Pest and vermin control in the North West has seen a lively start this year which is somewhat surprising given the very cold winter of 2009/10.

Pest operatives were kept occupied with the usual city centre rodent calls all thoughout the winter of course, but the relatively cold late winter has already brought some ant infestation reported.

The damp summers of 2008 and 2009 were not to the benefit of the hymenoptera (sawflies, wasps, ants & bees) but 2010 looks like it is going to be a hectic year for flying ant work.

Frequently ants build their nests under the floors of buildings and inside cavity walls causing a large number of foraging ants to invade kitchens and food cupboards.

However it is at the mating time when they can be most distressing as they create winged males and winged queens which then mate on the wing.

The release of thousands of these winged ants inside homes can be horrific indeed.

A somewhat new pest was very prevalant in the Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire area last season, the Varied Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci).

It was unusual for pest controllers in the North West to meet these pests until recently but they seemed to arrive from nowhere in 2008 and already this March has seen reports of these beetles in large numbers.

Having a similar life cycle to moths their larvae, called woolly bears can eat natural fibres and can do great damage to carpets and some fabrics. They are a difficult and tricky pest to eradicate.

Bed Bugs are continuing their renaissance in the the North West area, often arriving as unwanted guests in the suitcases of returning holiday makers.

Often the first reaction of those unlucky ones who realise that they have been infested with these horrific,blood-sucking creatures is to burn the old beds and purchase.

This is a costly error as despite their name bed bugs don’t just stay in beds and in an infested bedroom will be found everywhere within about fifteen feet of the bed, in cupboards, drawers etc, even in electrical wall sockets and the new beds will be instantly re-infested.

Most people mix up bed bugs with dust mites which are not visible to the naked eye.

They dine exclusively on blood which they drink from their sleeping hosts. People often associate bed bugs with unhygienic conditions but nothing could be further from the truth, they do not require grime, they dine on you!

Up to April 30th 2010 Harrier & Manchester Pest Control are offering a 25% reduction on their guaranteed ant treatment.

This revolutionary treatment which is guaranteed for three years, extendable indefinitely in additional three year chunks by a low cost re-treatment every three years, can be carried out on most homes subject to satisfactory,free

For the summer of 2010 Harrier Pest Control are providing a fixed price for destroying wasps nests in the Cheshire, Lancashire and Manchester area of just thirty two pounds.

Contact Harrier Pest control for more information on 0800 019 8382 or 0161 930 8814