So perhaps it is time to promote the positive about pigeons and to even illustrate how heroic (yes, heroic!) these birds have been in the past.

The theme of pigeons as a vital and reliable messenger service, prior to our modern age of emails, texts and instant messaging, is a recurring one throughout history.

Pigeon as war heros –feral pigeons were used extensively during the World Wars to carry important messages across enemy lines, helping to save thousands of lives. They were even carried on ships so that in the case of an attack the pigeon could be released to carry information about the exact location of the sinking ship, to try to rescue survivors in time.

Bravery award for pigeons – the French awarded a pigeon named Cher Ami (Dear Friend) the Croix de Guerre for heroic services in WWI.  G.I. Joe, a famous pigeon in the United States Army Pigeon Service, was awarded the Dickin Medal for helping to save the lives of the inhabitants of an Italian village and the British troops occupying it, which was about to be bombarded by the Allied Forces.

Pigeons in the news – did you know that the history of Thomson Reuters, the world’s largest international multimedia news agency, can be traced back to the use of a combination of technology and a fleet of carrier pigeons that numbered above 200 by 1851, carrying vital stock market information across Europe.

Racing pigeons – the hobby of pigeon racing brings a great deal of fun to many people’s lives and its popularity led to the establishment of the American Racing Pigeon Union. Homing pigeons were first introduced to the United States from Europe in the 1800s and they are often raced across very long distances from 100miles to 600miles. A racing pigeon once sold for a record breaking $132,517.00

Prized pigeon droppings – although no longer valued in our modern society, once upon a time pigeon poo was a valuable commodity and regarded as a fantastic fertilizer of crops. In England it was even used for making gunpowder.

So, the next time we start to complain about pigeons and reach for the phone to arrange for pigeon control, let’s bear in mind all the good pigeons have done for us humans and continue to do so today – perhaps it may help to clam down some of our stress levels when dealing with a problem. No guarantees though!

Pigeons Get Too Much Bad Press is a post from: deBugged - The Rentokil Blog

Seagulls are always present in any seaside town I find myself in and guaranteed I will hear their unique cries from afar long before I actually see them.

Surprisingly (for me at least) I recently came across some interesting seagull related information, which I thought would be worth sharing with you all.

• Gulls or Seagulls – most people tend to incorrectly call all gulls as seagulls. This is incorrect. Quite a few species of gulls actually inhabit inland and they very rarely fly far out to sea either.

• Not all gulls are pests – just like not all birds are pests. I imagine homes and businesses in coastal towns would consider gulls as a real pest but the vast majority of species inhabit the wild without clashing with people. Spare a thought for the residents of a New Jersey townhouse development having to cope with a recent influx of thousands of seagulls – the development looks like a scene out of The Birds. They could certainly do with some urgent seagull control solutions! Only a small number of gulls species are recognised as being pest birds — Greater black–backed gull, the Lesser black–backed gull and the Herring gull.

• Seagulls can drink both fresh and salt water. Apparently most animals could not survive drinking just sea water / saltwater but seagulls have a special pair of glands right above their eyes which help to flush out the salt from their system. This ability makes it possible for them to spend days out at sea without the need to return to land for fresh water.

• Bonaparte’s Gull – the name of this particular species caught my attention. Who would name a gull after Napoleon? but actually this gull is named after his nephew, Charles Lucien Bonaparte, who apparently was an influential ornithologist in the 1800s. More strangely though, this is only one of a very few species of gull that prefer to nest in trees.

• State bird of Utah – the California gull, Larus californicus, is the state bird of Utah. Seagulls are remembered in Utah for helping the Mormon settlers deal with a plague of crickets. A monument in Salt Lake City commemorates the event, known as the ‘Miracle of the Gulls’.

• Seagull guitars – ever heard of these? Well, you will have if you are a guitar enthusiast. Seagull is a Canadian company that produces hand crafted acoustic guitars. I haven’t yet found out the reason for the seagull name though. There’s got to be some sort of connection to the birds though, right?!

Gulls or Seagulls – Some Quite Interesting Facts is a post from: deBugged - The Rentokil Blog

I have just had my third routine visit from my local exterminator. It has been eight days since his last visit, when he laid down more bait, and we have not heard any noises in our attic for the past six days – so we were quietly optimistic.

Upon inspecting his bait boxes he could clearly see visible teeth marks in the bait – so there is one rat at least probably not feeling too healthy! He said there is still no obvious smell of rodents. A dead rat stinks apparently. He said if we notice lots of flies, which would be attracted to a dead rodent, we should call him, so he can dispose of the rat for us.

Also, another interesting fact: rats will eat dead rats! This is why you can continue to have a problem with rats, and no obvious smell, if the dead ones are being consumed by the live ones – pretty gross!

If a rat smells the presence of another rat, he assumes that environment is safe for him to enter also – another reason why it’s important to get rid of rats, so as not to encourage any more.

Also, did I not say it is very easy to blame the neighbours for your pest problem in my first post? Well, this has in fact turned out to be the case. We are all convinced the rats are coming into our roof space from next door. All the bait being eaten is located next to the shared roof wall with our neighbours.

Our exterminator suspects that the place where our roof joists enter into the brick wall with our neighbours could be a possible entry point, but even he admitted it is very difficult to tell how they are getting in exactly – rats can be very cunning!

He did give us one tip: if we notice any potential holes up there we should use a combination of wire wool and builders foam to block the access. Rats can chew through builders foam, but they don’t like the wire wool as it breaks their teeth, so a combination of both could be a better deterrent.

We have also found out that our neighbours have had a rat problem for a while, but they were dealing with it using DIY pest control products. I told our exterminator this, who said that this could be counter-productive to his efforts.

Apparently DIY baits available from hardware stores are often tastier to rats then the more toxic baits professional exterminators are licensed to use. The risk is that the rats will fill their bellies with the tastier DIY bait and not eat any of the more toxic bait, which is far more likely to dispose of the rodent. I am pleased to say though that this has not happened in our case.

For the moment, we are all happy that we may have dealt with the current rat problem successfully. It is important to continue to be very vigilant, because as long as our neighbours continue to have their fish ponds, a rat problem is likely to re-occur. And, as long as we don’t discover the entry point from the neighbour’s property into ours, our attic remains vulnerable.

We are just hoping for a rat-free Christmas!

Getting Rid of Rats in My Attic is a post from: deBugged - The Rentokil Blog

I pointed out the roof area in our master bedroom, where we can hear the noise. He then happened to look outside our window and saw that in the back garden of our next door neighbour’s house there are two very large fish ponds.

We know the owner is a carp fish enthusiast – some of his fish are very valuable. When we moved in we were pretty impressed to see the ponds. Not once did we connect the fact that a constant water source is just as attractive to rats as a food source.

My exterminator informed me that rats consume approximately 30mg of food and 60ml of water per day. So when he saw those fish ponds, he thought we were very likely dealing with rats. That is not what I wanted to hear.

He added that my local area has a far greater problem with rats and mice. He spends the majority of his working day dealing with rats and he had spent the earlier part of the day in other people’s lofts, who had reported a similar problem – again, not really what I wanted to hear!

When he got into my loft he said that there was no obvious smell of the presence of rats – apparently they give off a distinctive ammonia-like smell. So, we may only be dealing with an individual loner rat or maybe two. Either way the important thing is to catch them before they have the opportunity to produce babies.

On further inspection of the loft, he discovered a reasonable size tunnel in the lagging by our water tank, located roughly in the area where we can hear the noise. This then re-confirmed that we are not dealing with bats or squirrels as they do not tunnel in that way.

Then, as if on cue, we could hear the familiar scratching and scurrying noise whilst he was still up there. But we could not see anything, and he did not find any evidence of droppings, which is obviously another sign of rats.

And now a word of advice about boarding your loft.

This is generally a good idea and prevents any possible risk of your leg going through the ceiling whilst you are up the

re. However, if ever you have a pest problem, it may become a hindrance! There is the possibility that our rat is underneath the floor boards, running around having a brilliant time under the cover of darkness!

There may be a chance that we will have to pull up the floorboards eventually, but we are happy to do that if it means there is a better chance of locating our furry pest!

In the meantime powerful baits have been left at either end of the discovered tunnel and at other points in our loft. Our exterminator will be coming back next week, to check for any signs of consumption. He also checked the outside of our home but could not find any obvious entry points.

I woke up this morning and I did not hear anything, and I thought that perhaps our rat had already eaten the bait – but sadly this hope lasted but a few mere seconds. The familiar noise from our loft became audible again.

Will continue to keep you all posted after the next visit – fingers crossed!

There Is A Rat In My Loft! is a post from: deBugged - The Rentokil Blog

And that is where I find myself today. My local pest control technician is coming out to investigate my loft. He assured me if there are rats or mice up there, he will be able to smell them. Which is just as well, as being a rhinitis sufferer, my sense of smell is non-existent. Of course, he did suggest it could be squirrels, which wouldn’t be quite so bad.

In fact, that brings me onto the question, which pest (if you HAD to have one in your loft) would you prefer: bats, rats, mice or squirrels? Well, my husband and I both agreed, we would much prefer bats to rodents. Of course I know that in the UK they are legally protected and it is a criminal offence if you:

1. Deliberately capture, injure or kill a bat.
2. Intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat in its roost or deliberately disturb a group of bats.
3. Damage or destroy a bat roosting place (even if bats are not occupying the roost at the time).
4. Possess or advertise/sell/exchange a bat (dead or alive) or any part of a bat.
5. Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to a bat roost.

My living nightmare started two nights ago, when we first heard scurrying noises in the part of the loft, directly above our master bedroom. If you had to choose a nice sound to lull you to sleep, it is often dolphin music or something similar from mother nature, instead we had to contend with scratching noises and the pitter-patter of feet running in the loft void above our heads. It certainly was not calming!

Of course, my husband and I are now trying to work out how the pest – whatever it will turn out to be – gained access into our property in the first place.

Possible access points for pests:

1 – Air vents: we do have several air vents in the outside bricks of our house and we have never had them void-filled – ooops!

2 – Roof: we have never checked very closely to see if there are any small holes in the roof, which could provide access. My husband has been up there on the ladder to clear the gutters once a year but that is it. I smugly pointed out to him that actually a mouse can squeeze through a hole no bigger than a biro – as fascinating as this fact may be, it certainly did not help move our discussion along!

3 – Adjoining property: always easier to blame someone else for your problem, but the fact is even if you have defended your home against pests to a military standard, if your adjoining neighbour’s property has not done the same, pests could gain access to your home through theirs!

4 – Bird feeders – I have complained about this before. Our neighbour feeds the birds regularly but not just by leaving food on the bird table but also by throwing bread onto the grass – I know this can encourage the local vermin. Although not directly to blame for pests in my house, they certainly increase the potential risk factor!

So, I suppose the lesson here is not to become complacent. Just because I have been able to educate myself on common pests and pest control by working in this industry for the past four years, does not mean I should not practice what I preach.

Anyway, let’s see what my friendly exterminator finds in my loft later today. Will keep you posted folks!

Are There Rats or Mice in My Loft? is a post from: deBugged - The Rentokil Blog

It sounded a bit like a science-fiction term and so I was trying to keep up with the conversation whilst racking my brain as to how this could possibly fit in with pest control.

And then the penny dropped….or should that be nickel?

It seems this US name is their equivalent of our own casual intruders – though I suspect neither term makes much sense to a non-pest control person.

Simply put, it is a collective name that refers to a group of (typically) insects that may occasionally or casually invade our homes from time to time – now you see the connection, right?

In this particular instance, occasional invaders refers to the following insects:

• Crickets
• Ground beetles
• Boxelder bugs
• Ladybugs
• Earwigs
• Millipedes

Thankfully, these insects are mostly harmless and only cause irritation through their presence in the home, rather than causing any damage or spreading disease.

The cricket can however cause damage to fabrics including silk, wool, synthetics  (particularly viscose, triacetate and acetate). Clothing soiled with perspiration are highly attractive to crickets and unlike clothing moth holes, crickets chew large holes in fabrics they take an interest in. You have been warned!

The advice to homeowners who may already have these pests in their home is to use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of them, or to employ the catch and release method.

To prevent these pests in the first place, the usual advice is to:

• Inspect your property for any potential entry points
• Seal exterior cracks and crevices
• Ensure windows and door frames seal tightly
• Install door sweeps to tighten the gap at the base of doorways
• Inspect plants before bringing them inside

Am sure that having read this email you will all now be eager to go and inspect your crawl spaces, basements and doorways to prepare your homes to withstand occasional invader insects! Good luck!

Occasional Invaders, Not Space Invaders is a post from: deBugged - The Rentokil Blog

And I am not just talking about bed bugs, though due to all the headline attention this creepy crawly got last year, especially in the state of New York, it is still the first pest that most people would associate with hotels.

However, most conscientious hotel managers also have to consider the risks of other pest invasions from:

• flies
• rats
• mice
• roaches

A customized hotel pest control program, can greatly benefit small and large hotels. Offering a complete pest service – from prevention to elimination – and crucial pest awareness training for front line staff, ensures prompt action at the first sign of any pests.

The most efficient integrated pest management service programs for hotels should contain targeted pest control solution for every area of a hotel, as each hotel zone faces different pest challenges.

In the kitchen for example, the risk of food contamination from flies and rodents, with all the readily available food, is very high, making mouse control and fly control a crucial element of pest prevention in the kitchen area.

A mixture of bird control and wildlife management should be considered for the exterior of any hotel to prevent pest infestations and to minimize possible entry points from the outdoors to the indoors.

In guest rooms, the number one fear of any hotel owner is bed bugs. There are many bed bug control solutions offered, from the use of bed bug dogs for early detection  to the use of specialized heat treatment, which enables a speedy and chemical-free extermination.

A good pest control company will offer bed bug inspections as part of their regular service program, recognizing the huge pest threat bed bugs pose to the hospitality business.

So, if a hotel is serious about protecting its brand reputation and about pest control, then an integrated pest management service program is the best option. This will ensure a consistent proactive pest management approach based on specific pest threats and customized to the hotel.

Hotel Pest Control Is Not Just About Bed Bugs is a post from: deBugged - The Rentokil Blog

But if you are willing to dig deeper, as I did, you will learn about many other varied products, ranging from gel repellents, to electrical wires to hazing and fogging systems.

News stories of planes crash landing due to an unlucky encounter with birds, usually brings home the importance of bird control. The only such incident that I can clearly recall in my lifetime is that of US flight 1549, which crash landed into the icy waters of the Hudson river in January 2009. It turned the pilot into a national hero, justifiably so, as his quick reactions saved everyone on board. It turns out that within 1 minute 37 seconds after takeoff, the aircraft struck a flock of geese at 2,700 feet, which took out both engines of the plane. This, of course, is an extreme example.

Bird Control Solutions

I think most people believe that pest birds are not really a big issue and perhaps consider mouse control to be far more important. Maybe this is because birds don’t necessarily invade our homes like mice – though you could be unlucky to find birds nesting in your attic.

The vast range of bird control solutions can be split into two categories: behavioural or physical. Physical modifications include the use of products, which physically deter birds nesting on your property. Behavioural modifications use products, which try to alter the behaviour of birds by actively trying to deter them from their desire to nest on your property.

Physical Modifications include:

• Bird netting – strategically placed bird netting to deter birds roosting on your property. Available in all sizes to suit requirement.
• Bird spikes – ideal for placing on signs, gutters, roofs and take up the place where birds would otherwise want to roost.
• Bird wire – ideal for exposed ledges
• Bird exclusions – options include vent covers and chimney caps

Behavioural Modifications include:

• Electrical wire deterrent – this system emits a mild electrical jolt when a bird lands. It is not harmful to the birds but is an effective deterrent.
• Hazing system – this emits a transparent haze, which birds find irritating and uncomfortable. It is not harmful to birds.
• Gel repellents – these tactile repellents involve the use of a sticky, transparent gel, which birds find uncomfortable on their feet. It will hopefully prevent them roosting in the same site again.
• Turf repellents – the use of non-toxic liquid sprayed onto grass to deter geese specifically from grazing in a certain area
• Sonic dispersal system – a sound producing device used to deter birds away from your property.
• Overhead grid systems – stainless steel wires installed in a checkerboard pattern to eliminate the possibility of birds landing on your property.

The choice can be overwhelming, but trained professionals can help you decide on the best solution for your unique bird problem.

Choosing The Right Bird Control Solution is a post from: deBugged - The Rentokil Blog

In this part of Italy, the countryside is awash with olive groves, as was the grounds of our villa. Here, fig trees grow like weeds and the standard of Italian driving is even more questionable than in the much larger and more northern cities of Milan and Rome.

As has been mentioned in numerous earlier blogs, you are never far from pests, even on holiday. All four of us received numerous bug bites throughout the day and never figured out the cause. Thankfully, we did not have problems with mosquitoes (we were prepared with sprays and plug-in devices), though my husband claims to have squashed two in our bathroom during the early hours of one morning. All the windows had a fine mesh on the outside to deter flying insects and we kept the doors closed throughout the day to keep our trulli cool and to keep out the bugs.

There were lots of ants though on the lovely paving surrounding the pool, benefiting from all the crumbs we dropped on the floor during our snacks. The ants looked distinctively different in Italy, they seemed to have a longer body. On the other hand, some of the flies were really quite tiny.

Yellow jackets were a problem every time we had food or drinks outdoors. Most lunch times we ate outside under a large canopy overlooking our pool. The one wasp, which was the cause of much frustration seemed to be attracted to salami more than anything else, and in particular to the fat on the prosciutto.

Puglia was as beautiful as I had expected. Thankfully this part of Italy is not overflowing with tourists and retains its traditional charm and it means I didn’t have to complain about tourists getting in the way of my photographs.

If you are interested in diving, the town of Polignano a Mare, where we stopped for lunch on our first day, is right on the Adriatic coast, and hosts the Cliff Diving Championships- where crazy people dive of sheer rock faces into the crystal clear turquoise colour of the Adriatic. Its well worth a visit!

Olive Groves, Fig Trees and Bug Bites! is a post from: deBugged - The Rentokil Blog

Here are a few crazy ones I have come across recently, which may raise a few eyebrows:

Termites eat through wood two times faster when listening to rock music – all I can say is I wish I could have been there at that experiment, sounds much more fun than the science projects I had in college! I doubt this is scientifically proven, but apparently termites are very sensitive to and really enjoy vibrations and rock music does have bucket loads of that!

Termites never sleep – This is true apparently and means they are working 24/7 eating through the wood in your property. So, it would be wise to get a free termite inspection asap!

Termites are responsible for global warming – this is true too. A by-product of a termite’s digestion is methane, a greenhouse gas. And all this time we blamed our poor cows – I am very sorry!

Termites taste like Brazil nuts – It seems in some countries, like Africa, humans also eat termites – roasted, dried and even fried. It is a cheap source of protein. Not sure you can say this is a fact, as everyone has different tastes, but thank goodness, they did not say it tastes like chicken, which is what everything supposedly tastes of! (Danusia wrote a post about entomophagy, the practice of eating insects)

Anteaters prefer termites to ants – well, it is true that they feed on both termites and ants but I have not come across any scientific research talking about their true preference.

Would be interested to hear any other crazy facts or fiction about termites!

Do Termites Like Rock Music? is a post from: deBugged - The Rentokil Blog