Advice
A Seasonal Pest Guide for Devon Homes
Pests follow the seasons, and knowing what to expect in each part of the year helps Devon householders spot problems early and act at the right time.
Read the guide →Our first visit is about working out exactly what you are dealing with. Once we know the pest and how it is getting in, we explain it in plain language and agree the plan with you before anything is done. There is no pressure and no jargon, only a clear explanation of the options.
Older buildings, hidden gaps
Totnes has a historic centre with many older buildings, and that matters for pests. Old walls, timber, loose pointing and small gaps around pipes or floorboards give mice and rats easy routes inside, and voids behind shopfronts and in roof spaces make good hiding places that are hard to spot from the inside.
Wasps also like quiet voids such as lofts, eaves and wall cavities, and a nest that starts small in spring can be very busy by late summer. We look in the places a householder rarely sees, and we tell you what we find honestly, including when the problem is minor. In Totnes this is common, and it is rarely anyone's fault.
Shops, cafes and food businesses
With independent shops, cafes and food outlets in and around the centre, commercial customers need a pest problem dealt with quietly and properly. Food, waste and deliveries attract rodents, flies, ants and cockroaches, and a single sighting can worry staff and customers alike. A tidy yard and a well-sealed bin store in Totnes go a long way, and we will say what applies to your premises.
We can inspect your premises, treat what we find and suggest simple changes to storage, waste handling and proofing that reduce the chance of a repeat. We work around how your business runs, and we keep the advice practical so your team can follow it day to day. We leave a clear note of what we found and what we did, which is useful for your own records and for any food safety checks.
Covering Totnes and the surrounding area
We cover Totnes and the TQ9 postcode area, as well as the rural homes that surround the town, where farm buildings, outbuildings and gardens bring their own wildlife pressures. We also cover Dartmouth and Newton Abbot nearby. Whatever the pest, the approach is the same: identify it, explain it, agree the plan and carry it out carefully. Rural properties often have several buildings to check, and we go through each one with you so nothing is missed.
Frequently asked questions
Can you deal with mice in an older Totnes property?
Yes. Older buildings often have small gaps and voids that mice use. We trace where they are getting in, treat the problem and advise on sealing and tidying so they are less likely to return. We will explain what we find before we begin.
Do you treat cafes and shops in Totnes town centre?
We do. We inspect the premises, deal with the pest and give practical advice on food storage, waste and proofing. We can arrange visits to suit how your business trades, so disruption stays as low as we can make it.
How do I know which pest I have?
Droppings, noises, bites, gnawed material and the time of year all give clues. Our first visit confirms the pest, because treating the wrong one wastes time. We then explain the problem and agree the plan with you.