Pest Guides

The garden mole (Talpa europaea) is a stocky, black/dark brown nocturnal mammal that has adapted to life underground. It has wide, flat paws with sharp claws to assist with digging and burrowing for earthworms. A bite to the head of an earthworm immobilises it and they can store them alive in specially created chambers for later consumption. Almost blind with a weak sense of hearing, moles rely on the vibrations they feel to hunt worms and avoid danger.

They’re typically found in woodlands or grassy areas, such as gardens. Moles eat insects that may destroy the roots of crops and their digging aerates soil, making it better for growing plants in. However, they can cause a headache for gardeners who have plant beds and mowed lawns upturned.

Once a permanent tunnel has been established deep underground, it can be used by future generations of moles. Feeding tunnels can be temporary and are

The grey heron (Ardea cinerea) is known for its long neck, black feathers on its head, and stalk legs for wading. The body of a heron can be up to 60cm in length and they can boast a wingspan of around 6ft. Typically found near sources of water, herons can cause a headache for those with fishponds, preying on costly ornamental fish. Although fish are their primary diet, they’ll also eat amphibians, small rodents and ducklings. The heron hunts by standing stationary in or near shallow water before striking prey with its long bill.

Signs of an infestation

Herons are solitary birds but will nest in a colony called a heronry. Nests are quite noticeable, created high in the top of trees. A single tree can house up to 10 nests. The most obvious sign of a heron problem is spotting the bird by your pond or noticing that your fish have been disappearing. Herons tend to feed early in the morning

Foxes and the pest control industry go way back. Initially introduced to the British ecosystem by Normans (after 1066) to cull the then astronomical population of rabbits (also introduced by Normans), they were once on our side. They were a valuable asset too, not only were they proficient hunters but they have a tendency to surplus kill too. For example, if left in a chicken coup alone, they would undoubtedly kill the lot and cache the remaining carcasses in a den for later consumption. For these reasons, the Normans saw foxes as an intelligent method of population control. However, it served as a catalyst for a lengthy war between man and fox which is still being waged to this day.

Maybe people dislike foxes because, despite our superior ranking in the animal kingdom, they manage to outwit us at every turn. The idiom ‘sly as a fox’ is not undeserved. Being crepuscular and solitary, foxes hunt by themselves at hours when human activity is at

Earwigs can be easily identified by their pincers at the tail, and antennae at the head. Their pincers are used as a defence mechanism, usually against other earwigs. There are around 2,000 different species with only four found in the UK. Adults can grow to a size between 5-25mm and have 6 legs.

Like other insects, earwigs produce a pheromone that acts as a marker to lead large groups in outdoor areas. They typically don’t pose a problem until their population gets out of control. The damage they cause is comparable to that of caterpillars or slugs: irregularly shaped holes in leaves and gnawing on shoots.

Earwigs feast on young sprouts or dying vegetation, preferring to hide in moist or damp conditions and becoming active at night, or when their cover has been disturbed. Like woodlice, they can be beneficial in garden areas, helping to break down garden waste. When living on fruit trees they target

As the largest land mammal in the UK, a deer is often a sight of amazement in gardens. However, they can also be a cause for concern, whether it be on the roads, damaging vegetation, or spreading Lyme disease, so it’s not uncommon for these to be seen as a nuisance. They are also thought to contribute to the spread of bovine tuberculosis and can carry rabies.

There are two main categories of deer, Cervinae (such as muntjac, elk, and fallow deer) and the Capreolinae (such as reindeer, roe deer and moose). There are six species that like in the UK; typically the deer you spot in gardens or along roadsides will be a Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), introduced to the UK from China in the 1900s. They stand at around half a metre high, are russet-coloured, and have tusks which help easily identify them. They can also be vocal, using a barking sound to call mates. Males will have two darker brown or black