Latest news with #FantasticPestControl
The Independent
2 days ago
- Science
- The Independent
Overflowing bins and climate change: Why might rats be getting bigger in the UK?
Overflowing bins, leftover junk food and global warming could be causing rats in the UK to grow larger, experts have said. A supersized 22-inch rat was captured in the Normanby area of Redcar and Cleveland after a resident called in exterminators. But pest control catcher David Parnell said this huge rodent is not a one-off – he thinks the rats are getting bigger and harder to deal with. Dr Steven Belmain, professor of ecology at the University of Greenwich, told The Independent that adult rats can weigh up to 600g. He said: 'When they are well fed and mature, they can be 20 to 30cm long.' Experts say these intelligent and adaptable creatures can grow to these colossal sizes if waste management is poor and food is left on the streets. They can even evolve more quickly than other mammals. More food is available Just like any animal, the more food they consume, the bigger they can grow – meaning rats are probably gorging themselves on our food waste. Mihail Velev at Fantastic Pest Control told The Independent: 'In urban areas, overflowing bins, food waste, poorly secured bird feed and even compost heaps provide a near-constant food supply. 'A rat with regular access to high-calorie food, especially high-protein scraps, will not only grow faster but can live longer and reach its full genetic potential in terms of size.' These large rats are rarely found in urban environments, according to Dr Belmain. Instead, he has seen hefty rodents on farms where they can eat overspills of food given to livestock. 'It is perhaps a bit surprising to find them in urban environments of that size, it might allude to the fact that food is abundant. In the wild, it's a tougher life if you're really having to forage,' he said. Overflowing bins and poorly maintained sewers Poor waste management and litter in urban areas and city parks are attracting rodents and helping them thrive. 'People are being more careless with their litter, perhaps not putting it in the bins, in the summer there's always a lot of growth because people are out in parks having picnics or they're feeding the birds and there's more food being dropped on the ground,' Dr Belmain. 'It's really only when those bins are overflowing and people are not putting food in those kinds of protected environments that you could imagine rodents getting access to it,' he added. Since the start of the Birmingham bin strikes in March, there have been reports of larger rats rummaging through the waste. Shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Alex Burghart, told MPs: 'Rats the size of dachshunds are terrifying the local residents.' And it's not just dirty streets - weak sewer infrastructure has also been blamed for the emergence of larger rats in urban areas. Pest control catcher David Parnell said rodents are not just passing through the sewers but climbing up into homes. 'I've had cases where rats have climbed two storeys up the inside of a cast iron drainpipe, only to emerge in someone's toilet bowl,' he said. Some rats are resistant to poison Some rats are living longer because they survive chemical treatment that would have previously killed them. 'Resistance to certain rodenticides is becoming more common, particularly in parts of the UK like Yorkshire and the Midlands,' Mr Velev explained. 'This issue doesn't mean the rats are genetically mutated giants. It simply means some populations are surviving chemical treatments that would have controlled them in the past. 'These survivors reproduce and, over time, can grow larger simply because they're living longer and facing fewer environmental pressures.' They can evolve more quickly than other mammals Rats are 'evolutionary winners' according to Jan Zalasiewicz, a palaeontologist at the University of Leicester. He explained rats have a genetic make-up that means they can evolve quicker than the average mammal, which may have allowed them to survive and grow. 'They're intelligent, they're social and they're really adaptable, they evolved very quickly,' he told The Independent. One way rats have adapted to survive is by evolving to be able to eat junk food. Dr Zalasiewicz said: 'Rats in some cities have been shown to evolve. They are changing the shape of their skulls and teeth to be better able to adapt to the kind of food they will get from humans as opposed to the food they get in the wild.' 'There's something which suggests that their genome is changing to help them adapt to junk food. So, to highly processed sugar-rich carbohydrate-rich food, which they'll have a lot of in cities, but of course not much of in the wild,' he added. Warmer weather could provide better conditions for rats, and they may even be evolving to survive. Mild winters mean rats are less likely to die because of cold or lack of food, according to Mr Velev. 'When winters are mild and food remains available year-round, rats don't face the seasonal die-back that normally keeps populations and size averages in check,' he said. Not only is the warmer weather helping them survive, but Dr Zalasiewicz said they could also be increasing in size to help them adapt to warmer weather. He said: 'There's something called Burgmann's rule, which suggests mammals get smaller as it gets warmer, because it's easier to remove heat with a bigger surface to volume ratio. But there are studies showing there are one or two animals which buck that trend, such as the Asian shrew, which actually got a little bit larger as the temperatures got warmer.'
The Sun
25-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Wilko's £1.49 household essential will drive nibbling pests out of your garden – and it won't even harm your plants
A GARDENING fans has revealed his unique method for keeping rabbits away from your vegetable patch, using a £1.49 Wilko buy. With summer now in full swing, gardens around the country will be bursting with scrumptious veg, ready to harvest. 2 2 And although you may be eager to transfer your home-grown veg onto your dinner plate, many pests have the same idea. Rabbits can be a real problem in the summer, as they burrow in to your garden and attack your vegetable patch. Some gardeners opt to plant flowers that are poisonous to rabbits, to keep them away, whilst others choose to place floating covers over their veg. Fork hack Sharing a more unique approach, one gardener took to Reddit to reveal the common household item he uses to banish the pests. "Hey rabbits, fork you!" the gardener joked, sharing a snap of a multitude of forks placed into the soil around his vegetables, prong side up. The post stunned Redditors, with one racing to the comments section to ask if the hack worked. For the most part yes it works," he replied. "They sometimes nibble around the edges but it makes it impossible for them to hop through. "The forks saves me from having to make a rabbit-proof fence." Other Redditors rushed to share their thoughts on the hack, with one commenting: "This is what I did for stray cats and then I bought some spike mats to go under the mulch and now nothing seems to bother my garden. Top Hacks to Keep Foxes Out of Your Garden Another said: "My grandma always told me to hang tin pie plates from the garden fence. "The wind pushes them, and they reflect and make noise. It makes the rabbits uneasy." If you don't have any spare forks lying around, you can pick up cutlery from Wilko for as little as £1.49. More pest busting hacks If rabbits aren't your only pest problem, Jordan Foster from Fantastic Pest Control, has revealed the garden herb rats can't stand. IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know. Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay. Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent. Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents. Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass. He revealed that the rodents find mint "very offensive" because of its very strong smell. Therefore, to help deter rats you can plant some mint plants in your flower beds. You can pick up a mint plant from Asda for just £1. And if stray cats keep pooing in your garden, TikToker Becky revealed her tried and tested method for keeping them at bay. She said: "Here's my number one tip if you, like us, have issues with neighbouring cats trying to use your lovely planters or pots as a blooming litter tray. 'Coffee grounds!" "Apparently, the cats don't like the smell", she explained.
Business Mayor
29-04-2025
- General
- Business Mayor
Households urged to sprinkle 75p kitchen staple in garden to keep 3 pests away
Pests can ravage your garden (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) If pests like foxes, rats and pigeons are intruding on your garden, there is one effective and humane way to get rid of them – without damaging your plants. Better still, you likely have it in your kitchen cupboard. There are few things worse than spending all year cultivating your garden only to have it picked apart by greedy animals. Pigeons are known to dive down and peck away leaves and blossoms, leaving just the stalks and veins behind. Meanwhile, foxes and rodents love munching on any fruits and veg you have growing. Worse still, these animals are also known to spread disease. In particular, rats can carry leptospirosis – otherwise known as 'rat bite fever' – and is spread through their saliva and urine. If contracted by humans it can cause severe symptoms like headaches and swollen lymph nodes. Some rats carry rat bite fever (Image: Getty Images) READ MORE: Robins will constantly return to your garden if you own exact item So, how do you get rid of them? While you can call the exterminators on rats and set up snares for foxes, it can be a better, cheaper and kinder idea to try to deter them from your garden first. Equally, it's worth remembering that killing nuisance birds like pigeons is actually illegal in the UK. They're protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act from 1981, which prohibits the harming of wild birds, their nests (while they're occupied) or their eggs. A great and safe way to prevent them from snuffling around your garden is to make it less appealing. This can be done by adding foods or herbs that they dislike the smell and taste of. Lucky for humans, while many of us enjoy a spicy meal, pests certainly do not. Fantastic Pest Control advises sprinkling spices around your plants to keep naughty critters at bay. One of the best options is chilli powder is a natural deterrent for many animals as they find its intense flavour irritating to digest. Much like with humans, it burns their mouths and triggers pain receptors. Chilli powder can deter pests (Image: Getty Images) Fortunately, if you don't have chilli powder at home, they also aren't a fan of the strong kick that comes from cinnamon, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Simply leave fabric bags near your plants, or scatter it directly into the soil. Most of these spices can be picked up cheaply at your local supermarket. For examples, Sainsbury's sells chilli powder for just 75p. Although, it's important to note that this is just a temporary solution. You will need to top up your spice barrier after it rains, as otherwise it will be washed away. If you notice animals are still coming back, there are other measures you can take. This includes covering your crops with a netting that blocks animals from worming their way inside. Alternatively, be careful not to overfeed your crops with fertiliser or compost. The excess food may attract animals to your garden beds.
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Households urged to sprinkle 75p kitchen staple in garden to keep 3 pests away
If your garden is being chewed up by greedy pests then make sure to add this one cheap item to your plant beds - which will help keep hungry critters away for good If pests like foxes, rats and pigeons are intruding on your garden, there is one effective and humane way to get rid of them – without damaging your plants. Better still, you likely have it in your kitchen cupboard. There are few things worse than spending all year cultivating your garden only to have it picked apart by greedy animals. Pigeons are known to dive down and peck away leaves and blossoms, leaving just the stalks and veins behind. Meanwhile, foxes and rodents love munching on any fruits and veg you have growing. Worse still, these animals are also known to spread disease. In particular, rats can carry leptospirosis – otherwise known as 'rat bite fever' – and is spread through their saliva and urine. If contracted by humans it can cause severe symptoms like headaches and swollen lymph nodes. So, how do you get rid of them? While you can call the exterminators on rats and set up snares for foxes, it can be a better, cheaper and kinder idea to try to deter them from your garden first. Equally, it's worth remembering that killing nuisance birds like pigeons is actually illegal in the UK. They're protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act from 1981, which prohibits the harming of wild birds, their nests (while they're occupied) or their eggs. A great and safe way to prevent them from snuffling around your garden is to make it less appealing. This can be done by adding foods or herbs that they dislike the smell and taste of. Lucky for humans, while many of us enjoy a spicy meal, pests certainly do not. Fantastic Pest Control advises sprinkling spices around your plants to keep naughty critters at bay. One of the best options is chilli powder is a natural deterrent for many animals as they find its intense flavour irritating to digest. Much like with humans, it burns their mouths and triggers pain receptors. Fortunately, if you don't have chilli powder at home, they also aren't a fan of the strong kick that comes from cinnamon, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Simply leave fabric bags near your plants, or scatter it directly into the soil. Most of these spices can be picked up cheaply at your local supermarket. For examples, Sainsbury's sells chilli powder for just 75p. Although, it's important to note that this is just a temporary solution. You will need to top up your spice barrier after it rains, as otherwise it will be washed away. If you notice animals are still coming back, there are other measures you can take. This includes covering your crops with a netting that blocks animals from worming their way inside. Alternatively, be careful not to overfeed your crops with fertiliser or compost. The excess food may attract animals to your garden beds.
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Banish ants and flies in your home this summer using just one natural cure that they hate
As we enter the summer months, hungry flies and ants will be sneaking into UK homes hoping for a fermented feast. Fortunately, there is one cheap and easy way to put them off their dinner The warmer days are finally here, and many of us will be looking forward to getting out and about in nature. As much as you may love the great outdoors, however, there are certain elements that most of us hope to keep firmly outside our homes - pesky flies and ants. Everything blooms in springtime, and this unfortunately also includes hungry insects hell-bent on nibbling away at your BBQ leftovers. Thankfully, there is a way to banish cheeky flies and ants from your home this summer, and you'll likely already have all you need lurking at the back of your fridge. READ MORE: 'Powerful' natural item to bury in hydrangea soil to help huge blooms It's all too easy to roll out the welcome mat for these tiny unwelcome guests. Sweet-toothed ants may be lured by the slightest spill of a fizzy drink or a stray drop of honey. They will also leave a scent trail which serves two purposes - allowing them to find their way back to their nest, and guiding their fellow hungry ants in the direction of the tempting food source. All too quickly, you may find your kitchen becoming the go-to dinner spot for a minuscule army. Flies have slightly different palates, but ultimately, their quest for food will also result in the same tiresome issue. Overripe or decaying fruit - and especially bananas - will send fruit flies buzzing straight in the direction of your kitchen counter, as will wine, beer and spoiled milk. Fruit flies specifically seek out fermenting organic matter, which provides both a food source and a place to lay their eggs. Meanwhile, houseflies, the other type of fly commonly found in domestic spaces, love nothing more than decay and rot, and will likely find the contents of your bin positively delectable if it's been out for a few days in the heat. Fortunately, there is a natural solution that will put off ants and flies alike - a good old-fashioned lemon. As previously reported by the Daily Express, experts from Fantastic Pest Control have revealed: 'While the lemon method will not kill the ants or flies, it is a powerful deterrent and can force them to relocate for good." All you need to do is figure out the places where the ants and flies are getting in, and place half a lemon there, replacing it before any decay can set in. And if this doesn't do the trick, you can take things a step further. According to the experts: 'Dilute the juice from four lemons in one litre of water and use a baster to squirt this concoction into the nest entrances. You can also use this mixture to clean your floor and kitchen counters to remove any scent trails used by the ants.' Meanwhile, pest control gurus at Abell claim adding cloves to a lemon could well work like a charm, suggesting: 'Lemons and cloves are two natural scents that can help keep the common ants and flies away. Using lemons and cloves to keep these pests away is an easy and fast remedy, as flies and ants can't stand the smell of either. 'Use two lemons and cut them into halves. Then insert between six and 12 cloves directly into the lemon halves. Place the lemons, which almost look like a decoration, on a plate near your meal. No flies or ants will bother you as you dig in.' Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
