• Ants
Ants are one of the most difficult pests to control and one of the worst household pests. With the main colonies divided into several smaller sub-colonies, which can include several hundred Queens. Multiple colonies have the tendancey to connect making one giant colony of ants, which can cover several hundred square feet. Their main food source is sweet honeydew produced by aphids and mealybugs. Aphids are attracted to vegetation such as fruit trees and certain types of flowers, such as roses.

• Bees and Wasps
With one queen the colonies starts small, unattended they can grow to become a formidable nuisance. These Yellow Jackets will aggressively attack when their nest is disturbed, and can inflict painful stings. Unlike the honeybee, which stings only one time and then dies, a single Yellow Jacket can sting many times. Yellow Jackets are scavengers and can be beneficial when located in a wooded area or a field.

Yellow Jackets prefer to locate their nests in the ground, usually in an old rodent burrow or similar hole. This wasp also commonly locates its nest inside the walls of a home by entering through cracks or holes in the outside walls.

• Rodents
Rats and mice are commensal pests; they successfully co-habit with humans, eating whatever food they can find and sharing the shelter of our buildings. Rodents contaminate more food than they eat and in so doing, many diseases are transmitted. Dealing with this problem involves consideration of all control procedures, including sanitation and hygiene, trapping, proofing of entry points and the use of baiting procedures. We are aware of all concerns when dealing with such pests, and we exercise the highest priority regarding safety and care for the environment.

• Cockroaches
The omnivorous appetite of cockroaches makes any unprotected foodstuffs susceptible to cockroach infestation and contamination. Their indiscriminate feeding in such areas as sewers, drains and garbage areas bring them in contact with disease organisms including salmonella and other organisms associated with dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis and tuberculosis.

Control of an infestation starts with inspection of the entire premises to identify the species and assess the infestation. A control program is then put in place. Recent preparations developed for cockroach control are of low mammalian toxicity and do not persist in the environment.

• Scorpions
They crawl into buildings through exterior cracks in search of food or suitable shelter. Scorpions tend to find their way into small spaces like shoes. The most common way of getting stung is by stepping on them.

• Spiders
As with other insects, spiders do have a place within our eco system. There are a number of reasons that spiders do become pests to us, the most obvious one being the fact that in the Southwest we have the most dangerous of spiders – the Brown Recluse & the Black Widow. There are specific ways in which to control spiders that have become pests – the procedures require the correct application and methods in order to have lasting effect.

• Fleas
Fleas are parasites of warm blooded animals, particularly dogs and cats but they also bite humans. There are over 2000 flea species. A flea population can build up quite rapidly, and if you have an existing or potential flea infestation, we recommend that all of the procedures of control be followed. In order to reduce the risk of reinfestation after treatment, pet bedding should be washed or replaced and the pet should be treated with an appropriate product on the advice of your veterinarian. Should the problem be a difficult one we are able to make an assessment and put measures in place that will have good effect within a short space of time.

• Fabric Pests
Includes silverfish, clothes moths and carpet beetles. Except for the silverfish, the main food constituent sought after by fabric pests is a protein substance called Keratin – present in fibres of animal original such as wool. Silverfish prefer to eat substances of plant origin such as cotton, cellulose and starch. The control procedures and treatment of these pests vary, please consult us so that the problem is cleared to your satisfaction.

• Birds
Within the Southwest region, we generally derive a great deal of pleasure from the presence of our bird life. However there are situations where the birds become pests and it is necessary to keep them away from certain areas. We have various proven methods that effectively act as pest bird deterrents. Our experience in dealing with all types of pest bird problems extends from within commercial premises to rural or domestic situations. Once the initial problem has been solved, we will also advise on ensuring that the problem does not return over time. All our methods of ‘pest bird control’ are considered humane and sanctioned by the S.P.C.A.

• Crickets
Crickets tend to feed on other pests and vegetation. Each species has a distinctive chirp. All crickets are jumpers. They will invade the home, garage, or any area that provides a safe environment. Burrowing is a very common behavior of this pest and are most commonly found in shrubs, grassy areas, under stones or boards, or sometimes in trees.