Services Archives - Beaver Pest Control

Drain Surveys carried out by technician in home in London

National Association for Drainage Contractors

In 2021, we decided to bring CCTV drain surveys in-house and train up a team of drainage experts. The majority of rat infestations are connected to drain defects. Therefore, carrying out the surveys ourselves allowed our team to use their knowledge and experience of rat behaviour to deal with rat problems quickly.

Our drain surveys differ from your standard drainage service. As pest controllers first and foremost, we can identify issues before they escalate into a larger problem. We use specialist tools to create maps of the drainage systems. We also provide a combined drainage and pest control report showing any drainage defects as well as any rat ingress points.

Our drainage team has been growing, gaining more experience, and undergoing specialist training. We have taken the decision to join the National Association for Drainage Contractors.

Why we joined the N.A.D.C?

The N.A.D.C represents the interests of sewage and drainage operatives in the UK. As part of our membership, we will have access to more training, qualifications, and up-to-date industry news. Our work is carried out the highest standards incorporating our extensive knowledge of rat behaviour.

We are also keen to increase the presence of pest controllers in the drainage industry. As part of the industry, we will have a say in the future of drainage and can work with like-minded professionals to share knowledge and experiences and support homes and businesses across the UK to remain rat-free.

What are the next steps for drain surveys?

More jobs, more training and more technicians. Our drainage team is expanding ensuring we have a range of qualified technicians carrying out high-quality CCTV drain surveys and repairs for homes and businesses across London & the South East.

For more information about drainage and rat control london contact us.

Preventing mice by proofing

Commercial, Residential, Services

The best way of preventing mice is to stop them from entering the building in the first place. Mice can get through extraordinarily small holes, some not much bigger than the width of a pen. Mouse proofing is a quick and effective way to stop mice entering the building.

So how can you stop them from coming in?

The trick is to understand how mice move around a building and what is likely to attract them. Preventing mice will help reduce the risk of damage to your building.

The first thing to do is to check the outside of the building. Air vents and holes in brickwork can all be access points. Mice can climb rough brickwork so even if the hole is above ground level there is a risk that it could be used. Block broken vents with vent covers or mesh. If using mesh make sure it is small gauge mesh.

If you are in a block or a terrace of buildings it may be that the mice are entering your building via another building in the same block.

Mice are likely to be drawn to areas where food is available. To proof these areas will mean removing kickboards and potentially appliances. Mice usually travel via the holes made for the pipework. Pipework will normally travel through the entire building and sometimes connects to other buildings. In these cases block proofing will become necessary.

If you have large holes you will probably need a builder to work in conjunction with a pest control company for the pest result. Smaller holes can be filled by your pest control company. It is better to use a specialist as they will have access to specialist materials. Mice can easily chew through expanding foam so this on its own is not usually good enough.

Mouse proofing is not as expensive as you may think and will go a long way to keep pests out. If you don’t proof then you are likely to have reoccurring problems.

For free advice on proofing contact the proofing team on 02083553443.

Bird Free Gel – It’s magic !

Commercial, Services

We first discovered Bird Free gel in 2012, it was a product new to the market in 2011. We were sceptical at first and it took a lot of persuading and evidence before we really bought into the benefits of the gel.

But once we got it, we really got it.

2016 was our busiest year so far, and we laid 7050 pots of Bird Free gel. Quite often we will combine Bird Free gel with other bird control methods to give the best possible solution to our customers. It’s very important to lay the gel according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Pots which are laid in incorrect formations or too far apart from each other will not have the desired effect.

For those of you unfamiliar with Bird Free gel, it’s an optical gel using UV in a way which creates an optical illusion which looks like fire to bird species. As well as creating the optical illusion of fire. Birds are also repelled by the smell and the stickiness of the product. Dominant birds will continue to try and land on the building for a few days. However even the dominant birds will move on once they smell and touch the gel.

Through our work, we discovered the gel is particularly effective on feral pigeons and gulls. Interestingly it didn’t affect the Harris Hawk which carried out some falconry work recently. No harm is caused to the birds and the gel pots are visually more aesthetically pleasing than spiking or bird wire.

Drain surveys – drain company or pest control company?

Commercial, Residential, Services

Scenario – You have an on-going rat problem and your pest controller has advised you to carry out a drain survey. Your existing pest control company does not have the ability to carry out a drain survey.

Should you commission a drain survey company or another pest control company? Does it matter? They are all drain surveys, right?

Well yes and no.

What is a drain survey?

A drain survey should include a comprehensive inspection of your drainage system. The purpose of the drain survey is to identify any damage to the drains which could allow rodents access into your building. Common signs are when rodents are seen or damage is identified in toilets or bathrooms.

Recent studies in Denmark found that 90% of rat activity came from the sewage systems.

Following the drain survey, you should expect to receive a full written report with pictures showing the state of the drainage system. Some of these reports can be very technical and quite incomprehensible to the layperson. It is important that reports are clear and pinpoint any issues. It is also important that the remedial issues are identified and costed. Drain repairs can be very costly so it’s important that the correct issues are identified within the report.

Pest control company or drain company?

It’s true to say that both the drain company and the pest control company will use similar equipment to survey the drainage system. These include sonde’s which map the drainage system and any redundant inlets. They will both use drain cameras and will probably also use dye testing if required.

However, the pest control company will better understand the behaviour of rats and the likely points of ingress. This knowledge is key to making sure the correct areas of concern in the drainage system are identified and fixed. Missing them can be very costly.

We would recommend that you ask the following questions before commissioning a drain survey:

Can I see an example report?
How long will the survey take?
How are your engineers trained to identify rodent activity?

If you would like further advice on drain surveys, please contact 0208 355 3443 and speak to one of our friendly customer service team.

020 8355 3443

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02083553443

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National Association for Drainage Contractors

Why we joined the N.A.D.C?

What are the next steps for drain surveys?

Preventing mice by proofing

So how can you stop them from coming in?

Bird Free Gel – It’s magic !

Drain surveys – drain company or pest control company?

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