Mercury Pest Control https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/ London's number one choice for pest control Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:29:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mercury-Favicon-150x150.jpeg Mercury Pest Control https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/ 32 32 London pest control at Christmas https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/london-pest-control-at-christmas/ Thu, 18 Dec 2025 09:41:38 +0000 https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/?p=4920 London pest control at Christmas: the hidden pests of the festive season London Pest Control | Christmas Pest Control | Winter Pest Control December in London is pure festive magic. We’re all busy planning, buying, cooking, wrapping presents, hanging decorations, and bringing the outside in, literally, with Christmas trees, wreaths and other natural decorations. We […]

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London pest control at Christmas: the hidden pests of the festive season

London Pest Control | Christmas Pest Control | Winter Pest Control

December in London is pure festive magic. We’re all busy planning, buying, cooking, wrapping presents, hanging decorations, and bringing the outside in, literally, with Christmas trees, wreaths and other natural decorations.

Christmas decoration with plants and flowers in Covent Garden, London.
Christmas decoration with plants and flowers in Covent Garden, London.

We travel all over to Covent Garden to see the lights, and over to Southwark or Greenwich, where the Christmas markets are in full swing. 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, not just for us humans, but for common London pests too. Many common London pests see the festive season as their biggest opportunity of the year.

Why? Because your home is now warmer, full of food, and packed with new materials (packaging, decorations, and even the tree itself) that offer new opportunities for shelter and survival.

At Mercury Pest Control, we’re often called out in January to deal with the issues that started in December. Here is your guide to London pest control at Christmas. Giving you all the information you need to prevent the festive pests, what to watch out for, and how to keep your home healthy and happy until the New Year.

London pest control at Christmas: the culprits and the chaos

As we get busier and bring more items into the house, we often create unexpected entry points and ideal habitats for pests.

Christmas trees

Many Christmas trees on market.
Many Christmas trees on market.

Common types of real Christmas trees are firs (like Fraser, Balsam, and Nordmann), spruces (such as Norway and Blue Spruce), and pines (including Scotch Pine and Eastern White Pine) are all natural products, and that means it might be carrying small, dormant, or hibernating critters into your warm living room.

Hiding in the pines:

  • Spiders and mites: Out in the cold they may be dormant, but once the tree is in your heated living room, the warmth can wake them up. 
  • Tiny insects: Eggs can be hidden deep within the branches. Again, the sudden warmth can cause these to hatch.
  • Mice: On very rare occasions, if the trees have been stacked near sheds or outhouses, a young mouse might be hiding out in the base.

Don’t bring your tree straight indoors. Instead, give it a good, vigorous shake outside. If possible, leave it in a cold, secure garage or porch for a few hours before bringing it into the main living space.

Rodents 

Between the mince pies, the tins of biscuits, the quality street, and the constant stream of leftovers, Christmas is essentially a 24/7 open buffet for mice and rats.

What they’re after:

  • Market stall at Borough Market, covered urban market in Southwark, east London.
    Market stall at Borough Market, covered urban market in Southwark, east London.

    The food focus: We see increased rodent activity in kitchens across all London boroughs, from Barnet to Hounslow, simply because there’s more food and often more rubbish. Bins are fuller, leftovers are sitting out, and that giant tin of shortbread is probably just cardboard, which they can chew through instantly.

  • The clutter: Christmas storage boxes, piles of presents waiting to be wrapped, and decorations stacked in the attic provide perfect new nesting spots. A mouse will happily move into a box of unused gift bags.
  • Noise and distraction: With the house full of people, music, and general chaos, you are less likely to hear the scratching in the walls or the chewing in the loft, giving the pests a perfect window to settle in and to multiply. 

While you’re enjoying a hot chocolate after a trip to the Covent Garden markets, double-check that all festive food is in airtight containers. Don’t leave wrapping paper, cardboard boxes, or excess packaging lying around, it’s excellent nesting material.

Travel, guests, and the unwanted souvenir

December is a peak travel time, and nothing is better at hitchhiking than a bed bug. This is why London pest control at Christmas must include a focus on visitors and luggage.

Bed bugs

Excited Grandchildren Greeting Grandparents With Presents Visiting On Christmas Day
Excited Grandchildren Greeting Grandparents With Presents Visiting On Christmas Day

Whether you’re heading off to visit family or welcoming guests to your home in Westminster or Hammersmith and Fulham, bed bugs are a real risk.

What they’re after:

  • Luggage and layers: They cling to clothing, bags, and coats. A visitor arriving from a busy hotel or public transport hub can unknowingly bring them straight into your home.
  • Warm bedrooms: Once they get inside a warm, comfortable London bedroom, they don’t care about the cold outside. They are active, feeding, and breeding throughout the holiday season.

Ask guests or returning students to keep luggage off beds and soft furnishings. If you’re staying in a hotel yourself, check the mattress seams before you unpack. When you return home, immediately wash everything on a high heat.

Moths

Christmas is when we pull out the delicate fabrics. That expensive wool blanket, the silk tie, or that cashmere scarf we only wear once a year. If moth larvae have been quietly feeding, you’re about to find the holes.

What they’re after:

  • Undisturbed storage: Your stored winter woollens in the back of the wardrobe are a perfect food source.
  • The decorations: They can also be attracted to decorations made of natural fibres, felt, or even dried floral arrangements that stay tucked away for 11 months of the year.

Before you start wearing those special clothes, give them a good shake and inspection, even wash them on a high heat before you wear. Use the time when you put the decorations back up to vacuum and check the seams of any fabric boxes they were stored in.

Your 5-step checklist for London pest control at Christmas

Christmas decorations lights at night in Covent Garden London England
Christmas decorations lights at night in Covent Garden London England

Don’t let a pest invasion be the biggest shock of your Christmas morning. A little preparation now goes a very long way.

  1. Secure: Store all festive food, including sweets, biscuits, nuts, and dry goods, in heavy-duty sealed containers. Secure your kitchen bins and empty them frequently, especially in busy, high-rise areas.
  2. Inspect: Before you start hanging those precious decorations, give your real Christmas tree a good shake outdoors. Inspect the base and trunk for any movement.
  3. Manage: If guests are staying over, keep their suitcases and bags off beds and floors, ideally on a luggage rack or in a hallway closet.
  4. Tidy: Immediately break down and remove all cardboard, packing peanuts, and wrapping paper after opening presents. Don’t leave these attractive materials piled up for a week.
  5. Act: If you find any sign of droppings, gnaw marks, or hear scratching while the Christmas movie is on, don’t wait until the New Year. Call Mercury Pest Control immediately. The problem is easier and cheaper to solve before it becomes a full invasion.

London pest control services that we provide

Mercury Pest Control provide expert pest control across all of London for both residential and commercial properties.

The most common London pests include;

  • Pest control surveys in London | professional inspections to identify pest activity and entry points
  • Textile insect control in London | expert treatment for clothes moths, carpet beetles, and other fabric pests
  • Rat control in London | effective rat removal and prevention for residential properties and rat pest control for commercial properties
  • Mouse control  in London | safe mouse proofing and treatment solutions
  • Squirrel control in London | humane squirrel removal and loft protection services
  • Wasp and fly control in London |fast and reliable wasp nest removal and fly treatments
  • Bed bug treatment in London | thorough bed bug treatments and ongoing monitoring
  • Drainage surveys for rats in London | specialist CCTV drain surveys to trace and block rat access routes
  • Commercial pest management in London | tailored pest prevention plans for all commercial businesses including restaurants, offices, warehouses, and retail spaces
  • Integrated pest management in London | long-term, environmentally responsible pest control solutions

📞 Call: 0208 166 5110
📩 Email: info@mercurypestcontrol.co.uk
📍 Serving homes and businesses across all London postcodes | London Pest Control Christmas

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Pest control in Earlsfield https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/pest-control-in-earlsfield/ Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:29:10 +0000 https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/?p=4955 Pest control in Earlsfield: life by the River Wandle and the difficulty of rodents London pest control | Earlsfield pest control | Earlsfield rodent control   Earlsfield is a compact, well-loved corner of Wandsworth. It’s a tight residential grid, popular with families and commuters who want quick and direct access to central London but still […]

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Pest control in Earlsfield: life by the River Wandle and the difficulty of rodents

London pest control | Earlsfield pest control | Earlsfield rodent control

 

View along the River Wandle, Earlsfield, Wandsworth in London.

Earlsfield is a compact, well-loved corner of Wandsworth. It’s a tight residential grid, popular with families and commuters who want quick and direct access to central London but still value a smaller local neighbourhood feel. Garratt Lane and Earlsfield Road holds many independent shops, cafés and a few long-standing pubs that give Earlsfield its character.

Because the area is mostly homes rather than large commercial estates, the pest issues we see here are usually straightforward: mice and rats. Simple problems, but persistent ones, especially when you live next to a river that gives rodents a direct route into people’s properties.

The River Wandle and the rat problem

The River Wandle runs through the heart of Earlsfield and it’s one of the biggest reasons for rodent activity here. Rivers act like transport links for rats with their banks, vegetation and the drainage systems connecting it all, provide shelter, warmth, food and predictable routes.

Brown Rat, Norway Rat, commonly found by rivers in London
Brown Rat, Norway Rat, commonly found by rivers in London

We see this most clearly in the roads that sit opposite the river. For example, Ravensbury road and Penwith Road are regular hotspots for rat infestations that Mercury Pest Control get urgent call outs for regularly. It’s not unusual for us to visit several houses on the same street in a short space of time as rodents move away from the river in search for warmer housing. 

The pattern is always the same, we see rats travel up from the sewer system, find a weak spot in a drain and use it as an exit point straight into a house. It only takes a small crack or a redundant pipe left uncapped after building work.

Across London, around 80% of internal rat problems start with a defect in the drainage. Earlsfield is no exception. Once they’re inside, rats tend to settle quietly in the underfloor voids or behind kitchen units, when this happens you will start to notice strange sounds at night, rodent droppings, chewed items or bad smells. By the time most people call us, the rats have usually been there for a while. This means the longer they have been somewhere, the bigger the rat problem. 

Earlsfield terraced homes and the challenge of pest control in older buildings

Earlsfield has the kind of classic Victorian and Edwardian terraces found across Wandsworth. They are solid, well-built homes but most were never designed with modern pest control in mind. The roof spaces are accessible, the subfloors are generous and the drainage, while functional, is often ageing and patched over from decades of renovations.

Pest Control Earlsfield, SW18
Pest Control Earlsfield, SW18

Mice are especially common in Earlsfield. Rats and mice only need a gap about the size of the end of a pencil, roughly five millimetres, to squeeze through. We often find them entering through air bricks, gaps around utility pipes or small cracks at ground level. If caught early, they are usually straightforward to deal with. The real work is in the follow up and prevention of entry points. This usually looks like us identifying the entry points and sealing every gap so they cannot return.

Rats take more investigation. If we cannot find an entry point above ground, then the route is almost always the drains. In these cases, a detailed CCTV drain survey is essential. It shows exactly where the damage is and what work is needed to stop the rats accessing the building permanently. Without fixing the defect, any treatment becomes a short-term solution, and you and your property will be vulnerable to further infestations. 

Pubs, restaurants and commercial pest control in Earlsfield

London pub, Pest control
London pub, Pest control

Although Earlsfield is mainly residential, there are several pubs, restaurants and small businesses along Garratt Lane and the surrounding roads. Commercial premises need ongoing protection for Health and Safety reasons. Food safety laws require regular monitoring and immediate action if any pest activity is found.

Commercial kitchens face constant pressure from rats, mice and flies. With older buildings and busy waste areas nearby, the risks are higher. Our local commercial contracts focus on routine inspections, practical proofing work and support for environmental health visits. For a pub or restaurant, this isn’t optional. It’s part of keeping your doors open and maintaining a strong hygiene rating to keep your business thriving.

How Mercury Pest Control approach pest control in Earlsfield

CCTV inspection for rats in Earlsfield, London
CCTV inspection for rats in Earlsfield, London

Every property here sits within the same network of drains and terraced structures, so our approach has developed from our extensive experience working specifically in this area, and similar areas all across London. We regularly use:

  • Rapid treatment using professional baits and traps to remove active infestations
  • Careful inspection of all entry points
  • Above-ground proofing using non-toxic, durable materials
  • CCTV drain surveys for recurring rat problems where the source is not immediately visible
  • Practical advice on long-term prevention around food storage, waste and structural gaps

Living near the River Wandle brings challenges when it comes to pest control

Rat in drain, London
Rat in drain, London

Earlsfield’s charm comes from its small-town feel, green areas and easy transport routes. But with the river running through Earlsfield and older drainage systems beneath it, rodents will always be part of the picture. With the right plan in place, you can stay ahead of the problem rather than reacting to it.

At Mercury Pest Control, we’ve spent years working on Earlsfield’s terraced homes, riverside streets and local businesses. We understand the very specific challenges that come with living next to the River Wandle and inside this compact residential area.

If you need support with mice, rats or regular commercial pest management in Earlsfield, we’re here to help.

London pest control services that we provide

Mercury Pest Control provide expert pest control across all of London for both residential and commercial properties.

The most common London pests include;

  • Pest control surveys in London | professional inspections to identify pest activity and entry points
  • Textile insect control in London | expert treatment for clothes moths, carpet beetles, and other fabric pests
  • Rat control in London | effective rat removal and prevention for residential properties and rat pest control for commercial properties
  • Mouse control  in London | safe mouse proofing and treatment solutions
  • Squirrel control in London | humane squirrel removal and loft protection services
  • Wasp and fly control in London |fast and reliable wasp nest removal and fly treatments
  • Bed bug treatment in London | thorough bed bug treatments and ongoing monitoring
  • Drainage surveys for rats in London | specialist CCTV drain surveys to trace and block rat access routes
  • Commercial pest management in London | tailored pest prevention plans for all commercial businesses including restaurants, offices, warehouses, and retail spaces
  • Integrated pest management in London | long-term, environmentally responsible pest control solutions

📞 Call: 0208 166 5110
📩 Email: info@mercurypestcontrol.co.uk
📍 Serving homes and businesses across all London postcodes | London Pest Control Earlsfield

 

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Pest Control in Sutton London https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/pest-control-in-sutton-london/ Tue, 02 Dec 2025 08:35:20 +0000 https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/?p=4939 Pest Control in Sutton: The pest challenge of family life and new developments London Pest Control | Sutton Pest Control | Sutton Rodent Control Often considered one of the most sought after places for suburban life in London. Sutton attracts families with its blend of affordable housing (compared to other London areas), outstanding Ofsted rated […]

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Pest Control in Sutton: The pest challenge of family life and new developments

London Pest Control | Sutton Pest Control | Sutton Rodent Control

Suburban life in Benhill Park, Sutton
Suburban life in Benhill Park, Sutton

Often considered one of the most sought after places for suburban life in London. Sutton attracts families with its blend of affordable housing (compared to other London areas), outstanding Ofsted rated schools, older, often larger family homes, and plenty of varied green spaces. 

This older area, combined with new developments, creates a unique set of challenges when it comes to effective pest control. For homeowners and business owners in Sutton, understanding these elements is the first step in keeping your property protected.

Area growth and London pest control 

Sutton’s population increased by 10.3% in the last ten years (according to the latest census data). This growth, with ongoing development, means disturbed

Sunset over Sutton
Sunset over Sutton

ground and increased population density, two key drivers of pest movement. As human populations increase, so does the rodent population.

When land is cleared for new homes and new commercial builds (which has happened a lot over the years in Sutton), existing rodent populations start moving, and rats don’t just disappear, they move into the nearest safe havens, often into surrounding residential houses, like yours, or commercial properties. This then leads to a spike in call-outs for rat and mouse pest control in Sutton, London.

Sutton is known for its classic terraced, cosy vintage houses, which, while comfortable, often feature older elements like accessible roof spaces, underfloor voids, and established drainage systems, all easy access entry points and nesting spots for pests.

Safeguarding Sutton’s schools and colleges

Sutton has some of London’s most sought-after schools and colleges, due to their outstanding Ofsted ratings. For any facility used by children, pest control isn’t just about hygiene, it’s a legal obligation and an important safety concern. Pests like rodents and cockroaches pose serious Health & Safety risks for all, even more so for children, and a pest issue in a school kitchen or classroom can severely damage the school’s reputation and be dangerous for the children.

School environments contain kitchens, dining halls, and large roof/loft spaces, making them vulnerable to rats, mice, and wasps. To address this, we implement detailed, documented School Pest Management Plans which is crucial for your Health and Safety compliance. Our strategies prioritise non-toxic methods and structural proofing, especially in areas accessible to children. If you are searching for DBS checked pest control technicians and reliable school pest management contracts, Mercury Pest Control provides the necessary expertise and discreet service needed to maintain a safe, clean learning environment.

High street development and the rodent risk surge

Sutton High Street is always changing, with new businesses opening and the recent demolition of the former B&Q Sutton Court Road now underway to make way for a major new build development site. While this growth is positive and needed in the area, it creates a massive short-term surge in pest activity that every surrounding business and property owner needs to prepare for.

B&Q Sutton, Map data ©2025 Google
B&Q Sutton, Map data ©2025 Google

The groundwork and demolition of large, long-established structures displaces large populations of rodents (rats and mice). These pests have lived undisturbed beneath the foundations for years. And once rodents are disturbed, the scatter, and quickly. This creates an urgent need for specialist pest control near construction sites.

For restaurants, cafés, and retail shops on and near the High Street, this displacement means an immediate and dramatic increase in risk. A rodent sighting from a construction site can quickly become an infestation in a nearby commercial kitchen, putting Food Hygiene Ratings at risk.

If your businesses is close to the Sutton development sites, a robust commercial pest contract is an essential form of insurance for you. We focus on continuous pest monitoring near demolition sites and implementing effective pest proofing against rodents coming into your business. Proactive rodent control for Sutton High Street businesses is the only way to safeguard your business, your reputation, your staff and your inventory against the inevitable pest pressures that come with the major construction renewal in Sutton.

Mice and rat control and the drainage challenge in Sutton, London

With increased population comes increased waste. That’s why we get so many call outs across the town centre. Mice and rats don’t need much space to enter your property, only a gap of about 5mm (imagine the diameter of a pencil) to squeeze through and make your home, their home. 

Rats chewing through back of toilet flexi pipe as they enter through the drainage system
Rats ga through back of toilet flexi pipe as they enter through the drainage system

With old drainage systems, London is notorious for letting rats through the front door, or, through the toilet door. Approximately 80% of rat infestations within a home or business originate from defective or damaged drainage. Rats live comfortably in the sewers and only exit when they find a defect, like a broken pipe, an uncapped redundant line (usually after renovation works) provides a way out for them. They follow this route ‘upstream’, away from the sewage system, until they find a warm, dry nesting spot. Which of course, is inside homes and businesses.

How Mercury Pest Control tackles rodents in Sutton homes:

  1. Effective use of professional-grade baits and traps to quickly deal with the active infestation
  2. Sealing all entry points from air bricks and utility pipe entries to gaps under sheds and outbuildings. Mice are often found entering at ground level, so we focus on sealing everything above ground.
  3. For recurrent rat problems where no entry point is obvious above ground, the problem is likely below. We recommend a CCTV Drain Survey to locate pipe defects, which is essential to provide a permanent solution. 

Fabric pests – moth and carpet beetle pest control

In Sutton’s older, more established properties, we see a regular battle with fabric pests. These small insects cause big problems by destroying valuable items made of natural fibres, such as wool, silk, and leather.

  • Clothes Moths: The most common is the webbing clothes moth. Warmer temperatures can accelerate their breeding cycle. If you spot five to six adult moths in a room, it’s highly likely you have a serious infestation. Items most at risk include jumpers, curtains, and carpets.
  • Carpet Beetles: The larvae of the Varied Carpet Beetle, sometimes called “woolly bears,” are also major pests. They also feed on keratin, but often thrive in undisturbed areas like the edges of carpets, underneath furniture, and in dusty debris between floorboards. Their presence can sometimes be traced back to old bird nests in the roof space, as the larvae naturally feed on feathers and dried insects. Regular, thorough vacuuming is a strong preventative measure, but established infestations often require targeted professional insecticide treatment.

Mercury Pest Control identifies the species and the source. Treatment involves targeted insecticide application to contaminated areas and a robust plan for cleaning, proofing, and safely storing susceptible items.

Pest management for businesses

Sutton’s mix of retail, food service, offices, and new commercial developments means businesses face unique regulatory and operational risks from pests.

For commercial businesses, pest control is about more than just a quick fix; it’s about compliance, brand protection, and long-term prevention.

Who needs a contract?

  • Food & hospitality: Restaurants, cafés, and pubs are at high risk from rats, mice, cockroaches, and flies. Contracts ensure compliance with food safety laws.
  • Food production: Our team provides expert pest management solutions for the food industry. To comply with the law, a food production site must supply food that is safe for human consumption. In short, food must be free from pests and disease. 
  • Construction sites: If you are leading a construction project, pest control should be one of your keys priorities. Not only do unwanted pests pose a risk to the health and safety of your workforce. When left uncontrolled, pests can also reduce the chances of your project delivering on time and to budget.

The contract advantage:

Our primary focus is to manage your business and to prevent pest issues. However, we know that all businesses are unique, which is why we tailor contracts to meet our customers’ needs. We will complete a detailed site survey to understand the risks posed and preventative acting as a first step. While each contract is unique, all will include as a minimum:

  • Regular inspections which ensures we are always one step ahead of the game for pest prevention
  • Internal and external pest proofing to prevent issues
  • EFK (electronic fly killer) servicing
  • Support for Environmental Health Officer (EHO) inspections
  • Workforce training to recognise early signs of infestation, where pests are found and maintaining measures put in place

At Mercury Pest Control, we understand the specific pest challenges faced by Sutton’s families and businesses. We combine local expertise with effective, discreet treatment plans tailored to the borough’s green spaces and varied property types.

Protect your home or business in Sutton today.

London pest control services that we provide

Mercury Pest Control provide expert pest control across all of London for both residential and commercial properties.

The most common London pests include;

  • Pest control surveys in London | professional inspections to identify pest activity and entry points
  • Textile insect control in London | expert treatment for clothes moths, carpet beetles, and other fabric pests
  • Rat control in London | effective rat removal and prevention for residential properties and rat pest control for commercial properties
  • Mouse control  in London | safe mouse proofing and treatment solutions
  • Squirrel control in London | humane squirrel removal and loft protection services
  • Wasp and fly control in London |fast and reliable wasp nest removal and fly treatments
  • Bed bug treatment in London | thorough bed bug treatments and ongoing monitoring
  • Drainage surveys for rats in London | specialist CCTV drain surveys to trace and block rat access routes
  • Commercial pest management in London | tailored pest prevention plans for all commercial businesses including restaurants, offices, warehouses, and retail spaces
  • Integrated pest management in London | long-term, environmentally responsible pest control solutions

📞 Call: 0208 166 5110
📩 Email: info@mercurypestcontrol.co.uk
📍 Serving homes and businesses across all London postcodes | London Pest Control Sutton

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London pest control this winter https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/london-pest-control-this-winter/ Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:39:52 +0000 https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/?p=4901 London pest control this winter: How to stop cold guests from inviting themselves in London Pest Control | Winter in London | Festive Season London   The cold is approaching, fast. You have probably felt the air getting crisper, you can start to spot the first festive lights, and London is transforming into its beautiful, […]

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London city sykline looking East along River Thames
London city sykline looking East along River Thames

London pest control this winter: How to stop cold guests from inviting themselves in

London Pest Control | Winter in London | Festive Season London

 

The cold is approaching, fast. You have probably felt the air getting crisper, you can start to spot the first festive lights, and London is transforming into its beautiful, frosty winter self.

Whether you’re battling the crowds to see the lights on Regent Street in the City of Westminster, enjoying a quiet, cold walk through Richmond upon Thames, or braving the ice rink by the South Bank in Lambeth, we’re all looking forward to that moment we step back inside our warm, cosy homes.

But, if you’re craving the warmth, so are the London pests. As soon as the temperature starts to drop outside, your secure, heated house, full of food and insulation, stops being a home and starts looking like a five-star luxury hotel to every rodent, pest, and insect desperate to escape the cold. 

At Mercury Pest Control, we know that winter is the most critical time for preventative pest control all across London. Your efforts now will save you a lot of headache (and money) in the depths of the winter months. 

Below is your November guide to London pest control, to gear up ready for the winter, focusing on the pests most likely to invade, what they’re up to, and the practical steps you can take today.

The winter rush: why pests move into your London home

Our homes offer three comforts all creatures need when trying to survive the cold: Food, Water, and Shelter.

In older boroughs like Islington and Hackney, the network of interconnected period homes provides an easy route for rodents once they find an entry point. Here’s a look at the key pests who become highly active in the cold:

Rats and mice

Red double decker bus in London during Christmas time.
Red double decker bus in London during Christmas time.

Rats and mice don’t hibernate. When the ground freezes, they simply shift their focus from surviving outdoors to thriving indoors. Their survival depends entirely on finding a reliable warm place to stay. 

What they’re doing now:

  • Targeting the heat: Their focus shifts to getting into the main structure of the house, rather than sheds or out houses. We find them in loft spaces, wall cavities, and always close to sources of warmth, like the boiler room.
  • Finding their meals: In busy family homes across areas like Camden and Kensington and Chelsea, a stray crumb or an open bag of pet food in your kitchen is a huge luxury when natural food sources are harder to come by. 
  • Building nests: They will shred anything for bedding, insulation, cardboard, fabrics, and yes, electrical wiring. This isn’t just a nuisance; it’s a serious fire hazard that peaks in the winter months.

After a busy day of Christmas shopping in the West End, the last thing you want to come home to is a mouse in your flat. A mouse needs a gap the size of a pencil to enter your home, and a young rat only the size of a 20p coin. Proof by sealing every single crack you find, especially where pipes and cables enter the home, using durable materials like wire wool and proper sealant.

Squirrels

You might see them burying nuts in Greenwich Park or Hyde Park, but when it gets seriously cold, the grey squirrel wants your attic, and these little intrusive pests will stop at nothing to get in.

What they’re doing now:

  • Forcing entry: Squirrels are shockingly strong and persistent which often people don’t realise as they enjoy seeing Squirrels in parks. They will gnaw right through roof vents, soffits, fascia boards, and damaged flashing to access the driest, warmest space in your home, your loft.
  • Structural chaos: Once they’re in, they’re messy. They tear apart insulation to build a huge nest, leave droppings everywhere, and the noise of their scratching and scurrying can drive anyone mad. They cause much more concentrated damage than mice or rats, and often, long lasting trauma for residents.

Now is the time to inspect your roofline, safely. Ensure any vents are covered with a sturdy metal mesh and that all tiles and eaves are fully sealed. Don’t underestimate how determined a squirrel is to avoid a night out in the cold. 

Other winter pests that thrive indoors

Securing your home means thinking about more than just rodents and squirrels. Other pests thrive in the consistent, centrally heated environments we maintain through winter.

Bed bugs

Christmas tree lights in city of London
Christmas tree lights in city of London

The holiday season brings family visits, students home from university, and winter breaks. Bed bugs are infamous hitchhikers who love luggage.

What they’re doing now:

  • Consistent comfort: Bed bugs don’t hibernate and they are active and breeding all winter, especially when you maintain a warm indoor temperature.
  • The free ride: A single pregnant female introduced via a visitor’s suitcase or a returning student’s laundry bag can start a massive infestation in your bedroom. We see spikes in calls for London pest control in the winter right after the holiday travel season.

When you or visitors return from travel, keep luggage off beds and sofas. Wash all clothes immediately on a high-temperature setting and if you’re getting unexplained bites, don’t wait, call Mercury Pest Control straight away.

Moths

It’s time to dig out our winter clothes and this is where we often find evidence of clothes moth larvae. 

What they’re doing now:

  • Feasting in the wardrobe: Your warm textile filled wardrobes, drawers and cupboards offer a perfect spot for moth larvae to feed on wool, cashmere, and silk. And yes, they have expensive taste. 
  • Open buffet: Pantry moths continue to breed in your dry goods, as they do year round as they can easily chew through soft packaging. Main focus areas can be cereal, flour, and spices.

When switching out to your winter wardrobe, wash all woollen items before storage or wearing. In the kitchen, transfer all dry goods into hard plastic or glass containers, throw away spices that are not used and just take up space.

Final check: your plan for effective London pest control in the winter

If you want a winter free from scratching noises and costly damage, you need to act now.

  1. Seal it all: Be relentless. Plug every crack, gap, and utility entry point with sealant and wire wool.
  2. Tidy the kitchen: Don’t leave anything out overnight. Store pet food, crumbs, and snacks securely.
  3. Secure the bins: Ensure all indoor and outdoor bins are sealed tight. This is your first line of defence against rats in dense areas like Ealing and Tower Hamlets.
  4. Clear the clutter: Declutter lofts and basements. Pests love undisturbed piles of cardboard and fabrics for nesting. Store items in sealed plastic tubs.
  5. Call at the first sign: If you find one dropping or hear one scratch, act fast. Pests multiply rapidly, and in London’s properties, they can spread through your neighbourhood quickly.

London pest control services that we provide

Mercury Pest Control provide expert pest control across all of London for both residential and commercial properties.

The most common London pests include;

  • Pest control surveys in London | professional inspections, pest surveys, and commercial pest control contracts to identify pest activity and entry points
  • Textile insect control in London | expert treatment for clothes moths, carpet beetles, and other fabric pests, including moth and carpet beetle surveys & treatments
  • Rat control in London | effective rat control & prevention, rodent control, and removal for residential and commercial properties
  • Mouse control in London | safe mouse control & proofing and rodent control treatment solutions
  • Squirrel control in London | humane squirrel control removal and loft protection services
  • Wasp and fly control in London | fast and reliable wasp control, wasp nest removal, and fly control treatments
  • Bed bug treatment in London | thorough bed bug control treatments and ongoing monitoring
  • Drainage surveys for rats in London | specialist CCTV drain surveys, drain surveys, drainage cleaning/high pressure jetting, and drainage no dig repairs/relining to trace and block rat access routes
  • Commercial pest management in London | tailored commercial pest management, commercial pest control contracts, and pest prevention plans for all businesses including restaurants, offices, warehouses, and retail spaces
  • Integrated pest management in London | long-term, environmentally responsible pest control solutions
  • Flea control in London | targeted flea control treatments for residential and commercial properties
  • Cockroach control in London | professional treatments for cockroaches and ongoing monitoring for all species
  • Ant control in London | effective solutions for ant control and eradication of various species
  • Bird control & pigeon proofing in London | professional bird deterrents and pigeon control & proofing systems for commercial properties

📞 Call: 0208 166 5110
📩 Email: info@mercurypestcontrol.co.uk
📍 Serving homes and businesses across all London postcodes | London Pest Control Winter

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London pests that go bump in the night  https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/london-pest-control-this-halloween/ Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:38:58 +0000 https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/?p=4879 London pests that go bump in the night this Halloween  London Pest Control Halloween | Halloween Pests | London Halloween October is a month of cobwebs, pumpkins and all things spooky, . For London households, the scariest creatures aren’t ghosts or ghouls, they’re the pests sneaking into your home as the nights grow colder and […]

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London pests that go bump in the night this Halloween 

London Pest Control Halloween | Halloween Pests | London Halloween

Halloween in London
Halloween in London

October is a month of cobwebs, pumpkins and all things spooky, . For London households, the scariest creatures aren’t ghosts or ghouls, they’re the pests sneaking into your home as the nights grow colder and darker.

At Mercury Pest Control, we know Halloween is all about creepy-crawlies. So, let’s shine a light on the pests you might meet this season, the ones that really do go bump in the night.

Spiders: the misunderstood house guests 

Closeup of European garden spider (cross spider, crowned orb weaver) sitting on a spider web
Closeup of European garden spider (cross spider, crowned orb weaver) sitting on a spider web

Nothing screams Halloween quite like a spider dangling from the ceiling. They might startle you as they dash across the carpet, but the truth is, spiders are the unsung heroes of autumn. When they head indoors, they’re not after you, they’re after the insects that sneak into your home.

In fact, the bigger the spider, the harder it’s been working to keep your home free of flies and moths. So, before you grab the nearest shoe, remember: these ‘eight-legged freaks’ are free pest control in disguise, and they will leave you alone, if you leave them alone. 

The real horror story: mice and rats

Common mouse in London home
Common mouse in London home

Spiders might earn their keep, but mice and rats are a different story altogether. When rodents invade London homes, they bring three things with them: disease, damage and drama. They contaminate food, gnaw through wiring and multiply at a terrifying speed. IT can be a truly horrific experience for us humans. 

During autumn, mice and rats are more attracted to the indoors, due to the added warmth our houses bring. They like to find quiet secluded spaces, such as loft spaces, wall cavities, behind kitchen cupboards or appliances, or even (unused) fire places. 

If you notice droppings anywhere in your house, scratching noises at night or food packets mysteriously nibbled, you most likely have a four legged house guest, and unlike a Halloween scare fest, this pest won’t vanish when the lights come on, it’s time to call the professionals. 

Cockroaches: the ultimate survivors

Cockroach in London business
Cockroach in London business

Cockroaches are resilient. Some love to say they would be the only creatures left after a nuclear apocalypse, meaning, they may be one of the toughest pests around. They carry harmful bacteria, thrive in the shadows and can cause serious issues for both homes and businesses.

For restaurants, takeaways and food production sites, a cockroach outbreak is more than unpleasant, it’s reputation-ruining. If you’re spotting live or dead roaches, finding their small, dark, pepper-like droppings, noticing brown, oily smear marks, discovering empty egg casings, or detecting a persistent, musty or oily odor, it is time to give Mercury Pest Control a call. 

Moths and pantry pests: the fabric and food destroyers

An estimated 5%-10% of us suffer from mottephobia: the fear of moths. For many, moths are the stuff of nightmares, but in the real world, they will leave you with ruined jumpers and cupboards full of chewed food packets. Clothes moth larvae feast on natural fibres, leaving tiny holes in your favourite items. Pantry moths, meanwhile, make themselves at home in cereals, pasta and even spices.

Meal moth in London home
Meal moth in London home

These pests don’t just snack on food, they chew straight through packaging, meaning your kitchen can quickly become their buffet table.

Common hotspots for pantry moths include:

  • Cereals, grains and pasta
  • Dried fruit, nuts and even pet food
  • Left out Trick or Treat snacks

Spotting casings, webbing or food damage is your sign to call in Mercury Pest Control before things spiral out of control.

Don’t let pests haunt your home and call London Pest Control this Halloween

Spiders may deserve a reprieve this spooky season, but rodents, cockroaches and moths are a different matter. Left unchecked, they can spread quickly and cause serious damage to your health, home or business.

At Mercury Pest Control, we deal with London’s most stubborn infestations every day. Whether it’s rodents in your walls, cockroaches in your kitchen or moths in your wardrobe, our qualified team will act quickly to stop pests in their tracks.

London pest control services that we provide

Mercury Pest Control provide expert pest control across all of London for both residential and commercial properties.

The most common London pests include;

  • Pest control surveys in London | professional inspections, pest surveys, and commercial pest control contracts to identify pest activity and entry points
  • Textile insect control in London | expert treatment for clothes moths, carpet beetles, and other fabric pests, including moth and carpet beetle surveys & treatments
  • Rat control in London | effective rat control & prevention, rodent control, and removal for residential and commercial properties
  • Mouse control in London | safe mouse control & proofing and rodent control treatment solutions
  • Squirrel control in London | humane squirrel control removal and loft protection services
  • Wasp and fly control in London | fast and reliable wasp control, wasp nest removal, and fly control treatments
  • Bed bug treatment in London | thorough bed bug control treatments and ongoing monitoring
  • Drainage surveys for rats in London | specialist CCTV drain surveys, drain surveys, drainage cleaning/high pressure jetting, and drainage no dig repairs/relining to trace and block rat access routes
  • Commercial pest management in London | tailored commercial pest management, commercial pest control contracts, and pest prevention plans for all businesses including restaurants, offices, warehouses, and retail spaces
  • Integrated pest management in London | long-term, environmentally responsible pest control solutions
  • Flea control in London | targeted flea control treatments for residential and commercial properties
  • Cockroach control in London | professional treatments for cockroaches and ongoing monitoring for all species
  • Ant control in London | effective solutions for ant control and eradication of various species
  • Bird control & pigeon proofing in London | professional bird deterrents and pigeon control & proofing systems for commercial properties

📞 Call: 0208 166 5110
📩 Email: info@mercurypestcontrol.co.uk
📍 Serving homes and businesses across all London postcodes | London Pest Control Halloween

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Pest control in Islington London https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/pest-control-in-islington-london/ https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/pest-control-in-islington-london/#comments Tue, 21 Oct 2025 09:37:15 +0000 https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/?p=4862 Pest Control in Islington: Exciting new developments and rising pest pressures Pest control in Islington covering Upper Street & Angel | Fast, discreet service for N1 homes & businesses amid local redevelopments Islington has always been a borough of contrasts, from one street you’ve got historic Georgian terraces, leafy garden squares and classic British pubs; on […]

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Pest Control in IslingtonExciting new developments and rising pest pressures
Regent’s canal view in Islington area of London
Regent’s canal view in Islington area of London

Pest control in Islington covering Upper Street & Angel | Fast, discreet service for N1 homes & businesses amid local redevelopments

Islington has always been a borough of contrasts, from one street you’ve got historic Georgian terraces, leafy garden squares and classic British pubs; on the next, a modern block of flats, diverse restaurants and new cultural spaces. It’s this mix that gives N1 its unique and sort after character, but it’s also what makes the area such a hotspot for pests.

Building work and the ever present nightlife

Contemporary exterior of Emirates Stadium, Arsenal FC's home. Islington, London, UK
Contemporary exterior of Emirates Stadium, Arsenal FC’s home. Islington, London, UK

Redevelopment is a huge part of the picture. Projects like Islington Square, a major mixed-use scheme off Upper Street, are transforming Islington’s old spaces into a pet day care, indoor golf company and fitness studio, alongside the continuous development of new shops and homes. That’s exciting for not just residents and businesses, but for pests too as it’s a period of opportunity.

Rodents in particular are disturbed by construction work, as the ground is dug up and old voids are exposed, rats and mice are pushed out of their hiding places. When they are uncovered, they simply spread into surrounding streets and properties in search of food and shelter. Add to that the growing number of bars, restaurants, and cafés along Upper Street, Essex Road, and around Angel, with all the bins, deliveries, and late-night footfall that come with them, and it’s no surprise that pest call-outs in Islington remain high.

Why pests thrive in N1

Some of the local factors that make Islington so appealing to pests:

  • Historic housing stock – old basements, shared walls, and hidden voids are perfect pathways for mice and cockroaches.
  • Mixed waste storage – flats above shops, market stalls on Chapel Market, and restaurant bin stores create easy pickings.
  • Green spaces – Barnard Park, Highbury Fields, and Regent’s Canal towpaths give pigeons, squirrels, and foxes shelter within walking distance of homes.

The usual suspects

We see a familiar line-up in Islington, though each area has its quirks:

  • Mice and rats – especially active around basements, communal bins, and older drains.
  • Cockroaches – concentrated in busy kitchens and food storage areas.
  • Wasps – nesting in lofts and wall cavities during summer months.
  • Clothes moths – common in period homes storing fabrics or vintage furniture.
  • Bird pests – pigeons nesting along Upper Street rooftops, leaving mess on balconies and blocking gutters.

Staying ahead of the problem

Islington, London- Street of upmarket townhouses typical for the area which boarder the City of London
Islington, London- Street of upmarket townhouses typical for the area which boarder the City of London

The warning signs are easy to miss at first. Scratching in the walls, droppings under the sink, or a sudden increase in flies around bin stores. Left unchecked, though, a small issue can become a real headache.

That’s why at Mercury Pest Control we take a proactive approach: surveying buildings, proofing entry points, and tailoring treatments for both heritage terraces and modern flats. With over 15 years in North London, we’ve seen how Islington’s changing landscape affects pest behaviour and we know how to keep ahead of it.

Whether you’re running a restaurant near Angel, moving into one of the new Islington Square apartments, or managing a family home by Highbury Fields, the right pest control plan is the best way to protect your space.

London pest control services that we provide

Mercury Pest Control provide expert pest control across all of London for both residential and commercial properties.

The most common London pests include;

  • Pest control surveys in London | professional inspections, pest surveys, and commercial pest control contracts to identify pest activity and entry points
  • Textile insect control in London | expert treatment for clothes moths, carpet beetles, and other fabric pests, including moth and carpet beetle surveys & treatments
  • Rat control in London | effective rat control & prevention, rodent control, and removal for residential and commercial properties
  • Mouse control in London | safe mouse control & proofing and rodent control treatment solutions
  • Squirrel control in London | humane squirrel control removal and loft protection services
  • Wasp and fly control in London | fast and reliable wasp control, wasp nest removal, and fly control treatments
  • Bed bug treatment in London | thorough bed bug control treatments and ongoing monitoring
  • Drainage surveys for rats in London | specialist CCTV drain surveys, drain surveys, drainage cleaning/high pressure jetting, and drainage no dig repairs/relining to trace and block rat access routes
  • Commercial pest management in London | tailored commercial pest management, commercial pest control contracts, and pest prevention plans for all businesses including restaurants, offices, warehouses, and retail spaces
  • Integrated pest management in London | long-term, environmentally responsible pest control solutions
  • Flea control in London | targeted flea control treatments for residential and commercial properties
  • Cockroach control in London | professional treatments for cockroaches and ongoing monitoring for all species
  • Ant control in London | effective solutions for ant control and eradication of various species
  • Bird control & pigeon proofing in London | professional bird deterrents and pigeon control & proofing systems for commercial properties

📞 Call: 0208 166 5110
📩 Email: info@mercurypestcontrol.co.uk
📍 Serving homes and businesses across all London postcodes | London Pest Control Halloween

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Pest control in South Kensington London https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/pest-control-in-south-kensington/ https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/pest-control-in-south-kensington/#comments Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:35:15 +0000 https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/?p=4860 South Kensington Pest Control: Keeping pests out of one of London’s busiest districts   South Kensington has always been a neighbourhood full of life. Exhibition Road is buzzing with museum visitors, Old Brompton Road is packed with cafés and restaurants, and the area’s iconic white-stucco terraces are as recognisable as the red buses passing through. […]

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South Kensington Pest Control: Keeping pests out of one of London’s busiest districts

 

Metropolitan an district railways metal forging sign in London at the entrance South Kensington Station.
Metropolitan an district railways metal forging sign in London at the entrance South Kensington Station.

South Kensington has always been a neighbourhood full of life. Exhibition Road is buzzing with museum visitors, Old Brompton Road is packed with cafés and restaurants, and the area’s iconic white-stucco terraces are as recognisable as the red buses passing through. This autumn, the excitement steps up a notch with the arrival of Banksy Limitless, a London-exclusive exhibition opening at Sussex Mansions on Old Brompton Road (Secret London).

But while the crowds are gathering for culture, pests will be making the most of the same opportunities. Food waste, overflowing bins, and the hidden nooks of South Kensington’s older buildings all give them exactly what they need to move in.

Why pests thrive in South Kensington

London townhouses in South Kensington
London townhouses in South Kensington

Unlike newer parts of London, much of South Kensington’s housing stock is Victorian and Edwardian. These buildings are full of character, but also come with gaps in brickwork, basement voids, old drainage systems, and loft spaces that pests can exploit. Restaurants and takeaways on Gloucester Road and Old Brompton Road add another layer of risk. Even with good waste management, the sheer volume of food means rats, mice, cockroaches, and foxes are never far away.

The nearby green spaces of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens also make their presence felt. Squirrels, pigeons, and gulls move easily between trees and rooftops, often bringing noise, damage, and droppings with them. Put all of this together, and you have one of the most attractive environments for pests anywhere in central London.

The usual suspects

From our experience, these are the pests that cause the most disruption in South Kensington:

  • Rats and mice – often travelling up from damaged drains or sneaking through gaps in basements.
  • Clothes moths – a particular problem in homes storing antiques, soft furnishings, or luxury fabrics.
  • Cockroaches – thriving in busy kitchens where warmth and food are in constant supply.
  • Squirrels – moving in through rooflines and causing damage in loft spaces.
  • Pigeons  – nesting on rooftops and balconies, leaving mess and blocking gutters.
  • Bed bugs – regularly reported in hotels, short-term rentals, and even private flats thanks to visitor turnover.

Warning signs to look out for

Catching a problem early makes all the difference. Keep an eye out for:

  • Scratching noises in lofts, basements, or wall cavities.
  • Droppings in cupboards or under sinks.
  • Unexplained holes in clothing, carpets, or upholstery.
  • Grease marks or unpleasant odours along skirting boards.
  • A sudden increase in insects around drains, kitchens, or light fittings.

How Mercury Pest Control tackles pests in South Kensington

View Over South Kensington Rooftops in London UK
View Over South Kensington Rooftops in London UK

We’ve been serving Kensington and Chelsea for more than 15 years, and we know the quirks of the buildings and the pressures that come with high footfall areas. Our work here ranges from rodent proofing and drain surveys to moth and insect treatments, bird control, and emergency callouts when infestations strike.

But more than anything, we focus on prevention. With the right pest control contract, restaurants, cafés, hotels, and galleries can protect their hygiene ratings and reputations, especially during busy cultural moments like the Banksy Limitless exhibition.

Don’t let pests steal the spotlight

In South Kensington, pests are part of the backdrop, but they don’t have to be part of your home or business. Whether you’re running a restaurant on Gloucester Road, managing a gallery near Old Brompton Road, or living in one of the area’s grand terraces, professional pest control is the best way to stay one step ahead.

London pest control services that we provide

Mercury Pest Control provide expert pest control across all of London for both residential and commercial properties.

The most common London pests include;

  • Pest control surveys in London | professional inspections, pest surveys, and commercial pest control contracts to identify pest activity and entry points
  • Textile insect control in London | expert treatment for clothes moths, carpet beetles, and other fabric pests, including moth and carpet beetle surveys & treatments
  • Rat control in London | effective rat control & prevention, rodent control, and removal for residential and commercial properties
  • Mouse control in London | safe mouse control & proofing and rodent control treatment solutions
  • Squirrel control in London | humane squirrel control removal and loft protection services
  • Wasp and fly control in London | fast and reliable wasp control, wasp nest removal, and fly control treatments
  • Bed bug treatment in London | thorough bed bug control treatments and ongoing monitoring
  • Drainage surveys for rats in London | specialist CCTV drain surveys, drain surveys, drainage cleaning/high pressure jetting, and drainage no dig repairs/relining to trace and block rat access routes
  • Commercial pest management in London | tailored commercial pest management, commercial pest control contracts, and pest prevention plans for all businesses including restaurants, offices, warehouses, and retail spaces
  • Integrated pest management in London | long-term, environmentally responsible pest control solutions
  • Flea control in London | targeted flea control treatments for residential and commercial properties
  • Cockroach control in London | professional treatments for cockroaches and ongoing monitoring for all species
  • Ant control in London | effective solutions for ant control and eradication of various species
  • Bird control & pigeon proofing in London | professional bird deterrents and pigeon control & proofing systems for commercial properties

📞 Call: 0208 166 5110
📩 Email: info@mercurypestcontrol.co.uk
📍 Serving homes and businesses across all London postcodes | London Pest Control Halloween

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London’s back to school pests https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/londons-back-to-school-pests/ https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/londons-back-to-school-pests/#comments Thu, 28 Aug 2025 04:53:52 +0000 https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/?p=4841 London’s back to school pests you don’t see coming Return to school hygiene tips | Back to school pests | Pest prevention for parents The start of a new school year always feels like a fresh chapter. For kids and parents all across London and the UK. Uniforms are pressed, bags are packed, and the […]

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London’s back to school pests you don’t see coming

Return to school hygiene tips | Back to school pests | Pest prevention for parents

London back to school tips
London back to school tips

The start of a new school year always feels like a fresh chapter. For kids and parents all across London and the UK. Uniforms are pressed, bags are packed, and the daily routine of packed lunches, homework and after-school clubs kicks back in. But while parents are busy juggling timetables, there are some less welcome guests preparing to make an appearance.

At Mercury Pest Control, we often see a spike in call-outs throughout September. The reason is simple: the back-to-school season doesn’t just bring children together in classrooms, it also gives pests the perfect opportunity to spread. From head lice to bed bugs to rodents seeking autumn shelter, here’s what parents should know, and how to keep your home a healthy, pest-free space this back-to-school term.

Head lice: the school playground hitchhikers

London back to school tips
London back to school tips

Ask any parent and they’ll tell you head lice are almost a rite of passage during primary school years. After weeks of summer holidays, the return to crowded classrooms means close contact, shared resources and plenty of opportunities for lice to spread.

Parents can bee caught off guard, their child comes home scratching, and within days, the whole household is affected. While head lice are more of a nuisance than a health risk, the stress and discomfort they cause can be overwhelming if not tackled quickly.

Regular checks with a fine-tooth comb, tying back long hair, and acting fast at the first sign are still the most effective defences. The important thing is not to ignore the problem. Left untreated, lice can spread through siblings, parents, and even extended family members before you know it.

Bed bugs in schoolbags (and suitcases)

One of the most concerning trends we’ve seen in recent years is the rise of bed bugs making their way into homes via schools, and increasingly, through travel. Unlike head lice, which live on the scalp, bed bugs hitch a ride in belongings: schoolbags, coats, sports kits, books, and just as often, suitcases from hotels or overnight stays.

London back-to-school & back-to-business tips
London back to school tips
London back to school tips

It only takes one or two bugs hiding in a schoolbag to start an infestation. Once inside a home, bed bugs settle into soft furnishings and mattresses, and they’re very difficult to get rid of permanently without professional treatment.

We often hear of the first sign of bed bugs being unexplained bites on a child’s legs. We can then trace the source back to their schoolbag being left on a bed or sofa each afternoon. Similarly, we see infestations start when after a period of travel, unpack directly onto beds or store unchecked luggage in bedrooms after a business or weekend trip.

Some simple day-today habits can make a difference:

  • Keep schoolbags off beds and sofas
  • Wash PE kits, sports gloves and uniforms at high temperatures
  • On returning from travel or work trips, wash all clothes immediately, again at high temperatures
  • Vacuum and clean out suitcases before putting them away
  • Regularly check mattress seams and soft furnishings
  • Don’t ignore bites and if concerned, have a pest survey from a reputable pest control contractor who is BPCA registered

If you think you may have a bed bug infestation, contact Mercury Pest Control right away. As a result of their feeding and breeding behaviours, bed bugs can rapidly multiply and cause significant irritation. At Mercury Pest Control, we specialise in bed bug removal for London’s homes and businesses. If you think you have an infestation, call us today for a no-obligation survey.

Kitchen pests and the return of packed lunches

London's back-to-school packed lunch
London’s back-to-school packed lunch

With children back in school, the kitchen often becomes the busiest room in the house again. Morning rushes mean crumbs, half-packed snacks and sticky surfaces, all of which are perfect for pests like ants, fruit flies and pantry moths.

It’s quite common for us to be called out in September to homes where infestations started with nothing more than a forgotten lunch box, or an open packet of cereal tucked at the back of a cupboard. In family kitchens, even the smallest amount of food residue can attract unwanted visitors.

Before the term gets fully underway, it’s worth giving your cupboards and worktops a deep clean. Store dry goods like cereals, biscuits and pasta in sealed containers, and get into the habit of rinsing lunch boxes and bottles straight after school. These small steps make a big difference in keeping pests out of the family food routine.

Rodents on the move as autumn approaches

September also marks the start of rodent season. As nights get cooler, mice and rats begin looking for food and shelter indoors. Family homes are especially vulnerable at this time of year because busy school routines often mean food wrappers left in bags, bins not emptied quickly enough, or gaps around doors that go unnoticed.

In London, the problem is often made worse by older houses. We see countless cases of mice moving between terraced properties and flats through shared voids and wall cavities. Parents often don’t notice until the signs become obvious: droppings in cupboards, gnaw marks on food packaging, or scratching sounds at night.

Acting early is key. Sealing gaps, keeping bins secured, and storing children’s snacks properly all reduce the risk of rodents settling in. If you’ve had problems before, it may be worth booking a survey before autumn sets in fully.

Back-to-school pest prevention checklist

London back to school tips
London back to school tips

While no parent can control everything their child brings home, a few habits can make a big difference:

  • Check children’s hair weekly for lice
  • Keep schoolbags off beds and soft furnishings
  • Wash PE kits and uniforms at 60°C where possible
  • Store snacks and cereals in airtight containers
  • Rinse and clean lunch boxes daily
  • Check foodstuffs for gnawed packaging and signs of damage from rodents
  • Check for mice droppings alongside skirting boards, wall to floor junctions and behind sofas

Need support this term?

the back-to-school period is hectic enough without pests making things harder. If you’re worried about recurring infestations, or you’ve noticed early signs of bed bugs, rodents or other pests, it’s always best to act quickly.

At Mercury Pest Control, we work with families across London to identify risks, provide professional treatments and keep homes pest-free throughout the year.

📞 Call: 0208 166 5110
📩 Email: info@mercurypestcontrol.co.uk
📍 Serving homes and businesses across all London postcodes

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Pest control in Crystal Palace London https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/pest-control-in-crystal-palace-london/ https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/pest-control-in-crystal-palace-london/#comments Thu, 21 Aug 2025 07:07:47 +0000 https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/?p=4829 Crystal Palace Pest Control: Keeping your home and business pest free It’s an exciting time in SE19. The football season is kicking off, and Crystal Palace F.C. is still riding the high from that unforgettable FA Cup victory over Manchester City. The Triangle is buzzing, the pubs are packed, and Crystal Palace Park is filled […]

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Crystal Palace Pest Control: Keeping your home and business pest free

It’s an exciting time in SE19. The football season is kicking off, and Crystal Palace F.C. is still riding the high from that unforgettable FA Cup victory over Manchester City. The Triangle is buzzing, the pubs are packed, and Crystal Palace Park is filled with summer crowds.

But while the community is celebrating, pests have their own game plan, and they never take the season off.

Why pests love Crystal Palace as much as locals do

Crystal Palace Pest Control, London
Crystal Palace Pest Control, London

Crystal Palace is a mix of bustling streets, historic parks, and leafy residential roads. This variety gives pests plenty of opportunities to find food, water, and shelter.

Hotspots include:

Common pests in Crystal Palace

Over the years, we’ve seen the same troublemakers showing up time and again in the area:

  • Mice & rats – often sneaking in through old brickwork, drains, or gaps under doors.
  • Squirrels – especially in lofts near the park or wooded gardens.
  • Cockroaches – usually in kitchens and storerooms, especially in busy cafés and restaurants.
  • Wasps – nests in sheds, lofts, and even park-side benches in summer.
  • Clothes moths – a recurring issue in older flats and houses with hidden storage spaces.

Signs your defence line might be down

Crystal Palace railway station London Overground sign
Crystal Palace railway station London Overground sign

Just like in football, prevention is key, but when pests do get through, there are always early warning signs:

  • Scratching or scurrying noises overhead or in walls.
  • Droppings in cupboards or under sinks.
  • Chewed packaging in pantries.
  • Strong, unpleasant smells from hidden corners.
  • Increased insect activity at night.

Spotting these signs early means you can act fast, rather than waiting for pests to score a late winner in your home.

How Mercury Pest Control tackles pests in Crystal Palace

We’ve been serving South London for over 15 years, with local technicians who know the quirks of Crystal Palace’s buildings and green spaces. Our approach is about more than just treatments, it’s about long-term prevention.

Our services include:

  • Same-day emergency callouts across SE19 and surrounding areas.
  • Rodent and insect control for homes, shops, cafés, and offices.
  • Bird proofing for rooftops and balconies.
  • Drain surveys to stop rats at the source.
  • Pest control contracts with routine inspections and expert support.

Whether you’re running a bar on Westow Hill or living in a flat near Crystal Palace Park, we’ll help keep your space pest-free.

Why a pest control contract is the best defence for your business

For local businesses, from the pubs showing the Palace match to the Saturday food market stalls, a pest control contract can protect your hygiene rating, prevent customer complaints, reputation and save you money in the long run.

We work with:

  • Restaurants and cafés in the Triangle.
  • Retail shops and vintage stores along Church Road.
  • Property managers overseeing residential blocks.

Don’t wait for an infestation to become a headline. Mercury Pest Control is your local, BPCA-certified team ready to help you stay pest-free all year round.

📞 Call us on 0208 166 5110
📧 Email info@mercurypestcontrol.co.uk
💬 Message us via our website

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Pest control in Shoreditch London https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/pest-control-in-shoreditch-london/ https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/pest-control-in-shoreditch-london/#comments Tue, 12 Aug 2025 13:10:55 +0000 https://mercurypestcontrol.co.uk/?p=4823 Pest control in Shoreditch, London, What you need to know Pest control in Shoreditch, London is essential for both businesses and residents. This lively and creative hub is famous for its street food, iconic Brick Lane bagels, buzzing bars and a booming hospitality scene, but it also brings its fair share of pest issues. If […]

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Pest control in Shoreditch, London, What you need to know

Pest control in Shoreditch, London is essential for both businesses and residents. This lively and creative hub is famous for its street food, iconic Brick Lane bagels, buzzing bars and a booming hospitality scene, but it also brings its fair share of pest issues. If you’re searching for reliable pest control in Shoreditch, here’s what you need to know.

Are pest problems common in Shoreditch?

Absolutely, especially in flats, blocks and commercial premises. With high footfall, busy restaurants, cocktail bars and late-night food spots, it’s no surprise that Shoreditch attracts:

Shoreditch London Pest Control
Shoreditch London Pest Control
  • Mice and rats (often from nearby food waste or underground access)
  • Cockroaches in kitchens and basements
  • Insects like ants and flies, especially in food-prep areas
  • Pigeons and nuisance birds around rooftop bars and offices
  • Clothes moths in residential flats

Early signs of mice and insect infestations in Shoreditch

Many people in E1 postcode and surrounding areas don’t realise there’s a pest problem until it becomes hard to ignore. Some common early signs include:

  • Scratching sounds in ceilings or behind kitchen units (mice/rats)
  • Small dark droppings near food or behind appliances
  • Grease marks along skirting boards
  • Chewed packaging in cupboards or storerooms
  • Night-time insect activity (especially cockroaches)
  • Bad smells near walls or under floorboards

If you notice any of these, it’s best to act fast before the problem spreads.

Who provides trusted pest control in Shoreditch?

Shoreditch Pest Control
Shoreditch Pest Control

Mercury Pest Control is your local, trusted provider for pest control in Shoreditch, London. We’ve been tackling rodent, insect and bird problems for over 8 years across Greater and East London, with fast response times and tailored treatment plans for both commercial and domestic customers.

📞 Call us today on 0208 166 5110 to speak to your local pest control expert.

Can rats and mice enter Shoreditch properties through the drains?

Yes, Shoreditch has a mix of older drainage systems and new builds with shared waste pipes. It’s not uncommon for rats to gain access through broken or open drains in both residential flats and commercial kitchens.

We offer full drain surveys, proofing, and rodent treatment plans to deal with these problems at the root.

Why pest control contracts are vital for Shoreditch businesses

If you run a café, restaurant, cocktail bar, properties or office space in Shoreditch, having a pest control contract isn’t just helpful, it’s a must. Regular treatments and monitoring can prevent costly infestations and help protect your hygiene rating during EHO inspections and reputation.

We provide pest control contracts across Shoreditch for:

Contracts include routine visits, 24/7 support and digital reporting for health and safety compliance.

Do you offer same-day pest control in Shoreditch?

Yes, we understand that when pests appear, it’s urgent. Whether you’ve spotted a mouse in your kitchen or have a cockroach issue in your café, we can usually attend the same day.

Our local Shoreditch team covers all E1, EC2A, N1, E2, E1W, E5–8, EC1Y, EC2M, EC2N, EC2R, EC1M, EC1A and many more postcodes, including nearby Hoxton, Bethnal Green and Spitalfields.

Why choose Mercury Pest Control for pest control in Shoreditch, London?

✅ East London-based team
✅ BPCA-certified, fully insured and experienced
✅ Over 20 years of pest control experience across London
✅ Domestic and commercial specialists
✅ Rated 5-stars on Google and Checkatrade
✅ Flexible pest control contracts available

Looking for reliable pest control in Shoreditch, London?

Get in touch with Mercury Pest Control today on 0208 166 5110 and let us help protect your home or business from unwanted pests

For Shoreditch pest control from Mercury Pest Control, book your free consultation today;

 

📞 Call us now on 0208 166 5110

📧 Or email info@mercurypestcontrol.co.uk

💬 Or send us a message via our website

📍 Based in London, UK proudly serving homes and businesses across the city for over 8 years

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