NEWS
For fast , efficient , personalised and ethical pest control , Kill Line is the go-to company
WORDS : JULIE BURNISTON PICTURE : TOM BANKS
Doing the job right - pest control specialist Sean Mooney of Kill Line .
TAKE CONTROL
P est control is a subject that no one likes discussing until they are in need , but the unsettling fact is that there will always be vermin that could be extremely hazardous to your business .
Stockton-based Kill Line is a company that offers a first-rate service that protects both client and environment .
Unlike many large chains that may have outmoded ways of dealing with pest control , owner Sean Mooney and his team are unique and innovative in their approach , always with one eye on protecting the ecosystem .
“ As a firm , we have a responsibility to do the job right ,” said former farrier Sean .
“ We like to call ourselves the new kids on the ( pest ) block . We are next level . We deal with pests by asking : ‘ Where are they ? Where are they going ? And how are we going to stop them and prevent them from returning ?’
“ We are quick , efficient and , where we possibly can be , kind .”
As well as dealing with the usual wasps , rats , mice , ants and insect infestations , Kill Line specialises in removing birds ’ eggs from buildings due to be demolished and the extraction of pigeons and rabbits – creatures that aren ’ t obvious problems to the man on the street .
“ I would rather deal with a rat infestation than a pigeon one ,” said Sean .
“ Pigeons carry all manner of disease , including E coli and gastroenteritis , and can be a massive problem if not dealt with swiftly .
“ Our last two jobs were for a large restaurant chain which had a dead pigeon on its roof . That may not sound too bad , but the bird had rotted , which had caused maggots to get into the kitchens . If they nest next to air conditioning units then you can be in all sorts of trouble .
“ The need for Kill Line ’ s service in relation to pigeons is bigger than you ’ d think .” Rats are another common problem . “ You can certainly play your part in preventing rats ,” said Sean .
“ Make sure your waste is disposed of properly , empty your bins and don ’ t feed birds with scraps – it ’ s a calling card for rats .”
Having quickly moved on from residential to corporate jobs in the two years since its formation , Kill Line is keen to work for companies that are striving to protect the environment . “ Yes , I have to kill creatures , but it ’ s always my last line of defence ,” said Sean . “ Unlike many other companies , we try not to use rodenticide and we strive always to be eco-friendly .
“ One hundred per cent of birds of prey have rodenticide in their bodies because they have eaten infected rats , mice or other rodents , and that ’ s not acceptable .
“ With rats , for example , we are doing a lot to reduce the amount of rodenticide that goes into the environment by using electronic traps instead of traditional ones .
“ It ’ s the same with rabbits . We have just removed rabbits from a rugby pitch . The club obviously didn ’ t want them there but weren ’ t prepared to kill them , so we developed a solution which takes them away alive and ensures they won ’ t return for up to 20 years .”
This site-specific service , thinking of animal welfare and having compassion and respect for the environment , is what is giving Kill Line such a glowing reputation , and which is fulfilling a lifetime ’ s ambition for Sean .
“ It was like joining the dots ,” he explained .
“ It may sound strange , but I have an absolute passion for my job and I ’ m proud of the skills myself and my team offer .”
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