Pest Control Information, Tips & Advice
Orkin expands into Thames Valley with acquisition of Vermatech
July 18, 2023
US-based Rollins Inc., best known for its subsidiary pest control brand Orkin, has again expanded its presence in the UK. In May 2023, one of the company’s UK subsidiaries finalised the acquisition of Vermatech Pest Control Ltd based in Oxfordshire. Husband and wife, Andrew and Deb Green, first established their pest control company in 1995, which […]
Solitary Bees (Mason and Mining)
May 8, 2023
Mason and Mining Solitary Bees – These flying insects are most likely to be seen during the Spring (March and April weather dependent) There are approximately 270 different types of solitary bee in this country? Solitary bees are excellent pollinators often attracted to one type of flower so when that flower’s season ends so does […]
Ants in Your Pantry?
May 4, 2023
We treat a number of different species of ants but the most common is the black garden ant (Lasius niger). These ants tend to nest in gardens, around footings of houses and under paving slabs favouring sandy dry soil in sunny sites. Small piles of fine earth brought up to the surface by the ants […]
Bee Swarms
May 1, 2023
It’s that time of the year when honey bees may swarm. For more information see https://www.bbka.org.uk/swarm. Bees are a beneficial insect and not a pest, we therefore cannot help if you have problems with bees and recommend you ‘leave them bee’ A swarm in May is worth a load of hay; a swarm in June […]
Rats in your garden?
November 11, 2022
Rats need three things: food, shelter and water. If a rat can achieve these, it is likely to stay. FOOD: bird feed (seed, fat balls, bread), composting food waste (vegetable peelings, egg shells), windfall apples, open dustbins SHELTER: under sheds, overgrown shrubs and clutter. You can also find rats in decking. WATER: ponds, bird baths, […]
Rats under decking
November 11, 2022
Decking provides a secure warm and dry place for rats to live and breed. Decking can hide problems such as holes in walls, broken manholes and evidence of other causes of rat infestations. Always have inspection panels built into your decking should access to clean drain gullies or removal of manhole covers be required for […]
Pest Control for Businesses
November 11, 2022
In the current financial climate it is understandable that some businesses are finding trading difficult and are looking to cut back on expenditure. Some companies may feel that pest control services and contracts are an area where savings are possible. However, be warned that the long term cost of cutting back on pest prevention and […]
Rats and mice will easily climb up vegetation
November 10, 2022
Rats and mice are very good climbers and will easily climb up vegetation and enter loft spaces. It is important to keep climbing plants such as ivy, virginia creeper, wisteria cut back to at least 0.5 metres below the eaves to prevent rodents climbing into loft spaces. If this advice is too late and you […]
Don’t leave wasp nest treatments til the Autumn
September 1, 2022
Towards the end of summer wasp nests become dysfunctional as they go into decline. At this point, we cannot guarantee our wasp nest treatments. So if you know you have a wasp or hornet nest it is best always best to have it treated during July and August. Leaving it until the end of the […]
Wasp nest treatments
June 17, 2022
Cost Our domestic wasp nest treatment price is £84 inc VAT. Additional wasp nests treated at the same time as the first are charged at £25 inc VAT for each additional nest For commercial sites please telephone us on 01491 628200 for a quotation. Wasp and hornet nests at all heights will be subject to […]
Flying Ants
June 9, 2022
On warm humid days flying ants suddenly appear around the UK. This happens when young queens leave the nest to found their own colony. The flying ants you encounter in your town or garden are almost certainly the black garden ant (scientific name: Lasius niger). Their nests have a single queen and typically around 5,000 […]
Spring Has Sprung
March 14, 2022
If you have started to notice an increase in insects buzzing around the windows this is completely normal at this time of year. Particularly in rural areas insects are emerging from diapause (hibernation for insects) and trying to make a quick exit from lofts, sash windows, cracks and crevices to partake in a new mating […]
How do squirrels get into a loft?
February 24, 2022
Grey squirrels were deliberately introduced to this country from North America by the Victorians sometime in the 1800’s and have spread throughout most of mainland England and Wales. They are a threat to our native Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). Squirrel damage The most serious damage in urban areas arises where squirrels enter the roof spaces […]
Bird Feeding and Rats
January 11, 2022
Bird Feeding and Rats During the winter months is the best time to feed birds but unfortunately you are also likely to attract rats as well. If you do wish to feed garden birds, do not do this to excess and use a bird table or feeder basket if possible, to catch any off cast […]
How do rats and mice get into houses?
January 10, 2022
As part of our domestic internal rodent treatments for rats or mice, our experienced and qualified pest control technicians will also survey your property for possible structural defects that could allow rodents access into your property. Any proofing recommendations should be carried out as soon as possible after a treatment. Some (there are many more) […]
Rats and mice in your Christmas decorations
December 22, 2021
When putting your decorations away, use large plastic storage boxes as mice love to nest in tinsel. And don’t forget to check for chocolates in case there is one left that the rest of the family did not see! If you notice signs of rodents in your loft when getting out or putting away your […]
Harlequin Ladybirds
October 25, 2021
Harlequin ladybirds can be a nuisance inside properties during the Autumn/Winter months, as the weather starts to cool down. Like cluster flies they come inside, gathering around window frames or clustering in corners, to hibernate over winter. The Harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) is not a native species of the UK and is a relatively new […]
Introducing Tree Bumblebees
June 14, 2021
The tree bumble bee (B. Hypnorum) is a recent addition to the UK’s fauna. Despite this it will already be familiar to many householders as it can be the cause of most of our phone calls at this time of the year “Help I have a wasp nest”! Callers may have seen a small ‘swarm’ […]
The Royal welcome: Emergence of Queen Wasps in the Spring
April 22, 2021
From as early as the beginning of March to the end of May, dependent on weather and temperature, when queen wasps come out of hibernation they have the important and time-consuming task of establishing their colony as quickly as possible. For queen wasps this is a deadly race against time which most of them will […]
If you see a new mole hill you should rejoice and say ‘yes that’s good’
February 11, 2021
An animal commonly thought of as a garden pest is the mole, as it digs up pristine lawns and leaves mole-hills. However, mole expert Derek Crawley told RHS podcast listeners that the small mammals should be celebrated. He said: “Worms do an awful lot of good for the soil so the mole is quite often […]
What do queen wasps do in the Winter?
February 3, 2021
During the winter months solitary fertile queen wasps will be hibernating, on their own, in tucked away places in loft areas, sheds, wood pipes. Our photograph shows several sleepy queen wasps hibernating in an unused drawer. When the weather starts to warm up in the Spring she will emerge from her hibernation place, feed […]
Pest control for Reading area
November 26, 2020
Reading : The largest town in England We feel right at home working in Reading; it is the town where Vermatech began and continue to hold close to our heart. The pure size of Reading alone is amazing! A booming and ever-growing population of 342,177 people it is no doubt we are kept busy keeping […]
Pest Control in Lockdown
May 14, 2020
Life in Lockdown Whilst the vast majority of the country has been consciously keeping a low profile, not going out, being careful of getting too close to one another and practicing good personal hygiene; there are some that we share our land with who are making the most of the free reign. Undisturbed banqueting in […]
Coming soon to a street near you – Watch out, there is a queen wasp (or hornet) about!
April 12, 2020
Property completions and moving dates may have been put on hold for the time being this year for humans but that isn’t stopping the Queen wasps! They, as a matter of fact, have an urgent time limit to set up a home, preferably south or west facing, access to local amenities and bedrooms for 10,000 […]
Important Information for our Commercial Pest Control Customers
March 19, 2020
Dear Customer During these challenging times we feel we should touch base and see how you are. Our focus remains business as usual for all our valued customers. The work we carry out for you is essential to keep your business pest free. It is therefore our intention to keep providing you with pest control […]
Proof we’re fit for the fight
February 28, 2020
Vermatech Pest Control is a member of the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) – the trade body for the pest management industry in the UK. Our members logo is earned and we’re proud to display it because membership is a sign of professionalism and a mark of quality. BPCA promotes best practice and being part […]
Pest control for a cheesy customer
January 20, 2020
Working together in harmony for thousands of years; the art of cheese making and the services of the pest controller are a proven relationship. This rind has only strengthened over the years providing prevention and solutions for all types of cheese making premises, big and small! There’s so much going on when looking after a […]
Cockroach infestations
September 23, 2019
23rd September 2019 Cockroaches are primitive insects whose origin can be traced back through the fossil record for at least 200 million years. There are approximately 4,000 species of cockroaches worldwide – though only approximately 50 are regarded as pests. Those species which are classed as pests originated in tropical countries, but now thrive in […]
Wasp nest treatments – end of Summer/Autumn
September 22, 2019
Towards the end of summer wasp nests become dysfunctional as they go into decline. At this point we cannot guarantee our wasp nest treatments. So if you know you have a wasp/hornet nest it is best always best to have it treated during July and August. Leaving it until the end of the Summer/Autumn […]
Contact us today for a quote
Call us on 01491 628 200 for a quote, our prices are based on whether it’s a one-off visit or you require a course if visits.
You can’t go wrong with our reasonable price structure, alongside top-quality pest control services with no hidden charges.