The Neath & Dulais Valley Pest Resource

1. The Hidden Highway: How Neath's Sewer Systems Let Rats In

After years working as an Ex-Pestokil specialist, I can tell you that most long-term rat problems in Neath — especially around Skewen, Briton Ferry, and Tonna — come from one place most people never think about: the drains. It’s like a hidden motorway that rats use to get straight into your home.

The "Dry Area" Trick Rats Use

I get calls all the time from people in Resolven and Glynneath saying: "My house is spotless — how are rats getting in?" The answer is simple — they’re not coming in through your front door. They’re using old clay pipes (very common in the Neath Valley) that have cracked or shifted over time. Once a rat finds a tiny gap — sometimes just 20mm — it climbs out of the sewer into the soil space around your foundations. From there, it’s easy to get up into your walls, loft, or even under floorboards.

Me doing a high-definition CCTV survey to find exactly where rats are getting in at a Skewen home.

Why Poison Alone Won’t Fix It

If you live in a terrace in Neath Abbey, putting down poison might kill the rats you can see, but it doesn’t solve the problem. The smell and scent trails in the pipes just invite the next lot in. That’s why I always recommend **poison-free permanent proofing**. We install a stainless steel rat blocker — a one-way valve that lets waste out but keeps rats out for good. It’s the only way to really stop the problem coming back.

2. Traditional Mole Catching: Keeping the Dulais Valley Looking Good

If you’ve got a garden or paddock in Crynant, Seven Sisters, Onllwyn, or Banwen, you’ve probably seen those annoying molehills everywhere. Moles are great for the countryside, but they’re a nightmare when they’re ruining your lawn or field.

Getting rid of moles the old-fashioned way in the Dulais Valley.

Why Sonic Repellers and Gas Don’t Work

I see it all the time in Cimla — people spend good money on vibrating stakes or "sonic" repellers from the garden centre. In my experience, moles just move their tunnels a few feet away and carry on. Gassing is another option, but it’s restricted and can harm other wildlife. Neither is reliable.

How Real Trapping Works

I use traditional Duchess and Scissor traps, set deep in the mole’s main run. It takes real know-how to read the soil and tunnels — the heavy clay around Resolven behaves differently from the sandier ground nearer the coast. My method is quiet, chemical-free, and guaranteed to clear the problem properly.

3. Wasp & Hornet Nests: Staying Safe in SA10 & SA11

Come July to September, wasp nests pop up all over Neath — lofts, sheds, cavity walls. A single nest can have 5,000 angry wasps, and if it’s near a door or window in Briton Ferry or Skewen, it can be dangerous, especially for anyone with allergies.

The Right Way to Get Rid of Them

Those DIY sprays from the supermarket usually just annoy the wasps — they don’t reach the heart of the nest. As an RSPH-certified technician, I use professional dust applied under pressure to wipe out the whole colony in hours. And if the nest is still active after 48 hours, I come back free of charge — guaranteed.

4. Keeping Businesses Pest-Free in Neath

From warehouses in Neath Abbey to cafés in town, pest control isn’t optional — it’s the law (Food Safety Act 1990). One rodent or insect sighting can cost you your reputation and a lot of money.

Discreet service for a commercial site in SA10 — no fuss, no mess.

Tailored Plans for Every Business

I don’t do cookie-cutter contracts. Whether you run a big warehouse in Briton Ferry or a small shop in Cimla, I create a plan that fits — regular checks, digital reports, emergency cover. My Ex-Pestokil background means everything meets environmental health standards.

5. Squirrels in Lofts: The Damage You Don’t See Coming

Grey squirrels might look cute, but when they move into a loft in Tonna or Skewen, they can cause real trouble. They’re rodents, so their teeth never stop growing — they chew everything to keep them sharp, including wires, pipes, and joists.

Signs You’ve Got Squirrels

• Scratching noises: They’re active during the day (unlike rats), especially at dawn and dusk.
• Entry points: Usually through fascia boards or from overhanging branches.
• Nests: Big messy dreys made of twigs, leaves, and your insulation.

I handle emergency trapping and exclusion — once they’re out, I proof your roofline so they can’t get back in. It saves you thousands in future repairs.