These are exciting, some might say dangerous, times to be in pest control.

Invasive species, such as the Asian hornet and Bryant's fox squirrel, are threatening our indigenous wildlife  like never before.  Here in the River Coln we have the red signal crayfish swarming in the crystal waters and there's talk that the mink have returned up river at Fossebridge.  Fortunately, they have not ventured here yet as we still have our little friends the water vole appearing frequently.

This is not specifically a British problem, but one that affects the whole of Europe.  I read in the British Pest Control Association journal that the European Commission have taken an integrated and proactive approach to the invasive threat that requires member states to put in surveillance and rapid response mechanisms.  Let's hope Brexit doesn't make us more vulnerable in this context.

It's interesting to remember though that many of our 'everyday' pests are actually non-native.  The brown rat came over in the 16th Century and originates from the Russian Steppes, the house mouse is originally from China and hitched a ride to Europe with very early traders, and the rabbit, indigenous to North Africa, was introduced to these shores by the Normans.  The history of the grey squirrel, and its affect on our red squirrel, is well documented and the depradations of the North American mink have already been alluded to.

www.arlingtonpestcontrol.co.uk