Questions

Straight answers, sorted by pest

Every answer is open. If yours is not here, call and ask; it will probably end up on this page.

Rats or mice, how do I tell?: Mouse droppings are the size of a grain of rice and scattered. Rat droppings are closer to a raisin, in small groups. We confirm on the survey, and the price is the same either way.
Will poison leave a smell in the walls?: It can, which is why we lean on proofing and traps inside the living space and keep bait to lofts, voids and outside runs. If an odour does appear, we come back to find and remove it at no charge.
Do you seal the holes or just treat?: We seal every entry point we can reach on the day. Proofing is included in the price; larger building repairs are quoted separately before any work starts.

Do you remove the nest?: Not usually. A treated nest dies within a day and wasps do not reuse an old one. Removing it live scatters the colony. If you want it gone afterwards, we take it away on a return visit for £25.
Is it a second nest if I have two entrances?: Often not. A single nest can have more than one way in. Second and third nests at the same address on the same visit are £25 each.
What if they are bees?: We do not treat honey bees. If it turns out to be bees, there is no charge for the visit and we give you the number of a local beekeeper who can collect the swarm.

Do I need to throw the mattress away?: Almost never. Seams are treated and steamed, and a zipped mattress encasement keeps any survivors inside until they die. Throwing furniture out often spreads them through the stairwell.
How do I prepare the room?: We send a one-page checklist when you book. The short version is to wash bedding and clothes at 60°C, bag them, and clear the floor and under the bed so we can reach the skirting.
Can I sleep in the room after treatment?: Yes, after four hours with the window open. Keep sleeping there; you are the bait that draws them across the treated surfaces.

Are the moths I see the ones doing the damage?: No, the larvae do the eating. The adults do not feed at all. That is why swatting the moths achieves little and why we treat where the larvae live.
Do I need to empty my wardrobes?: Yes, before the visit. Wash or dry-clean anything wool, then freeze items that cannot be washed for 72 hours. We send a short checklist when you book.
Will cedar or lavender keep them away?: They help a little in a closed drawer, but they do not kill eggs or larvae. Regular vacuuming of dark corners does more than any sachet.

Do I need to empty the kitchen?: No. Gel bait goes into hinges, cracks and behind appliances, not onto surfaces. Clear the cupboard under the sink and pull the fridge out if you can.
I live in a flat. Will they come back from next door?: They can, through shared pipe runs. We seal around pipe entries in your flat and, if you want, write a short note for your managing agent recommending the block is treated.
Will my food business have to close?: Rarely. We treat after service and bait is placed out of food areas. You get a written report for your environmental health file.

Can you just remove the birds?: Pigeons and gulls are protected in the UK while nesting and cannot simply be removed. What works, and what the law allows, is proofing that stops them landing and nesting.
How long does solar panel mesh last?: We use stainless steel mesh clipped to the panel frame, not drilled. Expect ten years or more. It is removable if the panels need servicing.
Do spikes hurt the birds?: No. They are blunt-tipped and simply leave no room to land. Netting and post-and-wire systems do the same on larger ledges.

Safety, payment and the guarantee

Are the treatments safe for children and pets?: Yes, when used as we use them. Baits are in locked boxes or placed out of reach, sprays are dry within two to four hours, and we tell you exactly which rooms to keep pets out of and for how long.
Do I need to be home?: For the first visit, yes, or someone with a key who can show us where the problem is. Follow-up checks in the loft or outside can often be done while you are out.
How do I pay?: By card or bank transfer when the first visit is done. Follow-ups within the job are already included. Business contracts are invoiced monthly.
Is the 90-day guarantee really free?: Yes. If the same pest returns to the same property within 90 days of the last visit, and you have followed the advice we left, we come back at no charge as many times as it takes.

The quickest answer is a phone call. We are on the line from 7:30 on weekdays.