https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/contactus daily 0.75 2020-09-17 https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/privacy-policy daily 0.75 2020-09-16 https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/mice daily 0.75 2020-09-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5d010a5484d50480b8d0ab/1600298948431-VNSXLFD6X7GAGG798SQL/Field+Mouse.jpg Mice - Mice Can you hear the pitter-patter of tiny footsteps behind the skirting? Does Tom keep bringing Jerry in from the garden? 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. Mice are small mammals of the order Rodentia. Although commonly identified as pests, some are bred and kept as pets. Globally there are hundreds of types of mouse, including varieties such as the deer mouse (Peromyscus), house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus), wood/field mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), Edible dormouse (Glis glis), spiny mouse (Acomys) and even the striped zebra mouse (Lemniscomys). The dangers: why we control mice Although mice are often considered to be cute by some people, they are a public health pest and can cause serious harm. Mice have been known to spread nasty diseases - such as Salmonella and Listeria - to humans through their urine, droppings and bedding. Mice have a need to mark their territory with their urine and due to their sporadic eating habits, build nests near food sources. This puts anyone with an infestation at risk of food poisoning. As they scurry around, they carry dirt and bacteria with them, transferring it to your counter tops, cabinets, pantry and anywhere else they travel. These nibbling nuisances can also cause a lot of property damage, due to their compulsive need to gnaw to maintain their teeth at a constant length. Electric cables, water and gas pipes, packaging and woodwork may all be seriously damaged by mice - many instances of electrical fires and floods have been attributed to them. Mice around businesses Property and land owners have a legal obligation under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 to keep premises rodent free, or, if rodents pose a threat to health or property, to report infestations to the local authority. Owners of food businesses also have obligations to keep premises pest free under the Food Safety Act 1990. Environmental Health Officers or General Enforcement Officers can issue enforcement notices to business owners who don’t have adequate pest management procedures in place. If not complied with, these can lead to fines or even a stint in jail and a criminal record. And if a company or organisation has a highly publicised mouse problem, then it will heavily impact its reputation. If clients and customers spot evidence of rodent infestation in the premises you manage, they are unlikely to want to do business with you. And several widely shared social media posts can help spread a negative image. Types of mice in the UK In regards to pest management, there are two common types of mouse in the UK to be aware of: House mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) Field mouse or wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). If you come into contact with a mouse, chances are it’s a house mouse. These mice are known as “commensal rodents”, which refers to them living with or in close proximity to humans. Commensalism is defined as a long-term interaction in which members of one species (ie mice) gain benefits, while those of the other species (ie humans) neither benefit or are harmed. Field mice are much more suited to nesting outdoors, but will possibly move indoors once the weather gets colder. Habitat: how mice choose a home House mice are found in and around human structures as they rely on warmth and shelter for nesting sites, and our readily available food sources. Nests are often built in places such as roof spaces, under floors or in wall cavities, sheds, basements, storage boxes and wherever there is access to a good source of food and safe, warm harbourage to breed. Outdoors, field mice will excavate burrows in which to build nests of dry grass, but they will also den among rocks and crevices. Their main priority will be building a nesting site that isn’t accessible to predators, including cats, foxes, birds and even other rodents, like rats. Where do mice come from? Mice are naturally inquisitive and can squeeze through cracks as small as 5mm, to search for food and shelter. If a neighbouring property has an infestation, this can spread very quickly into your home or business. They can also come into your property by climbing vines or trellis against the walls of your building. If you have a lot of vegetation and foliage nearby this is perfect for mice to shelter in, until the time comes for them to find somewhere warmer. The tell-tale signs mice are about Their presence is usually detected from one of the following signs: Mice droppings - these are often black, and about the size and shape of a grain of rice. Fresh droppings will be soft and moist. Each mouse can leave approximately 80 droppings per day. Common places to find mouse droppings are under the kitchen sink, around central heating boilers and in roof spaces Strong ammonia smell - mice urinate frequently Smear marks - these are dark grey marks left on surfaces by repeated contact with the oils in mouse fur Nests - sometimes nests can be found indoors for example in lofts, under floorboards or in airing cupboards Damage to stored food in cupboards and pantries Gnaw marks on materials such as wood, carpets, paper, pipe cables and furniture. Why are mice more common in winter? Mice do not hibernate and are a problem all year round. House mice are already living in and around wherever we are. But as the weather gets colder, those field mice currently surviving outdoors will look for warmer places to nest and begin to move indoors. They are highly adaptable and won’t hesitate to take advantage of a cosy human structure during the winter months. Food is also an issue - they begin to scavenge closer to humans, as their own sources are no longer plentiful. https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/rats daily 0.75 2020-09-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5d010a5484d50480b8d0ab/1600299614127-GBA3XM4BJJVX40Y819ST/brown+rat.jpg Rats - 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”? If you think you’ve spotted signs of a rat infestation, you’re in the right place. It's difficult to know how many rats there are in the UK, with estimates putting the number anywhere between 10.5 million and 120 million. The dangers: why we control rats Pathogens and disease Rats communicate and mark their territory by urinating everywhere they go, representing a significant public health risk. They can carry many nasty diseases, which can spread to humans, normally through rats’ urine or bodies coming into contact with food preparation areas. These include: Leptospirosis (often referred to as Weil's disease) Salmonella Listeria Toxoplasma gondii Hantavirus. Black rats have also been most notably blamed for the Black Death plague that swept through Europe in the 14th and 17th Centuries, although a study in 2015 suggests that they may not actually be responsible for the pandemic. Property damage The problems associated with rats are not just limited to public health. They also have a knack for causing structural damage. Rats have to gnaw in order to keep their teeth in shape, and they’re not shy about what they gnaw on. Cinderblock, wood, glass, metal, bone - rats’ teeth will take on pretty much any challenge, which is why they can cause untold damage to both homes, businesses and the occasional finger. Flooding from gnawed pipes and electrical fires from chewed wires may be associated with rat infestations. Rats around businesses Property owners have a legal obligation under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 to keep premises rodent free, or, if rodents pose a threat to health or property, to report infestations to the local authority. And if a company or organisation has a highly publicised rat problem, then it will heavily impact its reputation. Poor reviews of businesses or products are easily viewed and shared online. A rat spotted running through a restaurant can mean the end of the road for that establishment, while no-one wants to share a hotel swimming pool with a bathing rodent. And aside from the reputational costs, there are also fines for businesses found to have a pest problem. These usually come at a significant expense and repeat offenders are in danger of facing legal action. Environmental Health Officers can issue enforcement notices to business owners who don’t have adequate pest management procedures in place. Rats around the home It goes without saying that rat infestations can have a devastating impact on personal wellbeing. Aside from the health risks, the sound of them scuttling around the home, the evidence of their presence and the damage they can cause do little to help householders sleep easy. Types of rat in the UK There are two species of rat in Britain, the most common of which is Rattus Norvegicus, otherwise known as the Brown Rat or Common Rat. The other is Rattus Rattus, commonly referred to as the Black Rat or Ship Rat, which is now rarely found in the UK. Home for the brown rat is somewhere that provides food, water and shelter. In homes, they will live in roof spaces, wall cavities or under floorboards. In gardens, they will burrow into grassy banks or under sheds. Rat holes beside solid structures are sure signs of a nest. Brown rats are also often found living in sewer systems. Black rats are rare in Britain but occasionally found in shipping ports. They are also incredibly agile and so may be found nesting in roof spaces or attics. https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/ants daily 0.75 2020-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5d010a5484d50480b8d0ab/1600300017836-ZQZ440YJV6KI3VX24L98/ants.jpg Ants - Ants The most common species that invades houses is the Black Garden Ant, which is actually very dark brown. All ants have the main divisions of the body (head, thorax, abdomen) distinctly separated by very narrow waists and have a sharp elbow joint in their antennae. They are highly organised social insects. It is the foraging worker ants that invade buildings in search of food. These are from 3 to 5mm in length and are attracted to sweet foodstuffs which they take back to the nest to feed to the larvae and queen. Flying ants are the reproductive males and females. These mating ants are winged and have a nuptial swarming flight during only a few days in July or August. Mating takes place in the air and the female then seeks out a nest site where she stays for the winter, laying eggs the following spring in order to start up a new colony. Pouring a kettle of boiling water over the nest site is a first-aid measure, and will not manage a nest in the long run. Some products cause the workers to destroy their own nests, for example, sugar based liquid bait. The workers are attracted to the bait and carry the insecticide back to the larvae and queen. Some centrally heated blocks of flats may be troubled by the much smaller tropical Pharaoh’s Ant, which prefers protein to sweet foods and has multiple - and often inaccessible – nests within the building structure. Ghost Ants are becoming more common in heated buildings. These are a similar size to Pharaoh’s ants and is pale coloured with a dark thorax and head. Control must be left to professional operators. https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/wasps daily 0.75 2020-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5d010a5484d50480b8d0ab/1600300394821-1W3R9L5OE00LZA7N179T/wasp.jpg Wasps - Wasps Pest controllers get thousands of call-outs to treat for wasps every year - so if you’re having wasp issues, you’re not alone! Queen wasps emerge and start working on new nests in the Spring, as the weather gets warmer. By the Summer months, wasp nests are working overtime, with up to 300 eggs being produced every day and up to 5,000 adults feeding grubs and building the nest structure. In the UK you’re most likely to come across Common Wasps (Vespula vulgaris) and German Wasps (Vespula germanica). Both species are yellow and black striped, and have painful stings that can cause allergic reactions. The dangers: why we control wasps One of Britain’s most feared and potentially aggressive pests, wasps are known for their nasty stings and seemingly unprovoked attacks. In reality, wasps will usually only attack a person if they feel threatened. The problem is a social wasp in distress emits a pheromone that sends nearby colony members into a defensive, stinging frenzy. That’s right - scare a wasp and it might call for backup. Wasp stings are at best painful, and at worst fatal. If you’re sensitive to wasp stings then they can send you into anaphylaxis - a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Children, elderly people, those with allergies, and household pets are particularly sensitive to wasp stings. Wasps around your business If you own a shop or restaurant you need to take wasp pest control seriously. If your customers experience a high level of wasp activity then they’re likely to complain and request a refund or leave a negative review. Either could result in a loss of future income. Should all wasps’ nests be treated? No. Wasps should only be treated if they pose a risk to public health and safety. Wasps can be beneficial in gardens as they feed their grubs on caterpillars and other insects, thereby reducing these pest populations. Signs of wasp nests If you’re seeing a large number of wasps in and around your home or work, there’s probably a wasps’ nest or a substantial attractant nearby. Wasp nests’ come in many different shapes and sizes. They’re amazing pieces of architecture that can contain up to 5,000 wasps during peak activity in late Summer. They build their nest using chewed wood and saliva to make a papier mache material. The nest material is durable, lightweight and surprisingly waterproof. Hundreds of wasps produce this papery material to build out their nest. Every wasps’ nest is both unique and shares characteristics with other colonies of the same species. Wasp biology and behaviour Wasps are classified under the order Hymenoptera, which means “membranous wings”. All the stinging insects belong to this group, and they are a highly evolved group of insects. In the UK, we mainly get common wasps (Vespula vulgaris) and German wasps (Vespula germanica). All wasps have complex social structures and different ways of doing things. Both common and German wasps are large, conspicuous buzzing insects with yellow and black striped, wasp-waisted bodies. Characteristics of wasps The queen wasp is larger than normal wasps (about 20mm). She hibernates over winter, making a nest in the spring in which to lay her eggs. She feeds the grubs on insects until they develop into worker wasps, three to four weeks later. Workers, all sterile females, forage for over a mile in search of food. At the end of the year when the colder air arrives, and fruit starts to perish quickly, wasps start to starve or die of the cold. The adult worker wasps start to die off, and the new queen wasps go into hibernation and emerge in the spring to initiate the process again, building completely brand new nests. One nest may produce 3,000-8,000 wasps in a year. What wasps eat Wasps are natural pest controllers and tend to eat other insects. At their peak in August and September with the youngsters reared, the workers turn to the sweet food they prefer and become a nuisance. Wasp or bee? It’s really easy for you to mistake bees for wasps. The way we treat bees and wasps are very different. Bee’s are an important, beneficial species rarely considered a pest. Bees are hymenoptera, specialising in flowers, eating nectar for energy and pollen for protein. Bees of all types are essential to our ecosystems, being the highest number of pollinating insects. An estimated third of all crops are pollination-dependent, including those used in livestock feed, covering 70 different types of crop. https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/flies daily 0.75 2020-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5d010a5484d50480b8d0ab/1600300958965-HB4RHNXSG83MX5I6W5YB/blowfly.jpg Flies - 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 the head and are wider apart in the female than the male of the species. The smaller Lesser Housefly, rejoicing in the scientific name Fannia canicularis, is the one that cruises around light fittings, abruptly changing direction in mid-flight. The Housefly has a sticky pad on each of its six hairy feet, and these enable it to walk upside down on ceilings or crawl up windows. Houseflies complete their life cycle of egg, maggot, pupa, adult, in a week during warm weather. The eggs are laid in batches of about 120 on any rotting organic matter and the legless white maggots burrow into this food until ready to pupate in loose soil or rubbish. The answer to “where do flies go in the winter?” is that some hibernate, but most pass the winter in the pupal stage. Houseflies may transmit a wide range of bacterial diseases. The Bluebottle is a large buzzing fly with shiny, metallic blue body, 6-12mm long. One Bluebottle can lay up to 600 eggs, which in warm weather will hatch in under 48 hours and produce maggots which can become fully developed in a week. These maggots burrow into meat or carrion as they feed on it, and then pupate, often in loose soil, for about ten days before emerging as adult flies from the brown pupal case. Bluebottles, like other flies, are often found on refuse tips, rotting animal matter, dirt and dustbins. They commute from filth to food and carry bacteria on their legs, feet and bodies. Cluster Flies, these are dark greyish flies about 8mm long with yellowish hairs on the back and with overlapping wings. In autumn they congregate in large numbers in upper rooms or roof spaces of houses to hibernate. They will then reemerge in Spring to seek out egg laying sites outside. A mass of cluster flies has a characteristic smell. They are sluggish in flight and are a nuisance in the house. The larvae of one species are parasitic upon certain earthworms, so this species is more common in rural areas. Fruit Flies, a family of very small (about 3mm) flies, some with prominent red eyes, characterised by a slow hovering flight in which the abdomen hangs down. All are associated with rotting fruit and vegetables or fermenting liquids. One species breeds in sour milk, for example, in the residue of forgotten milk bottles. 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 sewage works. https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/cockroaches daily 0.75 2020-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5d010a5484d50480b8d0ab/1600301229590-HD4X98XS8EOXOY11U0G6/german+cockroach.jpg Cockroaches - Cockroaches Cockroaches are distinguished by their very long whip-like antennae, flat oval bodies and rapid, jerky walk. The adult German Cockroach is a light yellowy/brown and is 10 to 15mm long. The Oriental Cockroach is dark brown/black and is 20 to 24mm long. Immature stages of Cockroach, look exactly like adults, just on a smaller scale. There are two main species of cockroach in Britain, Oriental and German Cockroaches. Characteristics The German Cockroach carries its egg case until the 30 or more nymphs are ready to hatch. The Oriental Cockroach deposits its 13mm long egg capsule on packaging, sacking or in suitable dark crevices before the 16 to 18 nymphs hatch around 12 weeks later. They grow in stages, from nymphs to maturity in 6 to 12 months for the Oriental Cockroach, and 6 to 12 weeks for the German Cockroach. Habitat Cockroaches are rarely able to survive out of doors in the British climate but thrive around the heating ducts and boiler rooms of large centrally heated buildings e.g. hospitals, bakeries, hotels and restaurant kitchens, and blocks of flats. They cluster around pipes, stoves, and sinks, especially in humid areas, and will often remain hidden during the day. Diet Cockroaches will feed on almost anything, including refuse, faecal matter and food for consumption. They also require access to water and will be generally found in inaccessible harbourages, close to water and food. Cockroaches can survive for several months without food, but will not live for more than a few days without water. Why control Cockroaches? When foraging for food and water, Cockroaches can contaminate food, utensils, and preparation surfaces as they go. They taint food with an obnoxious smell and can be vectors of disease, capable of carrying the organisms which cause food poisoning in humans and many other bacteria. Cockroaches can ruin an organisation's reputation. If clients and customers spot evidence of cockroach infestation in the premises you manage, they are likely to complain and request a refund, report on your company negatively potentially resulting in closure by an Environmental Health officer, making it unlikely for some people to want to do business with you again. https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/stored-product-insects daily 0.75 2020-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5d010a5484d50480b8d0ab/1600301451602-DJHAUD5CY2J95DRD2OG4/Sawtoothed+Grain+Beetle.jpg Stored Product Insects - Stored Product Insects (SPIs) Have you brought something home from the shop riddled with insects? Opened an old bag of flour to find it’s tainted? Are you a manufacturer of food products and you want to keep them safe from infestation? Stored product insects (SPIs) are one of the top pest concerns in food production and storage across the globe. Stored product insects are exactly what they sound like: insects that live and breed in stored products, like whole grains or processed foods, and even tobacco. There are many types of SPI in the UK, with the two most common being beetles and moths. The dangers: why we control SPIs The main reason we control SPIs is the incredible damage and contamination they cause to foodstuffs, raw materials and finished products. SPIs not only eat these products, they breed in them and can spread quickly, contaminating a huge amount of product which is then unfit for human consumption. Contamination of foodstuffs is such a huge concern that there is an entire branch of forensic entomology dedicated to studying it. Unlike with most other pests, there is no significant health risk to humans from SPIs. The biggest concern is contamination of food by the insect, its cast skins or pupal casing. That’s an extra crunch in your cereal you don’t want! Psychological distress is also a factor that needs to be considered, as some people will find it hugely upsetting to find insects in their foodstuffs. Risk to businesses The financial loss associated with SPIs is enormous. It’s believed they are the world’s ‘most expensive pest’, costing billions each year in additional operating costs and loss of product. Businesses that handle any kind of cereal, grain or dried food products are at risk of infestation from stored product insects. That includes supermarkets, restaurants, food processing facilities and food storage warehouses. They can cause the recall of products and the expense involved in issuing a recall, plus discarding infested or damaged products, is very high. Environmental Health Officers can also issue enforcement notices to business owners who don’t have adequate pest management procedures in place. If not complied with, these can lead to fines or even a stint in jail and a criminal record. And let’s not forget: poor reviews of businesses or products are easily viewed and shared online, making reputation management a key consideration. Types of SPI in the UK The range of stored product insects worldwide is pretty vast. In the UK, we have two common types of SPI: Beetle Moth Some SPIs, like the Khapra beetle, are considered invasive species worldwide. Although it is not currently found in the UK, products that have a chance of containing Khapra beetles are subject to quarantine in places like the US. Confusingly, weevils are actually a type of beetle and some stored product beetles can often be misidentified as weevils. Just a few stored product insects that are common in the UK include: Rice weevil Biscuit beetle Indian meal moth Grain weevil Confused flour beetle Saw toothed grain beetle Larder beetle Mill moth. https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/birds daily 0.75 2020-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5d010a5484d50480b8d0ab/1600301809412-5EWIUDUVXZTZ0T3NIDJR/pigeon.jpg Birds - Pigeons, gulls and other birds We love British birds. Every wild bird and their eggs in the UK is rightfully protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Unfortunately, a few species of birds come into direct conflict with humans when they take roost in or around our homes or businesses. These birds can cause real problems, including excessive nuisance and public health concerns. Urban birds such as gulls and pigeons are great opportunists. Handed a ready food source and sheltered nesting site, these birds can grow rapidly and what initially attracted a few birds can soon become a thriving colony. The dangers: why control birds? Pathogens and diseases There are more than 110 pathogens reportedly carried by pigeons, and there is plenty of research to suggest other wild birds pass on diseases to humans. Some of the more common diseases and pathogens that birds can spread: Air-borne diseases Chlamydia psittaci (Ornithosis) Cryptococcus neoformans Histoplasma capsulatum Allergenic particles (bird fancier’s lung) Food-borne disease Salmonella spp Escherichia coli Campylobacter jejuni Listeria monocytogenes Vibrio cholerae Diseases can be transmitted from bird droppings and the birds themselves. When dry, pigeon droppings can become airborne in small particles, which can lead to respiratory complaints. Food-borne bacteria can be spread to humans if you have poor food hygiene standards or come into direct contact with droppings (wash your hands straight away)! Pigeons, gulls, house sparrows and starlings have the potential to carry food-borne diseases - it is therefore essential to keep them away from food manufacturers and distributors. Safety concerns All bird droppings can be slippery and can cause a serious risk on pavements, particularly under roosting birds. As funny as it might seem to see a gull steal someone’s chips at the seaside, gulls can pose a serious safety concern. During the breeding season, gulls have been known to attack people unprovoked. Gulls have the potential to startle and even draw blood when they attack. All birds have the potential to cause real problems on airfields. When birds are sucked into plane engines (bird strikes) - while rarely fatal - they can cause damage to aircraft and emergency landings. Damage to property and brickwork Bird droppings are acidic and can corrode and erode metals, stonework and brickwork. Nesting materials birds use can block chimneys, flues and guttering, causing possible issues with carbon monoxide and damage to buildings as water overflows from blocked gutters. Buildings covered in fouling looks unpleasant, can smell, and projects a poor image of a business, potentially ruining an organisation's reputation. If customers spot evidence of a bird infestation on your premises, they may not want to do business with you. Secondary insect infestations Where birds go, so too go the parasites that live on them. Bird mites, ticks, fleas and beetles can all cause complicated secondary infestations. If you have a current or past problem with birds, you may find you'll suffer from a parasite infestation too. These little critters can quickly multiply into thousands, leaving you feeling overwhelmed. The relentless biting, itching, crawling sensation and lack of sleep are the physical symptoms that can propagate a whole host of secondary mental health issues. Bird mites are parasitic arthropods that feed on living organisms. It is the female mite that needs a blood meal to reproduce viable eggs. They are attracted to mammals by receptors for moisture, heat and CO2, and they often bite humans when their original food source has gone – like when the young birds leave the nest. Birds around businesses If you have birds roosting in and around your business then you’ll want to seek professional help as soon as possible. In the UK, allowing birds to infest a food business violates the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995, and could result in prosecution of the food company. If you don’t address health and safety hazards, you could be putting your staff and customers at risk. The damage to reputation caused by a bird infestation can be catastrophic. Bird droppings make any business appear unclean and imply a state to disrepair. Would you choose to use a company covered in dangerous poo? Birds control licences and the law The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds, their nests and eggs. However, specific exemptions permit certain species to be controlled by particular methods for specific reasons. This exemption is given in the way of a wildlife licence issued by Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage or Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. General licences are issued to allow certain actions to be carried out that would otherwise be illegal under the legislation, without the need for people to apply for a specific licence. Individual licences are sometimes granted for specific situations not covered by a general license. These do need to be applied for. https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/mammals daily 0.75 2020-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5d010a5484d50480b8d0ab/1600302231182-YOS0J18626B30X2X95FN/grey+squirrel.jpg Mammals - Other Mammals Grey Squirrels Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are invasive pests, not native to the UK. They were first introduced to the UK from North America in the 1870’s, as ornamental additions to high-class estates and country homes. Introductions continued until the 1930’s, when the damage they can cause was finally acknowledged and it became illegal to release grey squirrels into the wild. The dangers: why we control grey squirrels Even though the grey squirrel is widely appreciated for its grace and ‘cuteness’ by much of the UK – the pest management industry knows that there are times when the lethal control of grey squirrels is necessary. The grey squirrel is recognised as being in the top worst 100 invasive pest species in the world by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Here in Britain and Europe, is classed as an Invasive Alien Species (IAS) which is any animal that is not native to the UK. Because grey squirrels are an invasive pest species, it is against the law to re-release a grey squirrel if it’s been caught alive, per the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019. That means that any person who catches a grey squirrel alive is legally obliged to humanely dispatch it. Squirrel damage in your home, business and to your health Grey squirrels can cause damage when they enter roof spaces of houses and buildings. For example, they can: Gnaw on woodwork and ceilings Strip insulation from electrical wires Tear up fibreglass insulation Contaminate cold water tanks and attic space with urine and droppings. People also report sleep issues due to the loud noises they make at night while they’re scuttling around your attic. Squirrels are most active before sunrise, especially in winter. Their peak activity is activity is four-five hours before daybreak. Grey squirrels often associate humans with food, meaning they sometime approach people. Some people fear being attacked, however it’s very rare for a squirrel to actually attack! In gardens and allotments, they can take fruit, raid nests of small birds and dig holes in lawns to bury food. Grey squirrels and UK forests Grey squirrels cause damage to trees such as beech, oak and chestnut. They strip bark at the base of trees which causes them to weaken and eventually to die. Grey squirrels also: Raid birds’ nests to prey on eggs and fledglings (figures from the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust suggest fledgling rates reduced by 15% due to predation by grey squirrels) Damage orchards and gardens, destroying bulbs and corms, eating tree nuts and recently sown seeds Wreak havoc on historic and ancient woodlands. The native red squirrel vs invasive grey squirrels The grey squirrel was deliberately introduced to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from North America in the Victorian era. Since then, it’s colonised 90% of England and Wales and is becoming a problem in Scotland. Grey squirrels are responsible for the decline in native red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) numbers. The Wildlife Trusts estimates there are only around 140,000 native red squirrels left in the UK, compared to 2.5 million grey squirrels. Foxes Many people are concerned about foxes affected by mange. A scruffy looking fox is not necessarily an ill fox. When moulting in spring, foxes look quite rough, but this does not mean they are mangy. They are typically found in woodland and open country, but their presence in urban areas is increasing. Red foxes are opportunist feeders and eat insects, earthworms, fruit, berries, wild birds, small mammals and scraps left by humans. Red foxes are primarily active at dusk and night. They are solitary, but they very occasionally group together in a pack. Foxes forage alone in different parts of their territory, which may extend from 25 to 5,000 acres, depending on the habitat. They use faeces and urine to mark territories. Reproduction Vixens come into heat once a year for one-six days. They give birth to four-seven cubs in a den (also called an earth), after a gestation period of 51-53 days. The cubs are weaned at seven to nine weeks and become sexually mature after a year. The number of cubs and the time of year in which the vixen gives birth depends on food availability. Feral Cats Feral cat (or stray cat, alley cat) is a cat which has been separated from domestication through abandonment, loss, or running away, and becomes wild. The term may also refer to descendants of such cats, but not to wild cats, whose ancestors were never domesticated. Feral cats may live alone but are usually found in large groups called feral colonies. Feral cats are not killed, but instead trapped and normally spayed and rereleased to prevent the population increasing. This is normally carried out by or with assistance from the RSPCA. 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 and cannot be harmed. https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/business-services daily 0.75 2020-09-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847904871-IJY33BXSJQA0OIFROI1H/image-asset.jpeg Business Services - It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do. https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/about-us daily 0.75 2020-09-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847904871-IJY33BXSJQA0OIFROI1H/image-asset.jpeg About us - It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do. https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/invertebrates daily 0.75 2020-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5d010a5484d50480b8d0ab/1600302614746-C08TULEO5OTXFPV8IECN/bedbug.jpg Invertebrates - Other invertebrates Bed bugs This common pest once associated with unhygienic surroundings is prevalent due to a number of reasons, including increased travel, the use of second-hand furniture, and suspected tolerance to some pesticides. These bugs still occur with regularity, particularly in multi-occupancy buildings with rapid resident turnover, for example, hostels, hotels, holiday camps and blocks of flats. Appearance Adult Bed bugs resemble a small brown disc, measuring up to 6mm in length. It is wingless but the legs are well developed and it can crawl up most vertical surfaces. Their elongated eggs are cemented in cracks or crevices close to the hosts (which for Bed bugs are humans). The early stages of the Bed bug (nymphs) are tiny making them hard to detect with the naked eye. Characteristics Bed bugs can usually be introduced to your property as they attach to luggage, bags, and clothing. Bed bugs may also be introduced through second-hand beds, furniture, and possessions. Bed bugs can also travel from one room to another in search of food, or, after mating. Sometimes this may be a neighbouring property which then can create new infestations throughout multi-occupied premises. Habitat Mainly active at night Bed bugs hide in crevices in the bed, surrounding furniture, and also behind skirting boards, under loose wallpaper, behind pictures and even in plug sockets to name a few. Diet Bed bugs need to feed on the blood of a human host. However, in some cases, they can survive up to a year without feeding. Why control Bed bugs? Bed bug bites cause red, irritating marks/ lumps. Not everyone reacts to the bites, however, some people develop a more severe skin reaction and can experience disturbed sleep. Bed bugs are not known to spread diseases. However, they can cause irritation and distress. Bed bugs can also ruin an organisation's reputation. If clients and customers experience a Bed bug infestation in the premises you manage, they are likely to complain and request a refund, report on your company negatively and be unlikely to want to do business with you again. Signs of an infestation Red irritating bites, typically in rows on your neck, shoulders, back, legs or arms. Clusters or dark spots (about 1mm wide) that look like an ink dot are usually found on the bed frame or on the bottom side of the mattress. Small blood smears on the bed linen or headboard. Finding the small brown insects in and around your bed frame and sleeping area. Biscuit Beetle The Biscuit Beetle is found worldwide but more commonly in temperate latitudes. It is common throughout the UK, especially in food storage and retailing premises, and are frequently encountered in a domestic property. They are small reddish-brown insects, only about 3mm long, which attack stored foods in domestic cupboard and larders. Very similar in appearance and closely related to the Common Furniture Beetle (Woodworm), these insects can easily be confused and misidentified. Flour, biscuits, cake mixes, cereals, spices, meat and soup powders will attract them most, however, they will thrive on other substances such as poisonous substances like strychnine, belladonna and aconite - hence the beetle’s American name; Drug Store Beetle. They have also been known to penetrate tin foil and lead, and have even bored through a shelf-full of books. The white larvae are very small and quite active when they hatch. They feed and grow for about two months or so, depending on temperature, the larvae pupate inside cocoons, often within the food material, and one or two weeks later the adult's hatch, their emergence holes resembling typical 'woodworm' (Anobium) exit holes. Mating takes place soon after emergence. The adults fly, but do not feed and live for relatively short periods of three to four weeks. Booklice (Psocids) Booklice (Psocids) are very common but harmless household pests. They are not caused by poor hygiene as they are just as common in scrupulously clean homes. Appearance These fast moving, tiny cream-coloured or light brown insects, only 1mm long, occur in small numbers in many premises. Characteristics Booklice stick pearl-coloured eggs and cement them to damp surfaces. Instead of a larval stage, the insect matures through four recognisable nymphal stages, taking about a fortnight to become an adult. Habitat Booklice are always associated with damp. It could be caused by new plaster drying out, condensation from not having enough ventilation in the kitchen/ bathroom, or a leaking water pipe. Diet Booklice feed on mould caused by damp conditions. They are also believed to feed on microscopic moulds that grow on the glue of book-bindings or on damp cardboard, damp food (especially cereals) or on the surfaces close to damp plaster inside buildings, which is very common with brand new houses. Signs of an infestation Visible mould and damp patches in the affected rooms. Although they are only 1mm in size you may still see these white/cream species on your wall, surfaces, or in your cupboards. Why control Booklice? The major problem posed by Booklice is the nuisance they cause, especially when found in large numbers throughout the home. They don't spread disease, bite or damage your property and possessions. Carpet Beetle The larvae (known as “woolly bears”) of these small, oval beetles have outstripped the clothes moths as the major British textile pest. The Variegated Carpet Beetle is 2 to 4mm long, like a small, mottled brown, grey and cream ladybird. The related Fur Beetle is black with one spot on each wing case, and there is a rarer Black Carpet Beetle. The larvae are small (about 4mm long), covered in brown hairs, and tend to roll up when disturbed. As they grow, they moult - and the old cast-off skins may be the first sign of infestation. Adults are often seen in April, May and June, seeking egg-laying sites; and the grubs are most active in October before they hibernate. The adult Carpet Beetle feeds only on pollen and nectar of garden flowers but lays its eggs in old birds’ nests, felt, fabric or accumulated fluff in buildings. It is the larvae from these eggs that do the damage. They feed on feathers, fur, hair, or wool and tend to wander along the pipes from roofs into airing cupboards - which house the clothes and blankets which constitute the food. The life cycle takes about a year, and the grubs can survive starvation in hard times for several months. Carpet beetle damage consists of fairly well-defined round holes along the seams of fabric where the grubs bite through the thread. Ground Beetles These various large black or violet beetles that occasionally wander in from the garden or emerge from under doormats or not a pest and control is rarely necessary. The larger Ground Beetles can grow up to 25mm long and tend to wander into properties to shelter from the cold. 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 has three long bristles at the tail end. Occasionally damages paper but feeds on residues of starchy substances such as glues, wallpaper paste and carbohydrate food debris. It may indicate damp conditions which need attention. Eggs are laid in cracks and crevices, and the nymphs grow by an indefinite number of moults. Can grow a new leg if they lose one. Adults can live for over three years. A closely related species, the Firebrat, is flatter and speckled, without the metallic appearance, and favours hot, dry situations, but can still be destroyed in the same way as its cousin. 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. False Black Widow Spiders Several spiders in the genus Steatoda are mistaken for the rather deadly Black Widow Spider. These lookalikes are often grouped together as False Black Widow Spiders. While these spiders are venomous and their bites can be very painful, they're no more dangerous than a wasp sting and the spiders are non-aggressive. Identification The False Black Widow is a relatively small spider, with a body length being 10-15mm (female) and only 3-6mm (male). The False Black Widow is shiny black and globular like the Black Widow, but they lack the characteristic red double triangle or ‘hourglass' marking. The abdomen of the immature female has pale chevron markings on the dorsal surface and a white band around the anterior, but these diminish with each moult until the adult abdomen is black except for the band, now turned red. Steatoda nobilis are believed to have been introduced to Devon from the Canary Islands in the 1880s, and has gradually spread northward and eastwards, with most confirmed records lying south of a line from the Wash to Pembrokeshire. Although Steatoda nobilis was introduced, there are also five other closely related false widow spider species that occur in the UK. Steatoda grossa and Steatoda bipunctata in particular are widespread and commonly found in sheds, outbuildings and porches as well as within homes. It’s been tricky to identify the various False Widow Spiders with complete confidence, even using the online images. Locations and webs Typically, the False Widow Spiders spin a loose tangle of webbing, with a tube of silk in one corner that leads into a crevice where the spider hides in the day. This web is often at least 1.5-2m above ground level, and sometimes higher. The typical locations are around window and door frames, and eaves, but they have been reported from a wide range of other locations including walls, downpipes and gutters, waste pipes, porches, and outbuildings. The spiders increase in numbers during warmer months, but in late summer and autumn they may become particularly conspicuous as the males wander more extensively in search of a mate. Requests for false widow pest control call-outs tend to peak in October. Public health risk False widow spiders are not aggressive and will not launch an unprovoked attack on people. When bites do occur, it seems to be a result of accidental contact with a spider. The venom of Steatoda nobilis can cause a short-lived reaction, described as similar to a wasp sting, but occasionally it is longer-lasting and extends beyond the site of the bite. In the UK, so-called spider bites are unlikely to be a reaction to the venom itself but are more likely to be the result of secondary infection of an initial skin lesion. Given that Steatoda nobilis has been present in a large area of southern England for over a century, living in and around homes, the rarity of bites is an indication of the very low threat from this species. The threat is much less than that presented by wasp stings, or tick-borne Lyme disease, for example. Brown House Moth The commonest of the so-called clothes moths, with characteristic golden-bronze wings, flecked with black, folded flat along its back. The adult is about 8mm long and prefers to run rather than fly. They grow up to 18mm long, feeding on wool, hair, fur, feathers, cork or debris from food such as dried fruit or cereals, and are common scavengers in old birds’ nests, from which they may enter buildings. The related White Shouldered House Moth has mottled wings with a white head and “shoulders” where the wings join the body. Eggs are attached to fabric on which grubs will feed. The larvae are creamy-white caterpillars with brown heads. The caterpillars spin silken cocoons in which they pupate. The life cycle takes several months to complete. Only the larval stage feeds, as a general scavenger as well as a textile pest. https://www.gooseservices.co.uk/home daily 1.0 2020-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5d010a5484d50480b8d0ab/1600303506156-BEWF3WUWNJ65WXSY32QW/goose+services+profile+yellow+400dpi.png Home Trust Goose Services to protect your business and reputation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5d010a5484d50480b8d0ab/1600303551306-HQNPA5FEVOZPFZRLQMQE/brown+rat.jpg Home Pest services provided throughout Suffolk and North Essex, including but not limited to Ipswich, Woodbridge, Felixstowe, Stowmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury, Colchester… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5d010a5484d50480b8d0ab/1600303583089-R3KG6M399ERE3GFJPPGY/wasp.jpg Home Most pests managed! See our quick guides above for some of the most common pests we manage.