28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling House Flies

The Common Housefly and the Lesser Housefly are the most widespread household flies. The adult is 7-8mm long, grey in colour with black stripes on the back, with a single pair of veined membraneous wings. The large compound eyes take up most of.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling House Mice

House mice are a part of British wildlife - but when they take up residence with you, they can be a cause for concern. Active all year round, mice are one of the most common pest species in the UK. House mice are small mammals of.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling House Moths

Textile pests and scavengers whose grubs eat natural fabrics. Similar to Clothes Moths. See Brown House Moth and Clothes Moth. Having problems with house moths? Use a trained professional pest controller. Searc.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Lacewing

The pale green Lacewing is a harmless wanderer from the garden or woods where its larvae prey upon other insects. It has a pale green, soft body, about 15mm long, with richly veined transparent wings folded over it when at rest. The eyes are an.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Ladybirds

There are many types of ladybird in the UK, but quite recently, a new variety was introduced that has the potential to jeopardise the others. The Harlequin ladybird is found naturally in the Far East, including Japan and Korea. It was introduced.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Larder Beetle

A relatively large (7-10mm) oval beetle, almost black but with a distinct pale band across the front of the wing-cases. The larvae are white after first hatching, but turn brown and are covered with tufts of bristly hair. They grow to 10-12mm lo.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Lice

Small, flat, wingless, grey parasites about 2mm long with strong claw legs and which feed on human blood. There are two distinct forms of this sort of louse - the head louse and the body louse, but they are similar in appearance. The pe.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Longhorn Beetle

The longhorn beetles are a cosmopolitan family of beetles, typically characterised by extremely long antennae, which are often as long as or longer than the beetle's body. See Woodworm. . More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Maggots

The layman’s term for the legless, wriggling larval (first) stage of certain insects, usually the larvae of Flies. However, you can find larvae for all sorts of species of insects including Beetles, Moths and Fleas. How to get rid o.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Mealworm

A term applied to the larvae of the three species of Mealworm Beetle. Adult beetles are about 15mm long, dark brown and scavenge in damp larders or down in basement food stores. They frequently breed in old birds’ nests. The larvae are lar.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Midges

Tiny dark grey flies, only about 2mm long with hair-fringed wings, most prevalent in spring and summer near sewage works. Also known as Filter Flies or Owl Midges, their grubs perform a useful purpose because they break down organic material at.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Mites

Barely visible to the naked eye, mites have eight legs and a round body and are seldom noticed until they have built up sufficient numbers to be a major infestation. They are not insects but are arachnids, related to spiders. The typica.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Moles

Moles tunnel using their large two front paws to scrape away the earth and feel along tunnels with their snouts and whiskers. Because of the absence of light within their living conditions, moles have very poor eyesight so very rarely will you s.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Mosquitoes

Most “mosquitoes” seen in houses are in fact the harmless and unrelated Crane Fly. True mosquitoes are very much smaller but have a similar long thin abdomen, long thin legs and strongly veined wings. The head has large eyes and a pr.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Moths

Are your clothes looking a bit more than “fashionably ripped”? Has your carpet fallen victim to hungry moth larvae? And are those wings in your flour? Find out everything you need to know about moths in the UK, including how and.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Pharaoh’s Ants

A small tropical species of ant of increasing importance in the structures of large centrally heated buildings, especially hospitals and high rise blocks of flats where it can be a serious public health pest. Remedy These ants are part.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Pigeons

Feral pigeons foul buildings, creating unwanted "stained glass" windows and "decorated" architecture. All sorts of pests may migrate from their nests into buildings. Originally descended from the wild Rock Dove, a cliff-face dweller, these birds.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Plaster Beetle

In a new house where plaster is still damp, or where damp plaster occurs in old property, very tiny, almost black beetles about 2mm long may be found. These are called plaster beetles. Remedy: The adults and larvae feed on microscopic.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Rats

Have you heard scuttling under the floorboards? Can you see signs of a potential rodent nesting site? And have you ever wondered what makes a mutant rat so “super”? Find out everything you need to know about rats in the UK, incl.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Red Spider Mites

Tiny, bright red specks, about 1mm across, sometimes move into buildings in large numbers. There are two species with several names, generally known as Red Spider Mites. Although they do no direct harm inside the house, if the mites are squashed.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Silverfish

A cigar-shaped, silver-grey, wingless insect about 12mm long, found in damp areas commonly in kitchens and bathrooms. Nocturnal in habit, but often trapped in baths, basins or chinaware as it cannot climb the smooth surfaces. Moves quickly and h.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Slugs

A well-known garden pest, Slugs will eat vegetation and are only occasionally found indoors, in damp areas such as cellars. Despite their appearance, Slugs are harmless and is only a minor agricultural/amenity pest. How to get rid of Slug.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Snakes

In the UK snakes are not dealt with as pests by an average pest control company as problems are not common and dealing with snakes requires particular skills. As stated in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is illegal to kill, injure or se.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Sparrows

Rarely a problem in domestic situations, but frequently an issue in commercial premises such as bakeries and warehouses. Sparrows can enter buildings through tiny gaps and, once in, are very difficult to remove. Remedy Proofing with ne.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Spider Beetles

A group of beetles with globular abdomens and relatively long legs, superficially resembling small spiders, 3-4mm long. General scavengers of all sorts of animal and vegetable debris and stored food, and frequently associated with old birds&rsqu.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Spiders

In the UK, native spiders are not considered dangerous, or a threat to health but some households suffer from ‘nuisance’ house spiders, and because of common fears (arachnophobia), many require pest control. If you require t.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Stable Flies

Closely resembles the Housefly, but this fellow bites. Uncommon indoors but breeds in long grass, straw or grass cuttings where there are horses or other animals. Remedy Apply an insect repellent to bare skin, especially legs, before g.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Starlings

Although a native to this country, our permanently resident starling population is swelled every autumn by migrants arriving from the Continent. Starlings may roost in their thousands on ledges on buildings and in trees in city centres. Their dr.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Termites

Social insects which may live in communities of many millions of individuals. In tropical and sub-tropical countries they are major pests of timber buildings. Not presently found in the UK but global warming may allow them to establish in the so.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Thrips

Also known as “thunder-flies”, tiny (1.5mm) insects, black with narrow, hairy wings. They feed on plant sap and on humid summer days they may occur in huge numbers on window sills and get into clothing and hair. Mainly an ag.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Ticks

Closely related to the mites, but much larger and reliant on vertebrate blood. They are occasionally brought into the house on domestic animals and can be picked up by humans after walking through long grass in an infested area. Ticks are implic.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Voles

Usually confused with Brown Rats, these small, blunt-nosed rodents can occasionally enter buildings, but normally live in outdoor burrows. Not regarded as a household pest, and in fact, some species such as the water vole are a protected species.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Wasps

Are you worried about wasp stings? Have you found a wasps’ nest? Learn all about wasp nest treatments in our ultimate wasp pest control guide. Get rid of wasps for good. If you’ve spotted lots of wasps and you’re worried.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Weevils

A term frequently misused to describe beetles in general, but is applicable only to a distinctive group of beetles with long, pointed “snouts” which they use for boring into whole grains, hard processed cereals such as pasta, and tim.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Wharf Borer

A brown beetle, about 1cm long, with pronounced antennae and a tendency to emerge from damp basements and fly about near rivers or estuaries in early summer. The grubs live in very decayed wet timber such as old jetties or wooden piles. These be.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Woodworm

A term used for the destructive larvae of the Common Furniture Beetle. The first sign of woodworm is the appearance of neat round holes, 2mm across, in wooden surfaces, often accompanied by tiny piles of wood dust beneath them. Fresh holes sho.... More

28 November 2017

Pest Advice for controlling Woodlice

Woodlice are one of the few land crustaceans. They have oval, grey, segmented bodies 10-15mm long, with 14 legs and prominent antennae. Common names include ‘slaters’, ‘sow-bugs’ and ‘pill-bugs’. Ther.... More

28 November 2017

Pest Advice for controlling Woolly Bears

The small hairy larvae of the carpet or fur beetles are known as "woolly bears". These small, oval beetles have outstripped the clothes moths as the major British textile pest. The larvae are small (about 4mm long), covered in brown hairs, and t.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Worms

Parasitic worms are a veterinary or medical problem but they are included here because some may be transmitted by rats, mice or certain insects. Threadworms are relatively common in dogs, cats and children. They are thin whitish wrigglers about.... More

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Yellow Swarming Fly

One of the species collectively known as Cluster Fly family. A small yellowish fly with black stripes on its back which sometimes invades attics or rarely-used rooms to hibernate in autumn. For more information, including control techni.... More

20 November 2017

PPC89 out now

Professional Pest Controller issue 89 is out now. The BPCA member and industry magazine is packed full of all the latest pest control news and features (November 2017). PPC magazine is made for our members, pest control professionals an.... More

20 November 2017

Everything changes but you

President foreword | PPC89 November 2017 What a year for BPCA! I guess this is why they say the only real constant is change.  The biggest ever PestEx, the first-ever industry awards (complete with our 75th year celebratio.... More

20 November 2017

Some final words, and a new chapter for BPCA

Cheid Exec viewpoint | PPC89 November 2017 Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you will know I’m leaving BPCA and the sector early in 2018 to take up a role with the National Association of Jewellers. (In answer to the two m.... More

20 November 2017

Seven years of Simon

Interview feature | PPC89 November 2017 After a hugely successful tenure as Chief Executive of the British Pest Control Association, Simon Forrester will be leaving his role with the Association in January of next year. We thought.... More

17 November 2017

Recruit a pest controller: From posting a job to hiring a new employee

Your business feature |  Looking at bringing a new pest management technician on board but don’t know where to start? We’ll go through the whole process and tell you all about the tools we offer to help you find your perfect.... More

17 November 2017

New York Rat Safari

Urban environment feature | PPC89 November 2017 Andy Beckmann organises one of the largest pest management trade shows in Europe, Pest-Protect. While researching other trade-shows around the world, Andy has seen many weird and wonderful.... More

17 November 2017

Don’t get replaced by a robot pest controller!

Technology feature | PPC89 November 2017 We’ve been talking about new technology in pest management lots over the last few issues. BPCA Technical Manager,  Dee Ward-Thompson investigates how we best protect our profession.... More

17 November 2017

The death of the Yellow Pages and the rise of Shirley Temple

Marketing and promotions feature | PPC89 November 2017 Telephone, telephone table, family address book, pen pot (complete with an assortment of random pens) and The Yellow Pages. These are what greeted most people entering their ho.... More

17 November 2017

New member benefit: Printshop

UPDATE The print shop is now open. Visit it here (main contact login required).  Marketing and promotions feature | PPC89 November 2017 Print is very much alive, but it has to be used in the right way. Print is potent.... More

17 November 2017

Quick marketing audits for every pest management company

Marketing and promotions feature | PPC89 November 2017 We get a lot of questions about how to market your pest control business. Content and Communications Officer, Scott Johnstone, spends more time looking at BPCA member’s web.... More