Maintaining a pest-free environment in any hospitality setting, but especially in pubs and restaurants, is crucial. Any pest infestation can severely impact the health and safety of the premises for staff and customers, bringing with it a loss of reputation and issues with legal compliance. To help you prevent pest problems, this month at Pest Defence we’re giving you our top tips for pub and restaurant owners. And remember, if you are having trouble with pests, don’t hesitate to contact our expert team. What are the most common pests found in pubs and restaurants? Rodents – Mice and rats will ..read more

Urban areas now often face challenges with nuisance birds, especially with pigeons and seagulls. This can lead to significant property damage and also poses a number of health hazards. While traditional control methods aren’t always effective or environmentally friendly, the use of hawks as a natural and efficient solution is a service we offer at Pest Defence. That’s why this month, we want to discuss the role of hawks and falconry in urban pest control. Common issues caused by birds Pest birds present a number of common issues in urban spaces, including: An accumulation of droppings. This no ..read more

Birds are wonderful animals, but they can often cause problems if they end up roosting in areas where they shouldn’t —it can create hazards for both the birds and people. At Pest Defence, we’re trusted experts for Essex, London and beyond when it comes to deterring birds from properties without causing them harm. This month, we wanted to give you a guide to the best bird deterrents and bird control methods so that you can understand the options available to you. Why might you need to deter birds? Birds that make your building their home or frequent the area in large ..read more

Birds of prey are used for pest control in an ethical approach to deter nuisance birds from commercial and public places. This is a historic way of controlling the local bird population, training birds of prey to scare them off rather than harming them. This month at Pest Defence, we’re going to cover bird of prey pest control – sometimes known as hawking or falconry pest control – in more detail to help you understand the benefits of the service we offer for clients in London and Essex.   Which birds of prey are used to deter birds? Birds of prey ..read more

Dealing with pests in any industry is a daunting task, but the waste management sector faces some unique challenges, requiring a more strategic approach than most.  Whether it’s maintaining a sense of discretion and minimising operational downtime or simply ensuring compliance with environmental health regulations, waste management companies should proactively address these issues. Otherwise, pests can cause a whole host of dilemmas. This month at Pest Defence, we’re going to explore the key challenges of pest control in the waste management industry, sharing some best practice tips to he ..read more

A rat infestation on your farm can have a devastating impact on livestock and crops. This can create low yields and generate a bad reputation for your produce. As disease carriers, they’re one pest you don’t want to see anywhere near your farm.  So how can you get rid of rats on a farm? At Pest Defence, we’re agricultural pest specialists and Red Tractor-approved, which means we have all the expertise and tools required to help you eliminate rat and mouse problems. With this in mind, we’ve put together a short guide to getting rid of rats and how you can ..read more

Two issues in summer can hamper your enjoyment of your garden: hay fever and wasps. While the former of those two isn’t something we can advise on, here at Pest Defence, we do happen to be experts when it comes to wasps. With that in mind, we’ve created this guide to help you get rid of wasps in the garden without getting stung this summer. That means you’ll be able to relax in peace with your family, whether that’s games with the kids or hosting friends for a quiet evening. Why are wasps attracted to my garden? In order to answer ..read more

There are potentially millions of pigeons in London alone. A flapping, flying menace to most people, they represent an animal that many people don’t think very highly of due to their prevalence and their ability to flock in numbers. But are they vermin or a protected species? Pigeons – descended from the rock dove – have become very comfortable around humans, and for many people, they’ve grown a little too comfortable. Unpredictable behaviour and an association with disease means we think of them as vermin, so this month at Pest Defence, we’re going to explore the topic in more detail. The ..read more

Wasps may make great pollinators and they even eat smaller pest insects, but they’re never good news for pubs and restaurants. What little good weather we get here in the UK usually signals the busiest time of year for pubs and restaurants with outdoor areas. Whether it’s a small courtyard for those sipping on a fruity cider or a luxurious decking area for diners, you can’t afford to let wasps ruin the atmosphere. Any business with a reputation for problems with pests, such as wasps, will likely see a drop in trade, so why not read our essential guide on how ..read more

People living in Kent may already be aware of the threat that Asian hornets pose, with leaflets circulated in spring after the invasive insect was spotted in the region. In 2023, the UK saw record numbers of Asian hornets (Vespa velutina), which are believed to have spread to our shores after arriving in France in around 2004. It’s suspected they made their way into Europe via pottery sent from Asia, but each year there have been increased sightings in the UK. This is concerning for a number of reasons, which is why, this month at Pest Defence, we’re going to tackle ..read more