Pests

Rodents

Why have I got Rodents?

Quite simply because there is a way in for them. Mice can squeeze through a gap as small as 7mm.

As both Rats and Mice are remarkably adaptable to almost any environment, and their ability to live commensally with humans, the Rat and mouse are regarded to be the second and third most successful mammalian species living on Earth today, after humans.

Unlike many mammals, Rats and Mice do not have to wait until the original litter is weaned and the female has stopped giving milk before producing a new litter.

Gnawing is part of the common behaviour of rodents. Almost any kind of material can be gnawed and the rodents do not only do this for the search of food and water, they have to constantly gnaw to keep their incisors (teeth) at a required length to enable them to feed and live.

Wild Rats living in urban areas may suffer from poor diets, internal parasites and mites. Rodents have also been known to carry diseases such as tuberculosis, salmonella, gastro- enteritis, rat bite fever, leptospirosis (Weil's disease) and numerous others.

Armour uses the most effective and up to date products and methods for controlling Rodents. Along with recommendations that we provide on our treatment reports we aim to eradicate all Rodent infestations.

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Cockroaches

Throughout London and Essex there are two main species of cockroaches Armour have to treat all year round which are the Oriental Cockroach and German Cockroach

Cockroaches can occasionally be seen in the day, especially if there is large population or if they have been disturbed. However, sightings are most commonly reported in the evening hours as this is when they are most active.

The German cockroach is a small species of cockroach, measuring 12-15mm long. It can be tan through brown to almost black, and has two dark parallel streaks running from the head to the base of the wings. Although it has wings, it is unable to sustain flight.

The German cockroach is very successful at establishing an ecological niche in buildings. This is due to the large number of nymphs produced from each egg case, the short period between birth and sexual maturity, and their ability to easily hide due to their small size.

The Oriental cockroach is a large species of cockroach, measuring about 25-30mm in length at maturity. It is dark brown to black in colour and has a glossy body.

The Oriental cockroach tends to travel somewhat more slowly than other species. They are often called “waterbugs” since they prefer dark, moist places. They can often be found around decaying organic matter, and in sewers, drains, damp basements, porches, and other damp locations.

The Oriental cockroach will travel a lot more on the ground because unlike the German cockroach it finds it more difficult to climb.

Armour uses a variety of gel baits and advanced insecticides which makes the treatments extremely effective to both species of cockroach in commercial and domestic buildings.

Armour deals with cockroaches on a day to day basis and when faced with an infestation we can not only control the situation we will also discuss on a one to one basis the best action and treatment to eradicate the problem.

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The Grey Squirrel

Although many people regard squirrels as an attractive part of urban wildlife, they can be a nuisance when they cause damage in gardens. More serious problems may be experienced when squirrels find their way into lofts and roof voids where apart from the disturbance caused by their nocturnal activities, damage to woodwork and insulation material and the gnawing of electrical cables can occur. These acts can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Armour provides a series of treatments where we lay down traps to catch the squirrels and we then remove them from your property. Armour will also provide recommendations to block off any areas we find that the squirrels may be using for access and egress, this will also prevent any future squirrels.

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Bed Bugs

With a global increase in bed bug incidents in the region of 500% year on year London and Essex are currently experiencing a massive influx of bed bugs and early detection is the key to rapid eradication. Bed Bugs may be commonly associated with filth in the mistaken notion that this attracts them. However, severe infestations are often associated with poor housekeeping and clutter. Bed bugs are attracted by exhaled carbon dioxide and body heat, not by dirt and they feed on blood not waste. In short, the cleanliness of their environments has effect on the control of bed bugs but unlike cockroaches does not have a direct effect on bed bugs as they feed on their hosts and not on waste. Good house keeping in association with proper preparation and mechanical removal by vacuuming will certainly assist in control.

Adult bed bugs are reddish brown, flattened, oval and wingless with microscopic hairs that give them a banded appearance. A common misconception is that they are not visible to the naked eye. Adults grow 4 to 5mm in length and do not move quickly enough to escape the notice of an attentive observer. Newly hatched nymphs are translucent, lighter in colour and continue to become browner and moult as they reach maturity. When it comes to size they are often compared to lentils.

Bed bug bites may be found in a variety of places on the body. Patterns of bites in a row or a cluster are typical as they may be disturbed while feeding.

It is common for people to try and deal with bed bug infestations prior to contacting a professional but this can be a major fault when dealing with an infestation. It is thought that bed bugs will just get into the bed base or mattress but they will get into all areas and the only way to deal with them is to get professional help.

Armour will treat bed bug infestations using a water based insecticide spray treatment this is the most effective method of eradication of the bed bug. This will be used in all the infested areas and then the room will need to be vacated for at least 2 to 4 hours to ensure that the insecticide can work into the required areas and settle. All infested items such as bedding and clothing will then be required to be washed at 60 degrees or dry cleaned before being put away.

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Feral Pigeons

Feral pigeons have developed from the rock dove, dovecote and domestic pigeons. They are increasing in numbers in town centres where they have adapted well to the artificial cliffs of  buildings. They depend largely on the public for food and due to this dependence, they have become a pest fouling buildings, pavements, parklands, gardens, contaminating food stores, transmitting diseases and causing health and safety problems. They rely mainly on scraps of bread, cakes and birdseed etc given to them by the general public.

Feral Pigeons carry many diseases and give rise to chlamydosis, crytococcosis, campylobacter, salmonellosis, erysipelas, pigeon fanciers’ lung and histoplasmosis.  Various organisms and insects can be associated with birds, their nests and there droppings including beetles, moths, mites, flies and ticks.

Feral Pigeon fouling on buildings and monuments frequently occurs at places where they roost and nest. The acidic droppings react with chemicals in the stonework causing erosion of the surfaces. Accumulations of droppings can become infested with biting insects.

There are many bird proofing systems which can comprise of nets, spikes or wires to prevent birds gaining access to buildings or areas. For larger areas, even complete and complex roofs can be proofed with netting to completely exclude birds. Naturally, the areas of a building vulnerable to nesting and roosting birds are often difficult to reach. At Armour we use our own specially trained rope-access teams, who can reach inaccessible areas avoiding the use of scaffolding.

Removing and cleaning up bird fouling is a job that needs to be carried out by a professional. Bird fouling is unsightly, unsanitary and poses a health and safety risk. Its acidic matter causes damage to the fabric of buildings which, in turn, leads to higher cleaning and repair bills.

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Wasps

Never attempt to destroy a wasp yourself. If you find a nest keep well away, there can be thousands of workers in a
fully formed nest and all of them can sting.

The bright yellow and black striping of wasps is a warning pattern to prospective predators such as birds and humans that the insect is venomous and best left alone.
They will show aggression when disturbed around the nest-site or close to well used entrances and walk-ways, may become especially troublesome.

Armour will locate the nest or entry points that the wasps are using and will carry out a dust treatment which will destroy the nest completely.

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Garden Ants

Garden ants frequently build there nests in the insulation layers of houses and from there they penetrate up into the house itself through the cracks which inevitably appear in the concrete and cement.
When garden ants get into the house it will soon be seen that they are particularly attracted to sweet substances. As soon as one ant has found the food source it then returns to the nest at the same time laying a pheromone (scent) trail once back at the nest then it lets them know what they have found, once this has happened the whole nest goes to the site to feed and take food back to the nest.

Armour will carry out a survey where we detect where the ants may be coming in from and what food sources the ants are feeding from. Armour will also provide a crack and crevice spray using effective insecticide to kill off the nest completely.

Other Pests

Armour also provides treatments for all other pests such as Common Clothes Moth, Pharaohs Ants, Fleas, Beetles and more. All of our office staff, surveyors and technicians can provide you with information about these pests and the treatment methods available.

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