once they have found these things, they will be in no hurry to leave, may defend their territory aggressively, and will inevitably breed. They will breed often and with large broods, and by this point there is no avoiding the fact that your school has an infestation problem.

 

When you think about the amount of litter and food waste that can accumulate around a school playground each day, in addition to the leftovers from the canteen which have to be put out for collection, these are some of the things that will attract vermin. Canteen and cleaning staff should naturally ensure they keep kitchen surfaces clean, store food away properly, not leave doors and windows open, and floors should be regularly swept – all as part of a daily routine. If staff do not follow the correct procedures, preferring to take short cuts or assuming there is little risk, this can be just one way that the problem begins.

 

What steps can be taken?

 

We would expect every school to have a policy on cleanliness and pest control, with certain members of staff having the role of overseers, although other staff should be encouraged to report issues as and when they arise. Vigilance is key, as with the kind of fixed routine we’ve already outlined above for kitchen and cleaning staff. People need to understand there will be a consequence to their actions. For instance, rubbish stored outside should be placed in secure bins that absolutely must not be left propped open for convenience as this will only provide a mode of access for vermin.

 

School buildings, especially outbuildings, may not be as secure as we prefer our homes to be. It does not take much for a rat or mouse to get into a building made of wood, particularly if the wood has not been treated and is showing signs of wear and tear. Cockroaches will feed off human faeces as well as food rubbish, and may invade toilet areas if appropriate cleaning measures are not taken or sewers or drains become blocked. Roof spaces should be inspected in case flying vermin have gained access – bear in mind that mammals and birds will carry fleas and other parasites that can rapidly spread to carpets and furniture.

 

Of course, the bigger the school, the greater the area that needs to be patrolled, and the larger the number of entry points by which vermin can gain access. So even if you have a sound policy in place and staff are complying with it, there may still be occasions when you are unavoidably too late to prevent an infestation taking hold.

 

Manchester Pest Control: Taking swift and effective action

 

We urge you to contact Manchester Pest Control as soon as possible if you become aware of an infestation on your school premises.

 

Do not attempt to deal with the problem yourself or permit others to try and fix it even if they think they know what they’re doing. Be certain to close off the affected area so that staff and pupils are not exposed to risk. If the infestation has been located close to or within an area where food is normally prepared or consumed, on no account should you permit meals to be served until the area has been pronounced safe. In this regard it may be necessary to temporarily close the school, which may seem like a drastic course of action but it has to be preferable to the worst case scenario of children and adults becoming infected from exposure to harmful bacteria, or being scratched, bitten or stung depending on the nature of the infestation.

 

Manchester Pest Control offers a swift and immediate response service to schools in the Manchester, Cheshire and Stockport areas. For many years now we have worked at disposing of the different forms of vermin that can plague our local schools. When faced with a particular type of invasive pest, we know its habits and can effectively trace nesting sites and any other areas that the infestation may be on the verge of spreading to. We will use the correct tools, insecticides or pesticides for the job and will work thoroughly and methodically until we can be certain that the job is complete. This also extends to providing advice to you about when it is safe for the affected area of the school to be reoccupied, and what steps you may need to take to prevent a reoccurrence of the problem.

 

ManchesterPest Control: Committed to making playtime, and learning, safe for the children (and their teachers) in our region.

Ants Bedbugs Beetles Birds Cockroaches Fleas Flies Foxes Mice Mites Moles Moths Pigeons Rabbits Rats Silverfish Spiders Squirrels Wasps Woodlice

We offer a same day wasp treatment service in the School area

Effective Wasp Nest Treatment in School

School wasp control treatments are safe and provide excellent value for money. We offer a comprehensive wasp nest treatment service for a fixed price of £59.50. We also cover Stockport, Cheshire and Warrington areas. We are specialists in wasp nest control and also hornet nest treatments. We also provide a same day service, so for those people that really don't like wasps at all, we are here to help and we guarantee that we kill wasp nests dead.

Pest Control for Landlords in School

Manchester Pest covers Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

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