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IINSECTS

Cockroaches, Pharaoh Ants, Garden Ants, Wasps, Ground Beetle, Furniture beetles, Moths, Crawling Insects, Stored Product Insects and many more ..

It is estimated that there are over a million different insects on the planet. Over 800,000 have already been discovered, described and named. New species are being discovered constantly, at a rate, which suggests that a million may be a considerable underestimate.

Many insects are beneficial, but some are fiercely competitive with humans. Insects are not only numerous, but also amongst the most adaptable of all animals. Their adaptability combined with their tremendous rate of reproduction gives insects an unqualified potential for survival.

Insects form the largest and most successful group of animals in the world.

Many of the insects now found in our Country carry disease, feed on human food, clothing or housing and cause stress to humans and animals with painful bites and stings.

Insects find their way into buildings via a number of ways, open doors and windows, drainage systems, pets or by being carried in, hidden amongst goods or supplies. All buildings provide shelter, warmth and food. This enables them to become rapidly established regardless of the type of premises.

Avenue Pest Control specialise in the eradication and prevention of insect pests within the city centre environment. The pesticides we use are constantly tested against specific insect types and environments, which at this time are ever changing.

Our methods and products in conjunction with detailed surveys and reports highlighting hygiene, proofing and storage recommendations ensure rapid control of any insect infestation. Upon control being gained our continuous service visits then ensure constant protection and peace of mind to all of our clients.

RODENTS

The presence of Rodents in a building can be catastrophic to both reputation and building fabric. Mice and rats need to gnaw constantly as their teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. They often turn their destructive instincts to pipe work, electrical cables and actual buildings, often causing fires floods and expensive repair bills. Rodents are also the vectors of human disease, including tuberculosis, salmonella gastro- enteritis, rat bite fever, leptospirosis (weils disease) and numerous others all of can cause death. Their droppings and fur will also contaminate food preparation surfaces and foodstuffs. Rodents are incontinent and consequently foul wherever they travel.

Rodents also breed at an alarming rate. It is estimated that if two mice were left in a building with a food source for twelve months their population would grow to 2000.

Many insurance companies will no longer insure against rodent damage.

The use of rodenticidal contact dusts, gels, baits and traps will, when used professionally control an ongoing rodent infestation. Rodenticidal treatment is only part of the story. More importantly, a thorough survey to ascertain where the infestation is coming from, the extent of infestation and exactly what rodenticide should be used. However unless used carefully in conjunction with effective proofing measures a vacuum effect may be caused and, in a matter of weeks, re-infestation may occur. Avenue Pest Control provides concise reports on proofing and developed proven programs this.

Below you will find some information about the mostt commonly found pests in the UK. However, if the information you require is not listed or the pest you would like removing is not there, then please give us a call as we WILL be able to help you.
BIRDS

Feral Pigeon (Columba livia domest.)

The presence of feral pigeons (Columba livia ) roosting on buildings gives rise to many problems.


Wherever pigeons establish themselves they accumulate droppings and nesting materials. Pigeon fouling makes buildings look dirty and shabby, and causes corrosion of mortar and masonry. In wet weather especially, droppings make pavements dangerously slippery, which can cause injuries to staff, clients and the general public.
The presence of pigeons poses a very real threat to the people living or working in an area. Pigeons not only introduce a variety of flies, textile pests and parasites, which cause damage and distress, they can also carry bacteria and viruses, which can be transmitted to humans.

Herring Gull ( Larus argentatus )

Herring gulls are widespread in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa. The species breeds along practically the entire European coast from the Baltic to the Mediterranean, and along the Black and Caspian Sea coasts. This is the commonest gull around the British coasts at all seasons and roosts in immense numbers. Its huge nesting colonies are mainly scattered along coastal cliffs but also nest on roofs in large numbers.The herring gull scavenges in large numbers in harbours for fish dropped by fishing fleets but will also eat scraps from refuse tips and bins, food dropped or thrown by holiday makers, often taking larger pieces of food back to their roosting and nesting sites. These sites are often littered with bits of bone, feathers, eggshell, fur etc.Herring gulls are moving in land at a rate of 10% per year and are starting to be a problem in our major Towns and Cities.The herring gull is a large bird 56 cm in length with an angled yellow beak with a red spot and pale pink legs. They are predominantly white with grey wings and back with black markings on their wingtips. There is little very little difference between the male and female plumage.They breed in huge colonies, often numbering many thousands of pairs. In May or June the female lays three eggs in nests that are a structure of sticks and bits of vegetation. If the clutch is lost she will always lay another one. The herring gull eggs are approximately 65mm by 47 mm brown speckled greys /green. Both partners incubate for 26-28 days and the young are able to fly at about 40-42 days. The adults will still be feeding the young at this stage.Herring gulls multiply at the expense of other birds, particularly ducks and terns. In recent years measures have been taken to try to reduce numbers, with little effect.Apart from endangering other species of birds there is a risk to the health of humans caused by their fouling, both by disease and by slipping over. Herring gulls have very similar eating habits to that of the feral pigeon and so probably carry the same diseases.The fouling is unsightly and damaging to buildings and can cause blockage in guttering, gullies etc. particularly if there are quantities of feathers, leaves, bones and other debris, with, often disastrous and costly consequences.Birds are often entertaining and attractive to watch, particularly when being fed and it is this type of thoughtless behaviour and acceptance that make some species the pests that they have become.A programme of bird proofing work can significantly reduce the high cost of cleaning and redecoration minimising the health and safety risk for you and your clients. There are many diseases associated with birds and their fouling, in particular, pigeons.

Bird fouling supports many bacterial and fungal spores many of these being transmittable to humans. Fouling also supports infestations of flying and biting insects and mites, which are, in many instances, vectors of human disease.Some diseases associated with bird fouling are:

Ornithosis (psittacosis) .

This is a disease carried by Feral pigeons and poses a potential human risk. Cases have been discovered in London and Liverpool.

Fungal Disease (Cryptocococcus neoformans) .

A disease of the skin that can also affect the lungs and the central nervous system, causing Cryptococtal Meningitis and is transmitted by fouling. Some Feral pigeons have been shown to carry Salmonellosis and, although its incidence is low, the public health hazard cannot be ignored, particularly in view of the birds association with food premises.

Salmonella & E-Coli .

Food poisoning. A severe infection of the intestine. There are many strains of infections causing intense stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhoea, and high temperature and in some more serious cases, even death. The most common route of infection is by contamination of foodstuff or preparation areas.

Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis
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This is an allergic disease, also known as pigeon Fanciers Lung. Inhalation of the dust from bird droppings may cause acute disease with symptoms of fever and chest tightness with a cough. The disease may also manifest itself, in chronic form with shortness of breath on exertion.

Starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris )

Starlings have mainly black bodies and yellow bills like Blackbirds but they are smaller and fatter with more pointed head and longer, more pointed wings. Their plumage is always speckled although in summer the markings on the breast are replaced by iridescent tones of green and blue. Juveniles start off as plain brown with a black bill and characteristic shape.Starlings have the ability to be serious pests around livestock feedlots by numbering in the hundreds of thousands and eating enough of the food intended for livestock to cause serious economic loss. In cities and suburban areas, starlings use buildings, trees, and residential trees to roost. Starlings generally spend the warm months of the year in rural areas. During the winter, they will descend into cities and towns seeking the warmth of large buildings or trees in residential areas and parks. Also used as protection are lighted signs, marquees, and billboards.
Starlings are loud and annoying. Their droppings have the ability to seriously damage or even kill trees.