An Expert Pest Control Service
Across Central Scotland
Service + Protection = Peace of Mind
Strathearn Pest Control is one of Central Scotland’s leading independent pest control companies. We provide professional pest prevention and control solutions for residential, commercial and agricultural clients throughout Scotland.
If there is a problem our rapid response commitment means a local technician will be with you quickly and will deal with your pest problem. Our trained technicians will respond to emergency call outs within 24 hours
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Our Domestic Pest Control Services in Scotland
Rat Control
Rats can quickly get out of hand with serious consequences including:
- Damage to the fabric of buildings, chewed wires, cables etc.
- Contamination of foodstuffs
- The spread of disease through direct and indirect contact including: Salmonella; Weils Disease; Lymes disease.
If you have a problem our rapid response commitment means a local technician will be with you within 24hrs to deal with your pest problem.
All our technicians are trained, experienced and undergo continual professional development ensuring that you are in safe hands when employing our services.
If left unchecked, the resident rat population can quickly get out of hand with a number of consequences:
- Damage to the fabric of buildings, chewed electrical wires and cables, fractured water and gas pipes etc
- They eat practically anything we eat and their urine and droppings will contaminate all foodstuffs they come in to contact with
- The spread of disease through direct and indirect contact including : Salmonella; Weils Disease; Lyme Disease.
- Stored items in basement or loft spaces – possessions, documents etc – can be damaged beyond repair.
- The presence of rats will damage the reputation and profitability of any business.
- Property owners have a legal obligation under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 to keep premises rodent free.
Our usual method for the successful control and eradication of rats is through a combination of rodenticidal baits and proofing.
- Identify the ‘hotspots’ or areas where the rats are most active
- Lay tamper-resistant rodenticidal baits in secure locations. We always use tamper-resistant bait stations where there is a risk of access to bait by children or animals.
- The bait preparations include a toxic ingredient which kills the rats efficiently and humanely.
- We carry out follow-up visits and will continue baiting until the signs of rat activity disappear.
- We will then make recommendations, including proofing, to prevent any further infestation in the future.
Mouse Control
If left unchecked, a resident mouse population can quickly get out of hand, with a number of serious consequences:
- Damage to the fabric of buildings, chewed wires, cables etc.
- Contamination of foodstuffs.
- The spread of disease, including Salmonella, through direct and indirect contact.
If you have a problem our rapid response commitment means a local technician will be with you within 24hrs to deal with your pest problem.
All our technicians are trained, experienced and undergo continual professional development ensuring that you are in safe hands when employing our services.
If left unchecked, the resident mouse population can quickly get out of hand with a number of consequences :
- Damage to the fabric of buildings, chewed electrical wires and cables, chewed insulation and water pipes etc with the risk of electrical fire or water damage
- They eat practically anything that we eat and their urine and droppings will contaminate any foodstuff they come in to contact with
- The spread of disease, including salmonella, through direct and indirect contact
- They gnaw into materials such as paper, wood, insulation etc which they use as nesting material
Our usual method for the successful control and eradication of rats is through a combination of rodenticidal baits and proofing.
- Identify the ‘hotspots’ or areas where the mice are most active
- Lay baits in tamper-resistant bait stations, particularly where there is a risk of access to bait by children or animals
- The bait preparations include a toxic ingredient which kills the mice efficiently and humanely.
- Follow-up visits and continue baiting until the signs of mice activity disappear
- Make recommendations, including proofing, to prevent any further infestation in the future
Cluster Fly Control
While Cluster Flies can be a great nuisance they dont normally represent a health hazard. However, they can:
- Produce a rather sickly smell when clustered in large numbers.
- Be upsetting and unnerving if disturbed during hibernation
- Be unsightly when flying or when found in and around window frames.
If you have a problem our rapid response commitment means a local technician will be with you within 24hrs to deal with your pest problem.
All our technicians are trained, experienced and undergo continual professional development ensuring that you are in safe hands when employing our services.
Whilst Cluster flies can be a great nuisance they do not normally represent any health risk. However they can :
- Produce a rather sickly smell when clustered in large numbers
- Be upsetting or unnerving if disturbed during hibernation
- Be unsightly when flying or when found in and around window frames
- Cluster flies may congregate and die in wall spaces, voids and lofts etc and then attract other insects eg the larder beetle
- The flies can contaminate foodstuff and spread diseases
We control Cluster Flies by treating the adult resting sites and harbourages.
They may have flown a considerable distance from their original breeding site, so we do not attempt to control their larvae.
Typically, the treatment will include a spray with an insecticide to affected window frames and the interiors of sash-window cases.
We will also inspect the roof spaces and, where appropriate and safe to do so, use a smoke generator to eradicate any residing cluster flies.
Electric Fly Killers, hanging in attics or loft spaces, are particularly effective in providing continuos control.
Bed Bug Control
The presence of bedbugs can be detected by the following :
- blood spotting on bedding
- brown excrement spots close to where they live and on bedding
- whitish/opaque un-hatched and hatched eggs
- in heavy infestations, a sweet almond smell is common
- bedbugs are not normally seen during the day
If you have a problem our rapid response commitment means a local technician will be with you within 24hrs to deal with your pest problem.
All our technicians are trained, experienced and undergo continual professional development ensuring that you are in safe hands when employing our services.
Bedbugs are not known to carry disease. However, they still present problems :
- They feed on human blood, usually at night whilst people are asleep in their beds
- Bites cause irritation and itching
- Some people are particularly sensitive to the bites and experience an allergy and inflammation which can be quite severe and require medical attention.
- Complete a meticulous survey of the affected room and all adjoining areas.
- Approved Insecticidal treatment will then be required to eradicate the problem.
- The treatment is thorough and extensive and will include treatment of furniture, skirtings and picture rails, curtains, bed frames, headboards and underneath the edges of carpets, etc.
- Treatment may be needed in any adjoining rooms above and below the affected floor, or all rooms on the same floor.
- A follow-up visit and spray treatment is then carried out with on going monitoring for signs of any re-infestation
Mole Control
Left unchecked, mole activity can have a number of consequences including:
- The uprooting of seedlings and plants and damage to
lawns, golf course fairways etc. - Stones from mole hills damage expensive harvesting and
ground maintenance equipment. - Valuable pasture land is lost because grass will not grow
due to mole hills.
If you have a problem our rapid response commitment means a local technician will be with you within 24hrs to deal with your pest problem.
All our technicians are trained, experienced and undergo continual professional development ensuring that you are in safe hands when employing our services.
- The moles’ tunnelling activity uproots seedlings and young plants
- Valuable pasture land is lost as mole hills prevent grass from growing
- Lawns become disfigured allowing weeds to become established
- Molehills may interfere with harvesting and the stones brought to the surface can cause considerable damage to farm machinery
- Mole tunnels can collapse under the weight of horses, cattle and sheep, causing tendon/ligament damage to valuable livestock
- The control of moles is through eradication
- This takes the form of either gassing or trapping
- Moles are very territorial. Any neighbouring moles may move into the cleared area which is why we often recommend a longer term monitoring and prevention plan
Moth Control
One of the most common of this type of pest is the Common Clothes Moth. The adult has a body length of between 6 – 8 mm and is buff brown in colour.
They are rarely seen in flight tending to run and they shun the light. It is the larvae that cause damage, feeding on natural fibres clothes etc found around any property – airing cupboards, wardrobes, upholstery etc.
If you have a problem our rapid response commitment means a local technician will be with you within 24hrs to deal with your pest problem.
All our technicians are trained, experienced and undergo continual professional development ensuring that you are in safe hands when employing our services.
Textile moths prefer to feed on any woollen goods but may damage many other kinds of fabrics.
Proofed carpets are not always resistant to insect attack and larvae can live up to 2 years and can be found in dark, quiet and undisturbed areas munching away
Moths reduce the effective life of fabrics
Cause stress to worried householders
- Great care is taken when treating for textile pests. Eggs and larvae may be hidden away in inaccessible cracks and crevices and failure to treat them will result in a re-infestation.
- Identify the source of the infestation and remove
- Apply an approved residual and non-staining insecticide
- Continue to monitor for any emerging larvae and unhatched eggs
Other Pest Control
Wasps are a seasonal hazard and if left untreated can pose a number of problems, including:
- Food contamination
- Sting injuries and distress
- Damage to property – chewing of woodwork and plasterboard
- Locate where the nest is
- Apply an approved insecticide onto the nest
- Within 2 hours of the treatment the nest will be destroyed.
Why Control Bees?
Bees are beneficial to farmers and gardeners and play a vital role in pollination.However, sometimes the location of their nests can be problematic.- Bees may exploit houses in which to build their nests
- They can prove a nuisance and sting humans
- In some people, the sting can trigger an anaphylatic shock which can be fatal
Method of Bee Control
Wherever possible, bees, whatever species, should not be killed as they play a vital role in pollinating plant life. If, however, people are at a high risk of being stung, we can arrange for the necessary control :- Organise their removal by a professional Bee Keeper
The grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) was introduced from the USA between 1876 and 1929. It is now common throughout England and Wales and is found locally in Scotland.
The red squirrel disappearances typically followed the arrival of the grey squirrel although other factors including lack of food and harbour-age sites and disease also helps in their elimination
Why Control Grey Squirrels?
The grey squirrel is a serious pest in plantations where it can cause serious damage by stripping bark from trees. It also, however, presents a number of other problems, if left unchecked, including :- Damage to parks and gardens where cereals, vegetables and fruit are taken
- Damage to buildings where access is gained to roof spaces leaving timbers, electrical wiring and plumbing at risk
Methods of Grey Squirrel Control
There are a number of different control methods available :- We normally use cages to trap the animals and then humanely remove them from the affected site.
- Other methods include shooting and drey-poking.
- We will also make recommendations about preventative measures including proofing.
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) tend to inhabit grasslands and heaths, woodland and open areas such as sand dunes. They are common in parks, on golf courses and railway embankments, and in gardens where they burrow under trees and sheds. Rabbits breed from January through to August, with 2 – 4 breeds per annum, 3 – 6 young per litter. After breeding, the young will live up to four kilometres away.
Why Control Rabbits?
Rabbit damage is a major economic problem for British agriculture, costing the industry an estimated £ 100 million by destroying crops and grazing. It’s not just farmers who suffer:- Bark may be gnawed from the base of tree trunks when other vegetation isn’t available
- Lawns and flower beds can be ruined by the digging and scraping of holes
- Golf courses suffer as holes are dug and the grass is killed by the acidic droppings
- Gardens are destroyed as flowers and bulbs and young trees are destroyed
Method of Rabbit Control
Occupiers of land have a legal obligation to control rabbits and to prevent them doing damage on neighbouring land. Controlling them takes two forms: exclusion or eradication- For exclusion we use rabbit-proof fencing, high enough to prevent rabbits from jumping over and buried deep enough into the ground to stop them from burrowing underneath it
- We use a number of different methods of eradication, determined by circumstances. This includes gassing, trapping or shooting
- After rabbits have been displaced we would always recommend rabbit-proofing to prevent any further infestation
There are many species of beetles, some of nuisance value only, others that can have damaging consequences. This insect can vary in size from 3 – 30 mm long.
The larvae and adults are very active and feed on caterpillars, slugs and snails. They also feed on vegetation and are known to invade buildings.
Why Control Beetles?
Ground beetles are harmless and are not known to breed indoors. They can however be perceived as a nuisance
However, other beetles including the Saw-toothed grain beetle, the Merchant grain beetle and the Confused flour beetle can destroy crops and food produce.
Method of Control
An approved insecticide can be applied around wall and floor edges to create a barrier to intruding beetles.
For other beetles, as above, the affected food sources should be removed and the immediate area treated with a residual insecticide to prevent re-infestation
There are two main types of ants, the black or garden ant and the pharaoh’s ant. The majority of ants are worker ants and sterile females which tend the young and forage for food. The ants prefer to eat protein rich foods, such as meat, cheese, as well as fats, sugar and chocolate.
Why Control Ants?
If Ants are left untreated, they can cause a number of problems including :- Contamination by crawling on surfaces
- Infestation and waste of foods
- Loss of goodwill and prestige
Method of Control
Before we carry out any control, we will ensure the correct identification of ant species. Their effective control also depends on locating the full extent of the infestation.Garden ants The treatment is quite straightforward :
- We will apply an insecticidal treatment to destroy their trails and also at entry points to the building.
- Where possible, locate and destroy the nest.
- Alternatively we may use a baiting programme.
Pharoah’s ants The treatment is very different :
- We complete an extensive survey of the premises to identify all the affected areas.
- We then carry out a baiting programme, so that nests are destroyed.
There are countless species of mites, ranging from the Flour mite, Acarus siro to the Velvet mite, Eutrombidium rostratus.They all exhibit similar behavioural patterns and can be treated accordingly.
Adult mites are around 0.3 – 0.5 mm in length wih their development time dependent on atmospheric temperature and humidity.
They prefer warm moist conditions and are very common in beds, soft furnishings and carpets. An adult can live for up to two months.
Why Control Mites?
- Mites can contaminate food sources
- They have been implicated in causing a number of diseases including dermatitis, respiratory tract irritation, asthma and intestinal upsets
- Grain or flour mites are important pests of cereals, dried fruits and vegetables
- In the Spring, pollen aggravates allergies and dust mite infestations make it worse
Method of Mite Control
- Vacuum cleaning, drying of the environment – removing the humidity in the air – and washing any affected furnishings are effective initial stages in the control method
- Contaminated food products should be destroyed
- Both of the above are carried out in conjunction with a spray treatment using an approved non-staining insecticide
- Particular attention will be paid to cracks and crevices
These are grey/brown animals with a shielded surface similar to a slated roof, hence the common name of ‘slaters’. Adults are around 5 – 17 mm long, depending upon species.
The order Isopoda contains more than 10,000 species worldwide and all woodlice need a damp atmosphere in which to survive.
They are only found where the humidity is high.
Why Control Woodlice?
- Woodlice are considered harmless to man and do not bite
- However, they are considered a pest
- There have been reports of woodlice causing damage to soft fruit
Method of Woodlice Control
- Identify the source eg damp timber and remove if possible
- To prevent further infestation work to lower moisture content in the air
- Carry out a spray treatment with an approved residual insecticide in any areas where woodlice are encroaching
The adult spider is 8 mm in length with 8 legs that can span up to 50 mm. It can live up to two years and feeds on insects
Why Control Spiders?
- Spiders, in the UK, are beneficial as predators of other insects and not harmful to man.
- They can cause, however, some distress to people with phobias
- They produce webs as a means of capturing their prey which can be unsightly
Method of Spider Control
- Regular vacuum cleaning of cob webs, the source of their food, will help prevent the build-up of spiders
- A barrier spray treatment with an approved insecticide to wall and floor edges can also be applied
- Insect monitors can be used to check for any re-infestation
There are many different kinds of cockroach and they belong to a group of insects which have remained little changed for 200 million years. The most common types that occur in the UK are the Common cockroach (Blatta Orientalis) and the German cockroach (Blatella germanica).
Common cockroaches are a widespread pest in the UK and can infest premises for long periods before they are discovered. The adult cockroaches are usually around 20-25 mm long and are reddish-brown in colour.
Why Control Cockroaches?
Cockroaches can seriously harm business reputations, particularly within the food industry, and create a number of problems, including :- Contamination of food
- Spread of disease
- Damage to goods other than foods
- Loss of goodwill
Method of Cockroach Control
- Infestations can be very deep-seated within buildings and need regular and thorough treatment to control them.
- This does vary depending on the type of cockroach. However, typically, we will treat all harbourages, cracks and crevices, with a suitable insecticidal spray.
- We will then follow this up with a further treatment a week later
Silverfish are members of a primitive order of insects which moult as adults. They are nocturnal in habit and tend to hide during the day. The adult, when mature, is around 12 mm in length and generally grey or silver/grey in colour.
Humidity is important in the development of of the silverfish with 90% relative humidity being the optimum for development of the nymphal stages. In common with other insects, development times are influenced by temperature, relative humidity, moisture content, quantity and quality of food.
It should be emphasised that these insects are harmless to man and don’t bite.
Why Control Silverfish?
- Damage to the fabric of buildings, chewed wires, cables etc
- Contamination of foodstuffs
- The spread of disease through direct and indirect contact including : Salmonella; Weils Disease; Lyme Disease.
Method of Silverfish Control
- Remove any infested items
- Apply an approved residual insecticide to cracks, crevices, floorboards, skirting boards etc
- Dehumifying reduces the moisture content of the air that Silverfish find essential
Fleas (– Order Siphonaptera) are parasitic insect pests of mammals.
They depend on a ‘host’ animal for food and development which can be a cat, a dog, a fox, a bird or even in rare cases humans.
The fleas most commonly encountered are the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis) and the dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis). Adult fleas vary in size, but are generally about 2-3mm long and reddish brown in colour.
There are too many types to list as there are around 1400 known species of flea.
Why Control Fleas?
Fleas will normally only feed on their host ie cat or dog. However, they frequently bite humans with the following results :- Some people are particularly sensitive to the bites and experience an allergy and inflammation which can be quite severe and require medical attention.
- In addition, some may also experience intense itching and scratching
Methods of Flea Control
- Identify the source of the infestation
- Carry out a spray treatment with an approved insecticide to kill the adult fleas and larvae.
- Before doing this, a thorough vacuum clean of the premises should be undertaken.
- The affected animal should also receive treatment from a vet.
- Pupa can occasionally survive treatment, so a second spray treatment may be required to ensure adequate insecticide is available when they eventually hatch out!
why choose strathearn pest control
Over 40 Years Experience
We provide safe, reliable and effective pest control services, giving our clients peace of mind and the reassurance of professional pest solutions.
The company is justifiably proud of it’s heritage, prouder still that it continues to uphold the tradition of the customer service that Bob Wilkie considered to be the cornerstone of his business when he started the company 40 years ago.
The Strathearn Advantage
Independent Family Business – Established 1979
Rapid Response Service
No Commission Based Sales
Professionally Trained Technicians – RSPH Level 2
Fully Insured
Health & Safety Accredited Contractor
British Pest Control Association Member
CRRU Compliant Services
Domestic, Commercial and Agricultural
Extensive Site Surveys
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