Susan Jefferson

Bed bugs are the sort of pest that might not cross your mind unless you are travelling around the world, but rather than being a thing of the past bed bugs are actually increasing in the UK and becoming a real pest control problem. While bed bugs were once a common pest problem in the UK, they had largely been eliminated from homes, but an increase in travel has seen a fairly rapid rise in reports of local infestations in Birmingham , Manchester , London , Bristol and across many parts of the UK. How to spot a bed bug Despite their name, you can actually find bed bugs pretty much anywhere. It is common to find bed bugs on mattresses, bedding and furniture but they can also be found in fittings and personal items, such as suitcases and children’s toys. However, it is their habit of feeding on the blood of people as they sleep that has earned them the name ‘bed bugs’. Seeing the human body as a food source they will take blood as people sleep in bed, leaving small bite marks where ...

Councils over the UK have undergone significant cuts to their yearly budget plans, with some councils reporting over 30% in budget cuts over the last five years. Pest control services have seen a few of the biggest budget cuts, with some councils totally eliminating any type of pest control solutions from the solutions that they use. A flexibility of info demand by the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) was embarked on, as well as the report revealed that councils are merely not dealing with as several pest control concerns, with some authorities seeing decreases by 22%. The record has likewise revealed that just 7% of neighborhood authorities are still using cost free pest control solutions as a result of absence of sources as well as budget cuts, which does not assist citizens in their time of demand. The report has actually also shown that only 7% of regional authorities are still supplying free of charge pest control services as a result of absence of sources and spending pl...

Consider a historic building and no doubt sash windows will spring to mind as a feature, but what is the history of sash windows? The popularity of sash windows spanned hundreds of years such was the success of the design. So comprehensive was the use of sash windows that, although slight changes were made at times, they appear in properties dating back to the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian times. Offering an excellent ventilation system and remarkable durability, updates to sash windows were largely a result of developments in glass manufacturing, rather than the window system itself. Who invented sash windows? The exact introduction of sash windows to the UK is not entirely clear – some credit the architect Robert Hooke with the invention owing to his work on resurrecting the capital city following the Great Fire of London in 1666. However, other evidence suggests the idea originated in Holland. What does seem to be agreed upon is that sash windows were based on Yorkshire light ...

Consider a historic building and no doubt sash windows will spring to mind as a feature, but what is the history of sash windows? The popularity of sash windows spanned hundreds of years such was the success of the design. So comprehensive was the use of sash windows that, although slight changes were made at times, they appear in properties dating back to the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian times. Offering an excellent ventilation system and remarkable durability, updates to sash windows were largely a result of developments in glass manufacturing, rather than the window system itself. Who invented sash windows? The exact introduction of sash windows to the UK is not entirely clear – some credit the architect Robert Hooke with the invention owing to his work on resurrecting the capital city following the Great Fire of London in 1666. However, other evidence suggests the idea originated in Holland. What does seem to be agreed upon is that sash windows were based on Yorkshire l...

Major alterations to a home generally need building consent but when it comes to renovating a period property the legalities can be more complicated. If a period property is in a conservation area, an area of outstanding natural beauty or is listed the restrictions about what can be done to renovate it are increased. Many alterations to more modern homes do require building regulations approval, but these can often be met by using a trader from the Competent Persons Register who can self-certify that major electrical work or window installations, for example, meet the criteria. It would only usually be in the event of making major alterations such as adding an extension where planning permission would be needed. When renovating a period property, however, the need to secure planning permission is applied much more widely as local authorities work to preserve the character of certain areas and buildings. Planning permission for period properties Your first responsibility in buyi...

Wasps can be an intolerable and dangerous pest if they decide to nest somewhere in your home, like your loft, garage or shed. So it’s useful to know when they are likely to start nesting and how the nesting and hibernation cycle can be affected by weather. So here at  PestBusters  we have put together a wasp fact file to help you know when to look out for wasps and their nests. Late September time is when wasps nest reach their maximum size and the new Queen and male wasps are produced. Nests can produce around 100 Queen Wasps every year. Mid to late April is when we begin to see wasps again as the re surface in search of food. For the first few weeks the Queen wasps are expected to fend for themselves feeding and gathering nest building materials before the worker wasps begin to join in the nest building process. So How Does Weather Affect This Process? The weather plays a big part in how successful the wasp season will be. If we take this year for example – wasps need a fairly cold...

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...

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is as important for photographers as it is for any other profession. I maintain and develop knowledge and skills through studying for further qualifications, exhibiting and entering internationally recognised competitions. Personal projects are a very important part of the process and at any one time, I can be working on up to three self-commissioned projects. Camera Unfriendly is an ARPS project I started working on in 2014. It explores the impact of CCTV on the individual and how makeup is used to protect privacy. The project has already clocked up two successes: a gold medal in the Southern Federation championships and highest scoring print in the league. Winter's Waif: Gold Medal portrait at SCPF Brown Sugar: Highest Scoring Print in Southern Counties Division. Selected for Regional Finals. https://www.studio-grey.net/peer-review-regional-success/

The 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 attract...

Well done Dave for raising over £3000 for Demensia Revolution Our Chairman Dave Nash completed the London 2019 marathon in 6 hours and 20 minutes on Sunday. He entered the Marathon in memory of his Mom who passed away last year after a five year struggle with Dementia and Alzheimers. Dave has had great support from family, friends and businesses to raise over £3000 in aid of Demensia Revolution. THANK YOU ALL for donating.   https://www.pest-busters.co.uk/pest-control-news/pest-control/chairman-dave-completes-london-marathon-for-charity/

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. 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 anyt...

How to prepare for a headshot session Your corporate image is more than a simple 'snap', it should capture your professional profile, support company brand values and your individual skill set. It is a big ask but perfectly achievable provided you prepare. Our ability to construct complex portraits with subliminal supporting elements is why we have won awards from respected national bodies and we can help you define, create and publish images that work as a marketing resource for you, your company and your PR team. What are you all about? Much of the work defining your individual and company values may well have been done. Your mission statement, values and objectives provide a written reference. But it's worth re-visiting just to make sure your messaging is current. Understand there are a minimum of three people in every portrait: the sitter, the artist and the audience. You and your photographer work together to convey the right message through your image. The photographe...

Many people can’t tell the difference between rats and mice. Lots of people think that mice are just baby rats or young rats. In fact, there are languages across the world in which the word “rat” is used for both animals. Even though they look similar, the fact is that there are many differences between them. There are dozens of mouse and rat species, but the fact is that there are two species that are most frequently found inside or our around our homes – the common rat which is also called brown rat or sewer rat and the house mouse. When it comes to rodents in residential areas , 95% of the sightings are actually mice, not rats. The reason why it is important to determine whether you have problems with mice or rats is simple – there are different methods of treatment. Generally speaking, rats are a more serious problem and their presence is an indicator that there may be something wrong with your home that needs addressing (malfunctioning plumbing or drainage system etc.). Let’s ...

Bed bugs are one of the worst pests! They thrive by sucking blood from human hosts. They are nocturnal creatures which mean that they feast on our blood when we sleep. Even though they can’t pass serious disease to humans, their bites and their presence, in general, can lead to allergic reactions. In addition, their bites also cause itching similar to the one experienced after a mosquito bite. Bed bugs are very difficult to detect and they can survive for weeks without eating. If there is bed bug infestation, homeowners must look for professional help. But, how quickly can bed bugs spread? When it comes to the outdoors, these bugs often infest nests made by bats, birds, and other animals. Bed bugs are about ¼ inches long which means that they can easily penetrate our homes. They can also enter hotels, guest houses, and apartment buildings. When they find a suitable spot for a living they start procreating. This reproduction process is very quick. A female bed bug can lay up to five...

There are many different species of ants, but when it comes to ants that are found in households, we are usually talking about the carpenter and black ants. Black ants , also known as black garden ants, can cause a lot of frustration with homeowners because they are difficult to eliminate once they settle in the house. A single colony of these ants can have more than 2,000 active black ants. Black ants are active both at night and during the daytime. Gardens and houses are their favourite habitats even though some of them are found in forests too. These ants can be found in Europe and in some parts of North America too. The elimination of black ants is not a simple task. When they are in our homes they usually nest in cracks in walls, woodwork, in basement walls and under carpets and rugs. In the garden, they are found in concrete cracks, mulch, trees and under rocks too.  It can be difficult to locate the nest and they are also very resilient creatures. Another reason why it’s dif...

Many household pests are attracted by dirt – more specifically food waste – so a good way to keep bugs at bay is by blitzing the house with a new year super clean. While most people don’t relish the thought of cleaning the house, it is essential to maintain a certain standard of living. The key is to keep on top of things by getting into a few good daily habits – then making it a once-a-year mission to complete a ‘deep clean’. Here are our top tips for a new year clean to keep pests out:   Make a clean kitchen a top priority Kitchens hold a big attraction for household pests with all that food being stored , crumbs left on the floor, a water supply and the potential for damp. Use the new year to get rid of unwanted food and to wipe down the inside of cupboards used for storage. Make sure the cooker and microwave are spick and span and free of food debris then tackle the floor. Vacuum around corners, into crevices and behind bins to get rid of any dropped food then thoroughly m...

With sleigh bells’ ringing, jingle bells a-rockin’ and with a certain Father Christmas making his way downtown, the festive season really is in full swing come this time of year. With lists of names to buy presents for along with food and drink to purchase, it can be easy to lose track of what it is your supposed to be doing! One thing you may not have considered is the risk of unwanted visitors this Christmas. Whilst most people associate pests with the summer sunshine, the warmth and shelter of our homes become a much more attractive refuge for pesky lodgers at this time of year. At PestBusters, we specialise in  pest control in Birmingham  and around the West Midlands and pride ourselves in the high standard of service we provide. Working both domestically and commercially, we understand the discreet and quick-action needed when dealing with pests. With years of experience dealing with domestic pests and large scale vermin, we aim to work efficiently and effectively to ensure that...

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. T...

Good neighbours can make all the difference when it comes to a happy home – but what if your neighbours are pests? Yes we mean real pests –what if sitting on the other side of the garden fence is a colony of rats, a wasp’s nest or an out of control insect infestation? Obviously if the concern is in your own home dealing with a pest problem is far more straightforward and can be dealt with on your terms.  The best choice in the event of a serious infestation is to call in pest control experts, however, if the problem is at your neighbour’s home that is not something you can force them to do. Check they know there is a pest problem So where does that leave you? Hopefully your neighbour will also not want to share their home with pests so it is best to raise the issue with them politely. Let them know that you have spotted rats in their garden, or are concerned there could be a wasp’s nest. In the case of rats it could be that a lone rat has been spotted in the garden looking for f...

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

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 a...

Spring has finally arrived. If you are like most people then you probably enjoy this season, but you should be aware that spring can sometimes be a pain because this is the period when many pests become very active! In light of this, spring is the perfect time to take some measures to eliminate insects and prevent their occurrence. You should always take actions whenever you notice even one pest because you definitely don’t want to deal with an infestation later. Prevention is always better than cure, so start doing this today and protect your property from infestation. First of all, ants start to emerge in the spring in large numbers. As we have already mentioned, it is better to spot them earlier and prevent their spreading. Luckily, ants are not that small and you can easily detect them. Another thing about ants is that the fact that they can be eliminated quickly and with the help of some traditional methods used against pests, you can soon bring an ant problem under control. ...

Mice and rats are very common pests in both urban and rural areas. Despite the fact that people have been dealing with rodents for hundreds of years now, there are still many myths related to them. In order to control rodents, it is crucial to be able to separate the facts from myths. This is why we have created a short list of 5 myths about rodents. 1. Chewing damage is the main issue related to rodents Whilst it is true that there are cases where property damage caused by mice and rats is very high, it is also true that the health risks linked to rodents are much worse. After all, you can always fix the damage in your home or office caused by rodents and you can do this in a matter of days, but there are many diseases and health problems caused by rodents that are difficult to heal. These rodents can pollute food and spread different diseases. Trichinosis, leptospirosis and salmonella are some of the parasites and viruses carried by rats. 2. The perfect rodent trap bait is cheese...

When people notice the presence of a single ant in their kitchen for the first time they are not unduly alarmed. However, when that turns into two, three, four and more then it becomes a bit more worrying. Anyone who has experience with ants know that they can quickly become a serious problem. They can contaminate the food, damage the fabric of your kitchen and generally become a real nuisance. Even though the elimination of ants may seem a difficult activity, the fact is that there are some repellent options that are simple and effective. To start with, you will need to monitor their movement. They have a path which they tend to follow so this shouldn’t be very difficult. After a while, you will be able to identify the entry points used by ants. Once you have done this, you will need to block these points to stop their entry and then ideally look for their nest and use an established ant killing spray/chemicals. The presence of a single ant in your home is just a sign that more of...

Rodents are pretty prolific. Across the globe there are around 2,200 species and they can be found on every continent (Antarctica is the only exception). They can live in many different habitats and they can reproduce quickly and in high numbers. Some of them, especially mice and rats, have adjusted their way of life to the human environment. In the last few decades, they have become one of the most common pest animals in urban areas. Of course, mice carry many different microorganisms that cause diseases in humans . In this article, we will highlight some of the diseases that people can develop when they are in contact with mice. Bear in mind that these diseases are very rare but it’s best to be warned about them. Salmonellosis Many mice carry Salmonella bacteria and this bacteria causes problems in pets and humans. The bacteria is transmitted via water or food contaminated with mice droppings. Abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea are some of the most common symptoms of Salm...

Flies are one of the most annoying pests that can be found in almost every business and home in the UK throughout the year. Of course, they are especially active during the summer period. There are many fly species out there, but some of them are more common than the others. By learning more about these widespread species, people can also learn how to prevent them from entering their businesses and homes. Bluebottle fly Bluebottle fly, or blow fly as some people call it, is a type of fly usually found close to dustbins. They are fond of feasting on dead animals and pet faeces and this is the reason why they can be dangerous because of the different diseases they carry. Autumn fly This is another common fly in the UK. They love flying around cattle and horses and, in most cases, they gather around their eyes or other parts of the face. They feed themselves from the saliva, nasal mucus and tears of animals. During the night they are inactive and usually stay in buildings. The female a...

Prevention of rodent infestation is an issue that the human race has faced for over 6 centuries. In the 14 th century, Europe and Asia were affected by Black Death (bubonic plague) which killed millions of people. Although such plagues are not seen today, this doesn’t mean that they can’t occur on a micro level. Although cases of bubonic plague are very rare, the fact is that rodents like mice and rats can trigger many different diseases that can affect the lives of humans and their pets. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, Lassa fever, Wells syndrome, hantavirus, rat-bite fever, pneumonic plague, typhoid plague – these are just some of the diseases related to mice and rats. Rodent issues: telltale signs Bite marks on a cereal box is one of the most typical signs that you have a rodent problem in your home. But, there are some other signs that can help you determine whether you have unwanted guests in your home – small paw prints on the floor or other dusty areas, droppings that are smal...

Standing at the sink, washing the dishes, and all of a sudden you catch a glimmer of silver out of the corner of your eye. Come to think of it, didn’t you see a similar flash in the corner behind the toilet just the other day? It may only be a tiny speck, blink and it’s gone, but your mind may not be playing tricks on you and there might actually be a cause for concern about these twinkling shapes. What you may have is a possible silverfish infestation. What are Silverfish? Silverfish are tiny wingless insects, the name originating from their silvery-grey colouring and wriggle-like movements. Also known as carpet sharks, fishmoths or paramites they are difficult to spot being nocturnal and actually quite shy in nature. The problem is, they breed very quickly and can live up to a whole year without eating. The one small saving grace is that they don’t bite and don’t carry diseases. Typically characterised with flat, elongated bodies and flickering antennae, the insets move swiftly a...

We love to shut the cold out over the winter months and snuggle up inside – unfortunately we are not the only ones. Some bugs are also not fond of plummeting outside temperatures and the rain so seek shelter from the elements by moving indoors. There is, of course, also the lure of light as anyone who has left a window open and the light on in summer will know – some bugs can’t resist artificial light. With the darker months of winter, household lights are on for longer and continue to be an attraction for an assortment of winged insects and creepy crawlies. What pests come indoors over winter? Spiders: While it can seem like there is no part of the year that spiders do not lurk in the corners of your home, autumn and winter is certainly worse. Spiders love crawling inside to find a lovely warm spot to make their home and to meet a companion. Rats: Ever the opportunists, rats are always on the lookout for easy to find food and the cold weather is very likel...

Councils over the UK have been subjected to significant cuts to their annual budgets, with some councils reporting over 30% in budget cuts over the last five years. Pest control services have seen some of the largest budget cuts, with some councils completely removing any pest control services from the services that they offer. A freedom of information request by the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) was undertaken, and the report showed that councils are simply not handling as many pest control issues, with some authorities seeing reductions by 22%. The report has also shown that only 7% of local authorities are still offering free of charge pest control services due to lack of resources and budget cuts, which does not assist residents in their time of need.   Council Pest Control Charges Birmingham City Council pest control department currently offer a free of charge service for treating rat problems, but services for treating other pest problems do now carry a charge. Pes...

Quips about old clothes looking moth-eaten are plentiful – but if you are unlucky to have suffered a moth infestation in your home you will know it is not a laughing matter. And unfortunately it is not just old clothes that moths – or more specifically their larvae - will devour, new clothes, carpets and even pet fur are all on the menu! With such a penchant for fabrics the potential for damage in your home is high if moths decide to make it their home too – after all one hole is enough to ruin your favourite cashmere jumper. How to avoid moths coming into your home Moths are attracted to the light, even though they prefer to hide out and make their homes in dark spaces. Try to avoid leaving windows open while the lights are on at night-time as this will serve as an open invitation to moths. While moths may have come into your home un-noticed making sure you regularly clean areas they will typically make their home will help to keep any larvae at bay. Vacuuming under beds and so...

Spring is the favourite season of the year for many people. The weather is warmer but not too hot and nature starts to wake up. However, this is also the time of the year when we can see all the dirt and dust that has accumulated in our home during the dark winter days. It is not unusual to notice spider-webs and other signs of the presence of insects. Early spring is the period when insects are still in that dormant stage and that’s why acting now, could prevent problems later. One of the first things that you should do is to fill any gaps and cracks found in walls and floors. These cracks are perfect hideouts for many bugs and especially for silverfish, who can be very active at night. If you have any potted flowers and plants on the floor in your home, now is the right time to remove them and place them higher. Millipedes and centipedes often like to come into the home and they can live right under the pot where the temperature is higher and there is more humidity in the air. We...