There’s good reason to be concerned about a pest infestation when it strikes. Rats, mice, bed bugs, wasps, cockroaches, flies and fleas can all be dangerous, complicated and distressing, so when an infestation occurs, it’s difficult to know where to turn.

We've put together this pest awareness video, to help everyone understand the risks of pest problems.

Rats, mice and other rodents don’t just carry diseases that make you ill - they can be destructive. Rodents chew almost everything, causing property damage, and even fires and floods. Rodent treatments equate to 38% of all pest control services in the UK.

Bed bugs feed exclusively on human blood and quickly spread from property-to-property by hitching a ride on your clothes. Bed bugs aren’t restricted to the bedroom. They can live in luggage, your car, furniture, electrical sockets and potentially event in your laptop computer.

Wasps’ can be more than a nuisance at a summer BBQ. Wasp stings are very painful and can be dangerous to children, the elderly, or those sensitive to the poison.    

Cockroaches, flies, fleas and other creepy crawlies can spread pathogens, infect your food, and damage your belongings.

If you’re a business owner, pests will damage more than your health. Your reputation might never recover from a pest infestation. Rumours of an unsafe company can snowball through word-of-mouth and social media. In fact, you have a legal obligation to deal with pest issues in your business.  A pest infestation also leads to an average of 6 days of disruption per year for a UK business.

A pest problem can be dangerous, complicated and distressing, so when an infestation occurs, it’s difficult to know where to turn. We don’t think it’s smart for everybody to run around with nets and bug spray.

Instead, leave the job to the expert members of the British Pest Control Association.

BPCA is a not-for-profit organisation who support pest management professionals nationwide.

There are cowboys in every trade, but our members are qualified to deal with infestations legally, safely, and humanely. With our wealth of knowledge and experience, you can count our members  to do the job right.

Did you learn something new today about pest management? Spread the word or find a BPCA approved company in your area at bpca.org.uk/find