Highland Pest Control provides competitive and qualified Pest Control to Inverness and the surrounding areas
Cooler and less settled summer temperatures have reduced the level of general insect activity across the Highlands this year, particularly for flying insects that are usually more active during prolonged warm, dry spells. However, strong visitor numbers and regular movement through hotels, holiday lets, ferries, campsites and private accommodation have contributed to an increase in bedbug callouts. Bedbugs are efficient hitchhikers and are commonly introduced in luggage, clothing and soft furnishings before moving into harbourage points such as mattress seams, bed frames, skirting boards, headboards and nearby furniture joints. Effective treatment normally requires a structured inspection followed by an integrated approach using steam, targeted residual insecticide application, monitoring and follow-up visits, as isolated spraying alone is often unreliable where eggs, hidden harbourages or insecticide resistance are present. At the same time, rat and mouse activity remains consistently high in urban areas, especially where drainage defects, waste storage, food sources and small structural gaps provide access and harbourage. Long-term rodent control therefore depends on survey work, proofing, hygiene improvements and monitoring as well as trapping or baiting where appropriate; mice can exploit very small gaps, while rats often use drains, pipe routes, wall cavities and damaged building fabric to move between harbourage and feeding areas.
Wasp Nest Removal
Although wasp activity has been lower this year, we have still received a steady number of callouts each week, particularly for nests in roof spaces, wall cavities, sheds and garden areas. In the UK, common wasps and German wasps usually build annual colonies that start with a single queen in spring and can grow rapidly through summer, sometimes reaching several thousand workers by late July or August. Mature nests become more noticeable as worker wasps increase their foraging and defensive behaviour, and a disturbed nest can release alarm signals that trigger multiple wasps to sting. Professional treatment normally involves locating the main flight line and applying an approved insecticidal dust or liquid to the nest entrance so returning workers carry it through the colony.
Solar Panel Work
Pigeon proofing mesh has been fitted to several solar panel systems over the past two months. This work is usually carried out to prevent pigeons from nesting beneath the panels, where their noise can disturb homeowners and their droppings can build up around the property, block drainpipes and create ongoing maintenance issues. Bird droppings can also present a hygiene risk, as dried guano may release contaminated dust when disturbed and has been associated with illnesses such as psittacosis, salmonella infection, histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis, particularly where heavy contamination is present or cleaning is carried out without suitable controls.
Moles
Most mole activity occurred earlier in the year, although we still receive occasional callouts in July and August. Moles remain active all year and do not hibernate, but during dry summer spells earthworms and other soil invertebrates often move deeper into the ground, causing moles to rely more on deeper permanent tunnel systems rather than fresh surface runs. This can make molehills less frequent but control work more difficult, as hard, compacted ground is harder to open cleanly and traps must be set accurately in active runs. In late summer, activity can also vary after rainfall, when soil softens and feeding tunnels may become more obvious again.
Clothes Moths
We usually deal with around one moth job each month, and most are linked to clothes moths and their larvae. The adult moths do not cause the main damage; it is the larvae that feed on keratin, the protein found in natural fibres such as wool, cashmere, silk, fur, feathers, felt, wool carpets and some upholstery. Damage often appears as irregular holes in clothing, thinning or bald patches in carpets, loose fibres, silk webbing, small cases, cocoons or gritty frass. Larvae prefer dark, quiet and undisturbed areas such as wardrobes, drawers, carpet edges, beneath furniture and stored textiles, so infestations can go unnoticed until the damage has spread. Our treatment usually combines fogging with a targeted residual spray, supported by advice on thorough vacuuming, laundering or isolating affected fabrics, and regular monitoring to help break the life cycle.
Bedbugs
We have received numerous bedbug callouts across the Highlands, from Uig to Fort William. This reflects a wider UK trend: local authority figures reported a 23% rise in bedbug callouts in 2023, increasing from 11,819 visits in 2022 to 14,587 in 2023, while industry data has reported further increases in confirmed bedbug activity during 2024 and beyond. Growing travel, short-stay accommodation, luggage movement and second-hand furniture can all help bedbugs spread between properties. Bedbugs are often carried into homes, hotels and holiday lets in suitcases, clothing and personal belongings, then hide in mattress seams, bed frames, skirting boards and furniture joints. Effective control usually requires a detailed inspection, steam treatment, targeted insecticide application, monitoring and follow-up visits to deal with hidden insects, eggs and possible repeat introductions.
When to get professional help?
You should consider the potential cost financially to your Business and your Brand should you experience a Pest Infestation
So, if you feel that it’s a task you cannot or do not want to undertake call Highland Pest Control for an obligation free quote