Latest news with #NiallGallagher
Scotsman
01-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Call a professional if pigeons are a problem, says BPCA
Call a professional if pigeons are a problem The breeding season for feral pigeons is well underway – and while the birds can become a problem around homes and businesses, it is essential anyone experiencing issues get in touch with a professional, say experts at British Pest Control Association (BPCA). Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Pigeons – like all wild birds, their nests and eggs – are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which means anyone who disturbs them and who is not operating under an appropriate licence, may face prosecution. In certain circumstances, management and control techniques may be required, but anyone concerned about pigeons should always seek advice from a BPCA member who specialises in bird control. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Niall Gallagher is Technical Manager at BPCA. He said: 'The breeding season for pigeons is between March and September. 'In that time, they can have up to seven broods, with two or three eggs in each. With enough food, young pigeons become independent adults in just 30 days and more eggs can be hatched before the young have even left the nest, which means a population can grow rapidly. [1] 'If pigeons are becoming a problem around a home or business, it is vital that advice is sought from a BPCA member or appropriate professional. Interfering with a wild bird, their nest or eggs is illegal, so do not consider any form of DIY pest control.' Pigeons can reportedly carry around 110 pathogens, and can spread disease to humans, as well as potentially causing secondary infestations of mites, ticks, fleas and beetles that live on their bodies and in their nests. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Niall added: 'Pigeon droppings are a public health risk and, in some circumstances, a potential slip hazard, once dry, pigeon droppings can become airborne in small particles, which can lead to respiratory complaints. 'The most effective way to deter pigeons from a particular site is to remove food sources. Bins should be kept securely closed, ensure the area is free of litter and debris and clear up any spills. 'Regularly flying a bird of prey in the area can be useful, but if pigeons are becoming a cause for concern, seek advice from a BPCA member.' BPCA member businesses are endorsed by the Government via the TrustMark quality scheme as they must carry the correct insurances and are trained and qualified technicians who are assessed to the British Standard in pest management EN 16636 and follow BPCA's Codes of Best Practice. To find a BPCA member visit:
Scotsman
01-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Call a professional if pigeons are a problem, says BPCA
Call a professional if pigeons are a problem The breeding season for feral pigeons is well underway – and while the birds can become a problem around homes and businesses, it is essential anyone experiencing issues get in touch with a professional, say experts at British Pest Control Association (BPCA). Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Pigeons – like all wild birds, their nests and eggs – are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which means anyone who disturbs them and who is not operating under an appropriate licence, may face prosecution. In certain circumstances, management and control techniques may be required, but anyone concerned about pigeons should always seek advice from a BPCA member who specialises in bird control. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Niall Gallagher is Technical Manager at BPCA. He said: 'The breeding season for pigeons is between March and September. 'In that time, they can have up to seven broods, with two or three eggs in each. With enough food, young pigeons become independent adults in just 30 days and more eggs can be hatched before the young have even left the nest, which means a population can grow rapidly. [1] 'If pigeons are becoming a problem around a home or business, it is vital that advice is sought from a BPCA member or appropriate professional. Interfering with a wild bird, their nest or eggs is illegal, so do not consider any form of DIY pest control.' Pigeons can reportedly carry around 110 pathogens, and can spread disease to humans, as well as potentially causing secondary infestations of mites, ticks, fleas and beetles that live on their bodies and in their nests. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Niall added: 'Pigeon droppings are a public health risk and, in some circumstances, a potential slip hazard, once dry, pigeon droppings can become airborne in small particles, which can lead to respiratory complaints. 'The most effective way to deter pigeons from a particular site is to remove food sources. Bins should be kept securely closed, ensure the area is free of litter and debris and clear up any spills. 'Regularly flying a bird of prey in the area can be useful, but if pigeons are becoming a cause for concern, seek advice from a BPCA member.' BPCA member businesses are endorsed by the Government via the TrustMark quality scheme as they must carry the correct insurances and are trained and qualified technicians who are assessed to the British Standard in pest management EN 16636 and follow BPCA's Codes of Best Practice.
Wales Online
25-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Warning to all UK households as flying ants set to hit
Warning to all UK households as flying ants set to hit People are being warned to 'keep a close eye' Flying ant season isn't necessarily a cause for concern (Image: BCPA ) Ants will take wing to mate for a short period of time in July or August – known as flying ant season. However, swarms of flying ants are not something householders should be alarmed about, say experts at British Pest Control Association. But they warn you should ensure they don't get inside. Young queens will emerge from the nest and take flight in a bid to mate with males from other colonies. Niall Gallagher, technical manager at BPCA said: 'It's not entirely true that ants only fly for one day each year, but the mating season does tend to be just a few days in July or August. 'Mating takes place in the air during the swarming nuptial flight, but the ants will disappear within a few hours and are best left alone.' Male ants will die shortly after mating, while the queens will chew off their wings and find a nest site where she will stay for the winter. Niall added: 'Flying ant season isn't necessarily a cause for concern. However, if you have ants in your garden or near to your home, it is sensible to keep a close eye on them and make sure they don't make their way indoors. 'They are highly organised social insects that are attracted to sweet foodstuffs and may invade buildings in search of food. Article continues below 'The most common ant in the UK is the black garden ant (Lasius niger). But in large centrally heated buildings such as apartment blocks, tropical species such as Pharaoh's ants and Ghost ants can become a problem and should always be dealt with by a BPCA member as they're much more difficult to control.' Flying ants entering households typically do so through open windows and doors, or cracks in walls and roofs, seeking food and water. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here They are attracted to homes for the same reasons as regular ants as it is a readily available food source and a place to nest. While they may be a nuisance, they are generally harmless and often a sign of a nearby ant colon. They are often drawn to light sources, which can lead them into homes through open windows and doors. BPCA members are trained, experienced professionals with access to a range of specialist products not available to the public. They are trained, qualified and regularly assessed to the British Standard in Pest Management BS EN 16636. Article continues below BPCA members are also endorsed by the Government via the TrustMark quality scheme. To find a BPCA member, you can visit the website here.
South Wales Argus
12-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
People in Wales urged to protect honey bees this summer
The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is supporting the British Beekeepers Association's (BBKA) Swarm Savers campaign, which calls on the public to help rehome bee swarms that appear in gardens and public spaces during the spring. Niall Gallagher, technical manager at BPCA, said: "Swarm Savers is an initiative in which thousands of trained beekeepers across the country are on standby to safely rescue and rehome honey bee swarms." Without intervention, up to 80 per cent of swarms are unlikely to survive. The BPCA says that bee swarms are often mistaken for wasp infestations, leading to unnecessary pest control callouts. Mr Gallagher said: "Bees are a vital part of our ecosystem, but sometimes a swarm of honey bees can be mistaken for a wasp infestation, resulting in a call to a BPCA member." Diane Drinkwater, chair of the BBKA, said: "There's something truly magical about witnessing a honey bee swarm. "It's how a colony reproduces; a natural marvel where thousands of bees work together to protect their queen and find a new home. "But without help, many never make it."
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Mega-colonies of 'SUPER ANTS' are storming through Europe, wiping out power supplies and even roads - and experts warn they're headed for the UK
Brits should be on the lookout for an invasive 'super ant' that's storming through Europe, experts warn The species, called Tapinoma magnum, is native to the Mediterranean region – but has swiftly moved further north into France, Germany and Switzerland. The pest tunnels under roads and bites through electric cables, causing power cuts, internet outages, and thousands of pounds in damage. Anyone who squashes a T. magnum ant is greeted by the stench of rancid butter, the Sun reports. So far, there have been no verified records of T. magnum in the UK – but experts say the species could potentially cross the English channel. 'There's always some risk with species like this,' Niall Gallagher, technical manager at British Pest Control Association (BPCA), told MailOnline. 'Like any invasive species, if T. magnum were to establish here, it could become a nuisance. 'They form vast supercolonies, displace native species and can even cause structural issues by excavating under paving.' T. magnum is native to north African and Mediterranean countries, including Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Spain and Italy. But in the last few years the species has reached further northwards into France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. According to Mr Gallagher at the BPCA, the ants spread north mainly through horticultural imports – especially potted plants and trees from the Mediterranean. They have 'remarkable cold tolerance', surviving harsh German winters, and can thrive in disturbed, urban environments – such as patios, pavements and garden centres. Worryingly, T. magnum forms 'supercolonies' of 20 million ants across 60 acres due to a 'tireless determination to expand', the Sun reports. When two colonies encounter one another, they merge together 'in alliance' rather than attacking – gradually forming one massive colony with multiple queens. They build their nests in the ground and as a result displace the earth beneath tarmac – causing roads and pavements to sink. In the German city of Kehl, the supercolonies led to disruptions to power and internet connections as the insects bit through electric cables. How to spot Tapinoma magnum T. magnum look similar to the black garden ant (Lasius niger) but the invasive species is identified by its distinctive procession behaviour. These ants form conspicuous trails across pavements and up buildings, often in large, coordinated lines. To the untrained eye, this may look like a very active colony of common ants - but the sheer volume and organised movement can be a telltale sign of T. magnum. A Kehl playground had to close last summer because the Tapinoma ants had completely tunneled under the entire area, SRF reports. Meanwhile, in Switzerland, where the species was first discovered in 2018, T. magnum has caused a 'plague' of the beasts in Zurich. In the nearby Oetwil an der Limmat region, one supercolony infested a potato field the size of about seven football pitches. A local, Agnes Wirth, told SRF: 'There were so many ants, you couldn't see the floor anymore.' T. magnum are black in colour, measure an average of 3 mm (0.1-inch), and look very similar to the black garden ant (Lasius niger), according to the BPCA. Although even experts may struggle to tell the two species apart on appearance alone, T. magnum can be discerned by a distinctive 'procession' behaviour. A colony of the invasive ants forms conspicuous trails across pavements and up buildings, often in large, coordinated lines. To the untrained eye, this may look like a very active colony of black garden ant, but the sheer volume and organised movement can be a telltale sign of T. magnum. If the species were to establish in the UK, pest professionals would likely rely on a combination of bait gels (such as indoxacarb or imidacloprid) and surface treatments, as successfully done in Zurich. 'Individual efforts by homeowners and gardeners can't control an infestation,' said Mr Gallagher. 'Specifically tailored pest control solutions are needed to eradicate a colony.' Although spread mainly through imported plants, climate change may also be playing a role in helping the ants survive further north than previously possible. Warmer winters and longer summers in the UK could make colonisation here more likely, just like with several 'alien' species. 'Tapinoma magnum has profound impacts on local communities,' said Ricardo Pereira, biologist at the Natural History Museum Stuttgart. 'With progressive global warming and a warmer spring, more alien species will follow.'
