Mammal Pest Control

Moles are active throughout the year, however activity is greater during late winter and early spring. Moles are known to be very territorial and as such one mole can take over a large area, creating multiple molehills as he creates his tunnel system.

Unfortunately there is very little that can be done to prevent moles entering into an area.

There are many claims that pouring products into the holes can deter them, however there is no scientific evidence to support this being effective. Introducing these products into the ground also poses a danger to any small creatures which also live in the soil and can cause them unnecessary suffering.

Here at ACD Pest Control we use trapping, as this is the most universally applicable and dependable method of mole control, providing quick, humane results.

SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE MOLES

Fresh mounds of earth that appear overnight in gardens and other grassy areas (new molehills will have loose, damp soil; older hills will be flatter and the earth more compacted).

Raised ridges in the ground, caused by the extensive tunnel systems moles create.

DO WE NEED TO GET PEST CONTROL INVOLVED?

It depends, some of our customers will be happy to leave them be as they are not known to carry any disease, however the below should be considered before making a decision:

Mole runs can disturb roots, impeding the growth of crops, flowers, plants and lawns.

When moles tunnel through the ground they can push stones up to the surface which can damage mowers.

On grounds where animals are present the uneven ground (caused by the raised ridges and molehills) can cause animals to fall and become injured.

Many customers find the molehills unsightly, particularly on landscaped gardens.

There are several reasons why grey squirrels pose a serious hazard to humans, animals and the environment. Not only can they cause a significant amount of costly damage to properties (such as gnawing on wood, pipes and electrical wires), they are also responsible for the destruction of forests and declining numbers of red squirrels. 

Grey squirrels are not native to the UK and as such it is illegal to release a grey squirrel back into the wild once it has been trapped. For this reason once a squirrel has been trapped it has to be dispatched in a humane way.

We have heard many horror stories of people drowning squirrels after catching them, which is a cruel and illegal method. Employing the services of a professional pest company ensures they are dispatched humanely and legally.

When dealing with an active squirrel infestation inside a property it is important that the squirrel is removed prior to any proofing work being undertaken as they can otherwise cause further damage beyond the proofed area to try to regain access, attempting to return to young they have left in the property whilst out foraging for food.

Once the pest squirrel has been removed we identify and recommend any proofing required to prevent future access for squirrels. This proofing work can be undertaken by the homeowner themselves or we can provide a quote to complete this work.

For sites where there is an on-going extensive presence of squirrels we can also advise and provide a long-term control programme.

SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE a SQUIRREL problem

Hearing bumping around or scratching noises in the loft or wall cavities.

Droppings or a urine smell in the attic.

Regular sightings of squirrels around the property and/or squirrels frequently seen near the roofline or atop tall fences.

Trees which have been stripped of their bark within the garden.

Damage (holes) in vents or damage to insulation within the loft.

Food being taken from bird feeders.

Bird feeders being moved or knocked over.

Many of the signs you have a squirrel problem are similar to those you may see when dealing with a rat infestation. We have several years of experience and knowledge to identify the subtle differences between the two to ensure the correct control method is used.

DO WE NEED TO GET PEST CONTROL INVOLVED?

In most situations, yes, we would always advise to involve pest control as soon as a squirrel problem is identified.

There are several key pieces of legislation which govern how squirrels are dealt with and acting against these can lead to fines and prosecution. There are no poisons available on the amateur market for squirrels, however as a professional pest control company we have access to poison which can be used to eradicate squirrels. We are also trained and qualified to trap and dispatch squirrels in a humane way, ensuring that all legal obligations are met.

As with many pest issues, prevention is always better than cure, so if you are aware your property requires external proofing it is always best to undertake this work prior to a pest finding their way in.

We are happy to visit properties and assess them for any proofing required, advising customers on how best to proceed and completing the proofing work if they do not wish to undertake this themselves.

Wild rabbits pose several issues to both landowners and homeowners alike. They can cause a massive loss in crop productivity and sometimes up-to 100% total loss. Rabbits will happily munch through wheat, oats, barley and will also attack vegetables, fruit, flowers and bulbs.

One sole rabbit can cause 1% crop loss per hectare and with their incredible reproduction rate (one female rabbit can produce up to 60 young per year) it is easy to see how entire crops can be lost if a rabbit problem is allowed to continue.

Loss of crops isn’t the only problem rabbits create, their burrowing undermines the ground which can collapse and destabilise structures above. The cost of the damage to repair collapsed roads, buildings and even railroads can run into the thousands and the more rabbits there are, the bigger the problem will become.

Rabbits can also carry diseases such as tularaemia. Often immune to these themselves they then pass these on to other animals and humans. Mites and ticks can also be passed on from rabbits to humans or other animals.

We have many years of experience providing rabbit control on a variety of sites, including farmlands, parks and recreational grounds. We use a variety of methods to control rabbits on a site, the approach taken will be assessed to ensure maximum control whilst taking into account the site conditions and extent of the infestation.

Learn more about landowners responsibilities to control rabbit numbers here.

Foxes are becoming more and more common in urban areas and can carry a range of parasites and diseases that are hazardous to the health of domestic pets and people. In particular, foxes are known to transmit numerous contagious diseases which can seriously affect the health of pet dogs and cats.

Dogs can be infected with fox mange by simply rolling around on the same patch of grass a fox has rolled around in, you can read more on this on the Pets4Homes website.

Fox control is a specialist service, contact us to arrange a visit to discuss how we can help rid you of foxes on your land.

how to prevent foxes becoming a problem

Ensure waste is stored in securely lidded metal waste bins.

Do not leave food scraps out in the garden.

Install solid fencing around the property, this may not completely prevent them accessing the garden but it will deter them, making it more difficult for them to cross onto your land.

Store pet food in strong containers with securely fitted lids.

Clean up any food debris left from bird feeders.

There are 18 species of bats within the UK and all are legally protected, in addition to their roosts.

Bats are not considered a pest and their numbers are sadly in decline, so protection of them is crucial.

Part of our duties when carrying out pest control within properties is to ensure the presence of bats or bat roosts are considered prior to carrying out any works.

It is illegal to disturb, damage or destroy bats or their roosts and we work closely alongside local bat ecologist Tim Smith at Five Valleys Ecology if we identify or suspect bats have been, or are currently roosting within properties we inspect.