Latest news with #pestcontrol
BBC News
3 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Hereford firm sees 'phenomenal' rise in callouts over wasp nests
A Herefordshire pest control expert said he had seen a large rise in callouts over wasps this year, with about 40% more than usual. Dave Atkinson, who owns ARD Pest Control in Hereford, believes the population had risen "phenomenally" this year, which included "such a mild winter and early spring".His work has escalated because of multiple wasp nests at sites, including one client who had 11 nests at their property over about four or five weeks. Mr Atkinson said the wasp increase had kept the firm very busy for the past eight experts have said very warm and dry conditions can "commonly coincide" with strong years for wasps. Mr Atkinson said in previous years "you would just get one or two nests at a site".He added for the client with 11 "you can imagine the problems that they would have had, if they had been left".The pest control expert said: "I'm getting in lots of fours, fives and sixes at clients' properties now."So as far as client callouts [are concerned] it's probably gone 40% more than usual."Asked if he had seen the wasp population increase over the years and especially in 2025 because of the heatwaves, he replied: "I would say particularly this year."This was "due to the fact that we had such a mild winter and early spring", he said. He added the "population has increased phenomenally this year, as far as the pest control service callouts" requested were concerned. Mr Atkinson stressed he dealt with a wasp nest "cautiously", adding "you use specialist chemicals that are registered for that job specifically within the health and safety industry"."Mostly it's a powder that you inject directly into the nest or in close proximity to the nest... The wasps then carry the material into the nest and [it] actually wipes the whole nest out." The UK has about 9,000 species of wasps, most of them are solitary and do not live in large colonies and these are generally not a nuisance to humans. Wasp experts say they also are an important part of our eco-system, capturing insects such as caterpillars and greenfly. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Independent
8 hours ago
- Science
- The Independent
The race against time to save iconic palm trees from tiny bug
& Nayara Batschke Uruguay 's iconic palm trees are facing a devastating attack from the red palm weevil, a 5-centimetre insect that arrived from Southeast Asia in 2022. The pest has already devoured thousands of palms across the country, with half of Montevideo's 19,000 trees now infected. The weevil causes trees to collapse within weeks by boring into trunks and allowing larvae to tunnel and consume internal tissue. Despite initial delays, Uruguayan authorities have now declared the fight against the weevil a "national priority," allocating funds for pesticides and other control methods. There are growing fears that the weevil could spread to native trees in Uruguay's UNESCO biosphere reserve and potentially across the South American continent.
The Sun
11 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Scattering a £1.49 Aldi buy around your plants will stop root rot, slug-proof your garden & banish pesky weeds
SUMMER is here and if you're planning on spending it relaxing in your garden, this budget buy may be worth picking up. Aldi shoppers can pick up the handy item - that's not only delicious to eat but their shells can repel pests from your outdoor space. 1 Aldi's £1.49 kitchen buy Next time you buy Aldi's pistachios - that sell for just £1.49 - don't' just throw their shells into the trash or recycling bin. For the gardeners among us, they could actually be more useful than you realize. Just as there are ways to use those old coffee grounds in your garden and plant pots, there are ways to put your pistachio shells to work in your soil. They have several properties that make them the perfect repellent for pests, including hard, sharp edges, and a very slow breakdown time. Crushed pistachios scattered around plants make it difficult for pests to enter, and too uncomfortable for them to stick around for any length of time. They can take up to three years to decompose, so better to have them on pest control while they are doing it rather than just sitting in a landfill reports You can also use whole shells as a top layer in your garden to deter larger animals like squirrels from digging in your garden soil. Because of the fibrous texture of pistachio shells, they also absorb odors easily, making them amazing little natural diffusers. Soak the shells in essential oils that act as natural repellents like peppermint oil, sprinkle them around the garden, and watch as pests turn the other way. Other ways to use pistachio shells in the garden Pistachio shells work well as mulch, suppressing weeds and balancing moisture in the soil. Wake up to a weed-free lawn for months thanks to Aldi's £10 gadget that pulls them out without bending or kneeling down Use whole shells by layering them on top of your soil, or mixing them in with leaf mulch to create a protective layer that helps to regulate soil temperatures and insulate roots. As the shells slowly break down, they add nutrients to the soil. This also makes them an excellent addition to compost piles, where they help increase soil aeration, add carbon to soil, and increase microbial activity. The shells can also be used in potted plants to increase drainage and prevent root rot. Simply add about an inch of shells to the bottom of your pot before adding your soil. The shells will collect any excess water that the plant doesn't need, keeping the roots from getting inundated and potentially rotting. There's just one caveat to using pistachio shells in your garden and potted plants. Make sure to rinse them before using them if they were salted, as too much sodium in soil can be toxic to plants. Other garden hacks A DIY fan and savvy saver has shared five tricks to glam up your garden whilst staying on a budget. Shelley Carline not only transformed her grubby patio for just £20, but she also swears by a free tip that makes a huge difference to your space. Wasps pose a menace to many this summer - however, a cleaning whizz has suggested not only a surprising but also affordable way to fend them away. And luckily for those on a budget, who don't have much cash to splash on pricey cleaning products, this simple trick is totally free.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
X Factor star reveals surprise career change and it's got nothing to do with music
X Factor star Sam Callahan has taken a surprising career turn away from music. The Essex singer appeared on the reality TV show in 2013 at the age of 19 but he has since tried his hand at a whole host of different careers. Now, a post shared to his Instagram page revealed how he is working as a marksman in a huge move away from his music background. He runs his own company, called Essex Country Marksman, which offers pest control and wildlife management across the county. According to his business' social media, Sam specialises in wild game management, with a range of photographs showing him posing with rifles. The description reads: 'Professional, ethical pest control & UK wild game management with rifles. 'Fully insured, discreet & accurate. Ideal for rural properties in Essex.' A recent post, shared to the platform last week, showed Sam modelling his hunting gear while holding an air rifle. He captioned the images: 'Putting the @jack_pyke gear to the test, with some great shooting out on the farm today. Good quality 'get up' breeds good performance if you ask me!' Sam also works with a local butcher to process small game - including rabbits or pigeons - that he captures through his work. That is not his only business as he is also the owner of On The Limit, where he works as a car tuning specialist. Car tuning refers to modifying vehicles to improve their performance, usually for racing or to enhance the driving experience. However, Sam has not completely left his love of music behind and took to the stage to perform at Bournemouth Pride, which took place on July 11 and 12. Sam rose to fame on The X Factor back in 2013, where he impressed the judges with his rendition of James Blunt's You're Beautiful in the audition rounds. The then 19-year-old soared into the live shows but ultimately came in 7th place, being beaten by Sam Bailey, who won the 10th series of the talent show The then 19-year-old was part of the 'Boys' category and was mentored by Louis Walsh during his stint on the competition. He soared into the live shows but ultimately came in 7th place, being beaten by Sam Bailey, who won the 10th series of the talent show. When Louis quit The X Factor back in 2018, Sam branded him as 'useless' and claimed he 'didn't know what he was talking about'. Sam said at the time: 'I'd rather have someone young and hungry and a bit more with the times, [rather] than someone who can tell me about their credentials, but probably can't keep up in this day and age.' The X Factor first launched in 2004 and its final episode aired on screens in December 2018, though it wasn't officially cancelled until 2021.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
X Factor star Sam Callahan reveals shocking new job and it's worlds away from music
SAM Callahan 's new career is a huge pivot from his rise to fame as a pop star on X Factor. Essex singer Sam appeared on the reality singing series in 2013 and since then has moved into a number of different careers, including a racing car driver. 5 But a recent post on his Instagram revealed that the 31-year-old now works as a marksman for his own company which offers pest control and wildlife management in Essex. Sam modeled some of the gear he wears and uses, including a 12ft/lbs air rifle sub. "Putting the @jack_pyke gear to the test, with some great shooting out on the farm today. Good quality 'get up' breeds good performance if you ask me," Sam captioned the post where he posed in camouflage gear while holding the large rifle. The business is described as "professional and ethical pest control and UK wild game management, carried out using precision rifle methods and "ideal for rural properties across Essex." Along with modelling some of his favourite hunting clothes, Sam also revealed he'd recently partnered with a local butcher to process small game, such as rabbit, pigeon or partridge among others, that he captures through his work. "Proud to be turning pest control into a real food resource and reducing waste whilst helping landowners manage their properties," Sam wrote on the business' Facebook page. Sam also runs another business where he offers mobile car retuning around Essex. But the X Factor alum has not given up on singing entirely and last week performed a set at Bournemouth Pride, where he sang a number of cover songs, including Prince's Purple Rain and Robbie Williams' Rock DJ. Sam has also worked as a personal trainer and a racing car driver, including behind the wheel of a sporty Porsche, on the GT4 Supercup series. As if that all wasn't enough, Sam regularly stars in Christmas pantomimes. Sam Callahan sings You're Beautiful by James Blunt in his X Factor audtion The singer still has a legion of fans thanks to his X Factor fame, as proven by the fact he's able to knock out calendars of himself topless year after year. Sam was mentored by Louis Walsh on X Factor, but he didn't quite make it to the final on X Factor with a performance of Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls seeing him bow out of the contest. Last year, Sam popped the question to girlfriend, Charlie, a veterinary nurse and the pair will soon tie the knot. 5 5
