Black Country pest control firm to be showcased on Channel 5
From cockroach infestations to tackling rodents – a pest control service in the Black Country is set to feature on TV.
Pest Interceptors, based in Stourbridge, will be seen on Channel 5’s Filthy Britain SOS carrying out their day-to-day work.
The businesses was set up by Mark Higgins and Christan Hems, from Kingswinford and Wordsley, with Chris’ pet terrier Pinot helping out.
Mr Higgins said: “We filmed for two days in December and they got the footage and came back to us in January.
“In December we tackled rats, mice, moles and squirrels and they filmed the whole job. We explained how we would go about tackling it – the science behind the pest control and the problems they cause.
“It should be quite interesting because the series deals with fly-tipping and other issues and we’re in a few episodes – at least two.
“In January it was all about cockroaches and bed bugs – there was thousands of cockroaches in the house and they were living with them – and there was bed bugs in their sofa.”
Footage was recorded using cameras as well as Go Pros for an in-depth view of how the pair tackled the issues.
Mark, aged 41, said it was “quite difficult” to get people to agree to be filmed – with the work carried out offered for free. He said: “It was quite difficult to get people to agree to be filmed so we did work for free and spent a lot on advertising as well.
“It was a huge effort and we filmed in people’s houses, in Chris’ home as well, because he had a mouse infestation which is shown in one of the episodes.
“It’s what we deal with on a day to day basis. But Chris has got a bad gag reflex which goes off when I pull a mouse up from the trap.
“We do it everyday and some might be like ‘how do you do that’ but we like it, it’s the job – there’s something new everyday.”
The team has recently expanded after filming was completed – with Chris’ son Ricardo joining them.
The business was approached by a production company on behalf of Channel 5 – a year after they joked about how the channel should do a show on them.
“I said at the time that Channel 5 should come knocking on our door for a TV show,” Mark said.
And a year later – to the day – we received a message from a production company asking whether they could use some of the videos we posted.
“So we cheekily asked whether we could be included and they said ‘yes’.”
Footage was captured in Wordsley, Kinver, Wolverhampton and Birmingham along with other areas.
Their exploits will be showcased when their episode airs on July 26. They will also feature in episode 12 of the show.
