As a pest controller I am always interested in keeping up to date with industry news and how pest control is implemented in society.

So for some time now I have been reading the blog of a New York Pest Control company called JP McHale Pest Management.

Bed Bug Control by JP McHale

They are a US based family run business offering a a vast array of services, but what I like is the curren-tness of the information they display and the obvious knowledge within the Company.

I love to read stories of bed bug infestations and problems- everybody thinks that it wont happen to them….have a look at their recent article on New York’s Government is stepping in on the Bed Bug problem for example..

The site is also a mine of information on not just identifying pests but also the likely methods of control that may be implemented- again see their bed bug pages.

I suppose what I’m saying is that overall they provide a fantastic model for any independent business in the pest control sector- having been established in 1971 they will have certainly seen some changes in the pest control sector.  Still owned and run by family members it’s a credit to their professionalism and ability to adapt to a changing environemnt- indeed a quote from their site

“    Today it is well known within our service community we provide innovative pest solutions, anchored by family values, in the most environmentally responsible manner    “.

So if you are :

• 1) Looking for a decent read from across the pond on pest control in the news, or

• 2) Looking for comprehensive library of facts about pests, pest ID, pest treatments, or

• 3) A business model/approach for a modern pest control Company.

Then you would do well to have a look round  the JP McHale Pest Management website

Fenland Environmental Services are pleased to let you know that we cover all of Cambridgeshire including Soham, Littleport, Fordham etc.

Fenland Rats

If you have a pest problem at home, at your place of work or in fact almost anywhere then we can assist you.

We operate just outside of Ely and so are within 10 mins of both Soham and Littlpeort.  An we obviosuly service all the villages in between i.e. Fordham, Wicken, Little Downham, Sutton, Mepal for example.

Regardless of if you have wasps, rats, mice, squirrels, moles, rabbits etc then we can provide assistance.

For the 2010 year our wasp nest removal and treatment prices have remained fixed at £44

If you give us a call on Tel 01353 634 777 we can in most cases give you rough idea of pricing.

We are confident and able to provide a service to all industries and domestic households

Fenland Environmental Services are wholly independant and suitably trained and qualified in our field.   Our service operates 7 days a week with no additional charges for weekends or early morning/evenings call outs.

East Cambs Council do offer a pest control service and for many domestic clients they may be cheaper although for example or fee for wasp nest removal/treatment is less than theirs.

So if you live or work in the Soham and Littlport area why not give us a call for an informal chat to see if we can assist…..

For more information you can visit our pest control homepage

Pest Control Soham | Pest Control Littleport

Fenland Environmental Services are pleased to let you know that we cover all of Cambridgeshire including Chatteris and March.

Fenland Rats

If you have a pest problem at home, at your place of work or in fact almost anywhere then we can assist you.

We operate out of Ely and so are within 15 mins of Chatteris and 25 minutes of March.   Regardless of if you have wasps, rats, mice, squirrels, moles, rabbits etc then we can provide assistance.

If you give us a call on Tel 01353 634 777 we can in most cases give you rough idea of pricing.

We are confident and able to provide a service to all industries and domestic households

Fenland Environmental Services are wholly independant and suitably trained and qualified in our field.   Our service operates 7 days a week with no additional charges for weekends or early morning/evenings call outs.

Fenland District Council do offer a pest control service and for many domestic clients they may be cheaper although for example or fee for wasp nest removal/treatment is less than theirs.

So if you live of work in the Chatteris and March area why not give us a call for an informal chat to see if we can assist…..

For more information you can visit our pest control homepage

Pest Control Chatteris | Pest Control March

Warmer weather  = relief from rats and mice in the home/business ??

A common conception is that as the weather warms up the pest problem posed by rats and mice diminshes accordingly; and conversely that when cooler weather appears the problems increase.

Well there is logic in this argument.  In warmer weather there is less need for rodents to look for shelter i.e your house/garage for protection from the element. It also follows that warmer weather general means more natural foo sources.

However, in the past 7 days our pest control service has seen and abnormally high call out rate for both rats and mice in houses.

So, regardless of the weater make sure you keep your house/business pest free with good hygiene/good housekeeping and other preventative measures- otherwise you are going to be calling us too…

Fenland Environmental Services provide pest control thoughout Cambridge and Cambridgeshire.

Fenland Environmental Services are pleased to launch their new undertaking to provide a professional, reliable and competent fencing service operating across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Fenland Fencing will be trading under the parent Ltd Company of Fenland Environmental Services (a Company Registered in England and Wales; Reg # 6968338).

After installing gates, and agricultural fencing for many projects and customers the addition of a full fencing service followed naturally.

We offer domestic fencing i.e. garden fences and gates, commercial and security fencing and agricultural fencing. We do have a specialism in deer and rabbit proof fence installation.

Our domestic fencing service will operate across Cambridgeshire i.e. Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket, St.Ives, Huntingdon etc.  Our commercial and security fencing operates across East Anglia.

Although the East of England is not exactly renowned for its stock farm we have considerable experience in installing post and wire and stock fencing systems and will happily provide this across the East.

One of the major costs for horse owners is the provision of appropriate and secure fencing.  In most cases to keep horses in, but in some instances to restrict the entry of other unwanted species, including humans.  The traditional paddock fencing system has been Post and Rail fences, and this system is still hugely popular today (and rightly so). Post and rail is relatively cheap, long lasting, functional and additionally is not visually unpleasant.  Fenland Fencing supply and install post and rail fencing across Cambridgeshire and the neighbouring counties.

We are proud of our quality of work and happily provide informal quotations on request. If you are looking for a fencing service in the Eastern region then please do take moment to get in contact with us by visiting our new Fencing service site

If you have a unsightly or unwanted tree stump, and are based in East Anglia, we are pleased to let you know that we offer a tree stump removal and stump grinding service.

Please look at our main page here >>>>  Tree stump removal and grinding in Cambridgeshire <<<<

After you have had a tree felled or cut down what to do with the stump can be a real problem.  If you have ever tried to dig one out you will understand what I am saying here….

Tree stump grinding and removal

We provide a professional, friendly and local service for the removal of tree stumps.. Once we’ve been in then you can do whatever you like where the old stump used to be.

We do not use excavators but a specialised machine that fits into most gardens with ease.  it simply uses a serious of blades to turn the stump and surface roots into harmless chippings.

So for more information please visit our main tree stump removal page

Mole mountains- catching moles in East Anglia

It appears that moles, the little critters that push up huge mounds of soil in your garden, paddock or fields are on the increase.

Indeed a recent figure quotes some 33 million of them in the UK!!

Since the banning of strychnine poisoning of moles many so called mole-controllers are no longer working i.e. they haven’t the skills to undertake traditional mole catching using traps, and spade and run probe and some ‘knowledge’.  The humble mole catcher is apparently enjoying a surge in demand.

The full article can be read here

There are many suggestions as to why the mole population is soaring so rapidly, including climate change, resulting in milder winters and better conditions for moles, and the EU banning a 60-year practice of using strychnine.

The deadly poison was banned on health grounds meaning the only control methods left are trapping and gassing.

Fenland Environmental Services are qualified in the use of gassing products although we always prefer the use or taps for a number of reasons:

• Efficacy
• Operator and bystander safety
• Environmentally friendly (no chemicals)
• Operator and bystander safety, and most importantly
• Humane

We operate mole catching and control services across East Anglia: our domestic service is really limited to those areas within 45 mins of Cambridge whilst we catch moles all over Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk for commercial and industrial clients.

We are always happy to talk to people about moles so please do get in contact if you have an issue….

Pest Control Cambridge | Pest Controllers in East Anglia | Mole catcher in Cambridgeshire

Pest Control in Mildenhall

Pest control Mildenhall

If you are based in and around Mildenhall, and are in need of pest control or pest extermination services, then we can offer assistance.

Fenland Environmental Services are based near Ely, Cambs and are thus your local provider of pest control services [we are only 15 miles away!].  We provide pest control throughout this area i.e. Soham, Isleham, Chippenham etc.  and we always try and encourage people to use their local contractor.

We provide pest control across the range of species you are likely to encounter as either a homeowener or a business:

• Rats and rodent control
• Mice
• Fleas
• Bedbugs
• Squirrels
• Moles and mole catching
• Cluster flies
• Wasps…

In fact, if you name the pest it is likely that we can come up with a solution….

Many houses in and around Mildenhall are let to USAF personnel, so if you are a lanlord or a tennant requiring pest control please get in touch with us for some informal advice.

If you are looking for qualified, independent and local pest control in Mildenhall area then we fit that description. Please feel free to get in contact with us for some friendly advice.

Telephone:  01353 634 777

Telephone:  01223 967 007

Mobile:         07591 627 427

Cold weather brings pest control problems for householders and business owners alike.

The cold snap has been with us for about 3 weeks now and an unfortunate side affect that we have noted, not unexpectedly, is an increase in the number of call outs for rat and mouse problems we have received.  The level of calls for rats and mice in houses has risen and we expect it continue.

There are a couple of logical explanations for this issue:

• The cold weather means that food has become both scarcer (covered in snow and/or frozen in situ) and yet more important (to maintain their body condition in the cold rodents would need to increase their food intake).  This taken with the fact that the winter months in general are more barren for food means the mice and rats are venturing into houses, sheds, garages etc in search of food.

• Secondly, many areas are suffering from either delayed or cancelled refuse collection services.  Obviously with refuse and food waste lying around for longer than normal, there is an increasing likelihood of rats coming closer to the house for example.

• Lastly, nobody likes to be cold, and rodents are no different.  The cold weather effectively drives the rats and mice indoors for both shelter and warmth.

So please keep an eye out for potential rodent issues in and around your house.  Keep the refuse bagged up, watch the bird feeding, make sure the shed/garage doors fit properly.  In general make your house as unattractive as possible to any potential critters….

We provide pest control services in Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket, Huntingdon and across Cambridgeshire.

The availability of electric fencing has transformed free-range poultry keeping. It is arguable that without it, the keeping of extensive commercial flocks would never have happened. Electric fencing has been used in wildlife conservation and is particularly effective in ground-nesting Plover and Tern breeding sites around the world where foxes predate on the nests extremely heavily.

• Study on Fox predation on Lesser Tern Colony

“Tracks and scats of the foxes were first noticed near the colony on 28th. May, and almost daily thereafter. On 18, 19, and 20th. June, observers recorded that the incubating terns seemed “skittish, nervous and uneasy.” This phenomenon was first thought to be associated with hatching but no chicks were noted. Nest numbers decreased from 138 to 129 on 20th. June, to 61 on 22nd. June. By 23rd. June only 45 tern nests remained. Fox tracks crisscrossed the colony. On 24th. June the electric fence was erected. On 25th. June we noted a slight increase to 48 nests; a week later, 2nd. July, we counted 60 nests, and by 6th. July, 85 nests. Fresh fox tracks were seen near the colony, but they never came closer than 10 ft to the electric fence, no tracks were found in the trial area. New nests outside the fence were consistently taken by the Foxes – none survived.”

• Beacon LagoonsNature Reserve Easington, East Yorkshire

Hull University have completed a study on the new 125m (410ft) turbine at the Croda Europe plant in Hull assessing the effect they have on the wild life. The fear is that birds are flying into the spinning blades. Initial assessments were not considered successful even if no dead or injured birds were found below the turbines as fox spoor was prevalent. The assumption was that these foxes were picking up any birds struck by the blades. A fence was subsequently erected. “No evidence of fox prints at all were found whilst the fence was up and operational, the ground was soft for the majority of the study (sometimes frozen however), and so I would assume that tracks would have been easily visible. Before the erection of the fence, the site was covered in fox spoor and so the fence has appeared to certainly deter if not eliminate the foxes entirely from the area within the fence.” Anna Phelps.B.Sc (hons), M.Sc. Researcher. There is only one thing that will stop a fox dead..it comes out the end of a gun!

Electric fencing is extremely portable and versatile; it may be used on its own for both permanent and temporary fencing and has been used around the world to control every mammal in some guise or other. It is cheaper, easier to erect, more effective and far safer than a barbed wire and is a fraction of the cost of a fox-proof wire mesh fence.

Permanent electric boundary fence lines should be constructed from four strands of solid hotShock electrical wire on insulated poles spaced at intervals suitable for foxes. Domestic stock is easily controlled but predators are quite a different situation. In the search for food they have to overcome different obstacles and the most difficult is fear of humans. Even a shock from a sub-standard electric fence is not too big problem for a lactating mother, hungry, wounded or old predator to crawl or jump through the fence. A carnivore has to learn to respect an electric fence and the operational efficiency must be high for electric fencing to repel the carnivore penetration. If a fence lacks operational efficiency then animals will soon overcome their “fear of the fence” and it may take several weeks of training to re-block them. A fox does not burrow under an effective Electric fence nor jump over it due to the psychological imprint created. A range of hotShock energizers have been developed to counter this problem. They run at a higher voltage than standard energizers so are very effective at controlling both poultry and foxes.

Lightweight electric poultry netting is available, that can be dismantled, bundled up and re-erected further on. It is effective at allowing poultry access to specific grazing areas, as well as excluding a fox. The netting is made of polythene and stainless steel conducting twine and is erected with support poles and ground spikes. When taking a net down, do not try and roll it up, this causes a mess. Simply gather the posts together allowing the nets to fold against themselves.

An adequately designed and constructed electric fence works by the combination of a weak physical barrier (the fence) and a strong psychological imprint (the 6000v sting) created in the mind of the animal. An energizer attached to the fence wires produces a short but painful sting when touched by the animal, similar to a sharp “thwack” from a riding crop. The low amperage (15-100mA) and short duration (about 1/300th. of a second) results in a sharp but safe sting that then creates a psychological barrier that the animal associates with the fence and discourages it from touching again. Fortunately it only takes one or two animals to be affected and the rest will copy these, called “Socially Conditioned Avoidance”.

The majority of Electric fence problems arise from 2 sources, the energizer was inadequate to start with or the underground post being incorrect. Sort those two out and you should have good results. If a good fence is installed and a few criteria are adhered to, the maintenance on an electric fence may be LESS than other fences.

A “wimpy” fence energizer gives you a wimpy fence. Animals will think a single strand fence is a joke without a strong bite and they’ll walk right through it. Please buy one that puts out lots of power. During a wet year, you may have lots of plant growth touching the wires. That’s when you will need extra oomph to power through the heavy, wet vegetation. Better quality energizers will burn off a fair amount of casual vegetation and assist in maintaining a good fence, but this should not be counted on to maintain your fence. Electric netting is very resource hungry in itself so more powerful 12v or mains energizers are required. A 9v energizer will only run 1 net at best.

A rusty piece of metal buried a few inches underground is not an adequate earth post. Rust is not a good conductor and the long-term chemical reactions between the soil and metal result in the majority of problems. 12v systems and above require a stainless steel or galvanised earth post at least 1m long driven into wet soil to be totally efficient. The more soil/metal contact that can be achieved, the better.