AquaServe UK provide a comprehensive pest control service for commercial and public sector clients outside and indoors. Their experience working around harbourage points for many common pests has given a unique insight into the ways nuisance species behave and interact, allowing AquaServe UK operatives to provide robust solutions and controls. AquaServe UK operatives are British Pest Control Association (BPCA) trained and are members of the BPCA, giving further assurance to the professional standards that AquaServe UK operate too. As well as simple control, a comprehensive inspection and monitoring service is offered utilising modern technology and established methods to ascertain the presence and population of pests.
Site Surveys & Investigations
Audits and inspections are essential to ensure that there is a robust plan to effectively manage pest control at any premise or location. In many locations, particularly those involved in the food industry, pest surveys and audits are an essential service.
AquaServe UK are BPCA registered and will work with you to ensure you receive the right surveys and investigation to meet your needs and ensure that pests do not become a problem. We look closely at the needs and risk of pest infestation and build a bespoke package to ensure that visits are well timed and ensure you receive a report after each visit to keep you fully notified of any finds. We can also undertake remote filming and use either technology to look for pests when none is present. We can also offer endoscopy, drone and confined space inspections where required.
AquaServe UK use generic uniforms and signwriting on vehicles that simply state ‘AquaServe UK’ to ensure that all visits are discreet and do not draw unnecessary attention to your premises.
Pest Proofing & Prevention
Pest infestations cause a great deal of inconvenience and expense and in some cases, can close a business down whilst the problem is dealt with. This is often unnecessary as many pest infestations can be prevented by good proofing and good hygiene procedures. Whilst food is the main attraction for most pests it is often the access to the food that determines if an infestation will occur, this is where robust pest proofing and prevention comes in.
AquaServe UK will always advise on the right pest proofing and prevention as part of the site survey or inspection and in most cases, we will be able to undertake proofing and prevention work that will further secure your premises. Harbourage is an important consideration when looking at pest control and our technicians will look at harbourage opportunities for pests and work with you to eliminate or reduce these.
Pest Drone Surveys
Pests usually go to great effort to remain concealed, and it is often only when numbers are so great, they can no longer remain hidden, that they are seen. This can make pest control a challenge as in low numbers, many pests will only be evidenced by faecal deposits or damage caused from feeding. The common problem here is where pests are in areas that are not readily accessible to inspect.
AquaServe UK employ modern equipment to look in the places that are often overlooked and can deploy arial drones, underground drones, endoscopy sets or trail cameras to locate pests or evidence of pests. It is this modern, innovative, technology that gives us an advantage in the control of pests.
Rats & Mice
Rats and mice are some of the most harmful pests and are increasing in numbers. Rat populations grew by 25% in 2020 alone. Rats and mice are typically attracted by food and will prosper in any location where there are plentiful food supplies. Rats and mice are relatively easy to control although the booming population means that often, ongoing control is needed to ensure that reinfestations do not occur.
Rats are well known for the spread of many diseases and are endemic across the UK in both rural and urban environments. AquaServe UK use specialised rodenticides to ensure that target species are treated and that all possible efforts are made to ensure that non target species are avoided. This includes the removal of dead rats and mice, wherever possible, to ensure that rodenticides do not infect raptors.
Wasps & Hornets
Wasps are one of the most obvious pests and one of the easiest to control. Whilst there is little can be done to stop than harassing people in parks and open spaces it is relatively quick and easy to treat and remove a nest. Wasp will nest in many locations including sheds, attics, trees, and cavities in brickwork. Don’t worry if you find an old nest, wasps do not return to a nest and will create a new one every year.
Hornets, whilst much less seen than wasps, do make their presence known due to their large size and loud buzzing noise. Hornets are part of the wasp family and will nest in a similar fashion, appearing in attics, trees and outbuilding. The species tend to be more discreet than wasps although if you start to notice a few around it is likely that there is a nest nearby.
Asian Hornets are now also starting to appear in the UK and should always be reported to DEFRA. Asian Hornets decimate honeybee colonies and can cause adverse reaction if stung.
False Widow Spiders
A new and emerging pest to the UK, False Widow Spiders have been recorded in many areas of the country including Northamptonshire and Leicestershire having spread from southern England where they are long established.
The False Widow spider is one of a few species known to bite humans although this is rare, and the resulting bite is typically comparable with a wasp sting. Allergic reactions are possible however that can cause a risk to life.
The species has been known to bite cats and dogs having greater impact on these and in rare cases causing death. The spider will prefer to live indoors in dark areas such as attics, basements and dark cupboards. They are most commonly seen in the autumn however as they venture away from their usual spot to find a mate.
Goose Control
Geese can cause a great deal of harm to water quality in lakes and ponds as well as overgraze the areas, defecate on paths and surfaces and display aggressive behaviours to people and dogs during when nesting and raising young.
In most cases deterring the geese is the best solution but in public areas, where the birds are used to human activity and dogs, the geese will be confident to stay. In such circumstances trying to cut off their food supply to encourage them may have some effect but options are limited, and in these circumstances, culling is rarely an option.
A preferred method that has good long-term success on resident birds is to treat the eggs to stop these hatching. Under licence from Natural England, it is usually possible to gain permission to treat goose eggs and, in our experience, this has had good long-term success with hatchlings bird numbers halving each year and adults being deterred from nesting.
Pigeon Control
One of our more prevalent pest species, feral pigeons can cause a great deal of mess as well as spread common diseases including Cryptococcus, Chlamydia psittaci, E. Coli and salmonella, amongst many others which, in some cases have caused long term illness and fatalities.
It is difficult to remove pigeon from any location and their preference for inhabiting and nesting in buildings mimics their ancestor’s preference for living on cliffs. This, and readily available abundant food sources ensures that this species is common in towns and cities across the UK.
Because eradication is impossible, it is down to the proofing of building and deterrent that will control numbers and reduce populations. Ideally, where possible, access to food should also be removed. Pigeon control is demanding work as pigeons will nest on the most inaccessible of ledges and in may cases, access platform are the only way to reach these areas to proof them against birds, something AquaServe UK is fully trained to undertake.
Squirrel Control
Whilst beloved by many, the grey squirrel cause havoc in woodlands damaging and killing trees by stripping bark from them leaving the trees exposed. They are not always confined to woodlands though and in some cases will visit attics where woodwork insulation and plasterboard is damaged to make a nest and wiring damaged by their sharp teeth.
As with many pests, especially where ingress to then property occurs, prevention is the best remedy and making sure that squirrels cannot enter is usually achievable. In outside areas, squirrel trapping is often successful although this will need to be maintained as squirrels will quickly move into areas where there are gaps in the population.
In recent times, as pine martens recolonise old habitats, grey squirrel numbers are reducing as these elusive and efficient predators’ prey on grey squirrels. In most areas however squirrels will remain a problem for a time to come.
Mole Control
Moles, in most cases, are an inconvenience, ruining lawn areas and leaving unsightly hill on grasses areas but in some instances the damages caused by moles is far more significant. Where earth dams are used to retain water the dam, whilst immensely strong, relies on the counterbalance of the earth bund for its integrity. When this is burrowed, this can compromise the stability of the dam, leading to costly repairs.
Moles are one of the few pests where proofing and deterrents are of little value and even the ultrasonic mole revellers, seen in many a magazine advert, show very little proof of deterring moles. In this instance trapping or even gassing is the only reliable method of control. AquaServe UK are well equipped to trap and control moles, especially in where structural issue are a concern.
Other Insects
There are many species of insects that can cause infestation and hygiene problems, that you need to have controlled or eradicated. Species including ants, flies, fruit flies, fleas, bedbugs, silverfish, flies, cockroaches, beetles or moths can all cause infestation problems, whether in industrial, commercial or residential premises.
Our technicians are well equipped and skilled to deal with almost any common insect and can implement eradication and control measures, as well as offer recommendations to ensure that there is no reinfestation. If you have any pest problem leas speak to AquaServe UK, we are British Pest Control Association trained and certified.
Other Animals
Pest come in all shapes and sizes and can wreak havoc in the wrong environment. AquaServe UK are well equipped to deal with almost any pest, mammal or bird. This may include catching feral cats, trapping foxes or other animals including mink. We can also assist with proofing or control of other birds including seagulls and corvids.
In most instances they best method of control is proofing but where this isn’t a robust enough solution, we can use humane traps to capture the animal without harm or injury. Please speak to our British Pest Control Association certified technicians to provide the best solution for your pest control needs.
