Homes & Gardens

The Most Common December Pests and How to Stop Them?

When temperatures drop and winter sets in, many pests begin searching for warm places to hide. Unfortunately, that often means moving into homes, garages and workplaces. December might feel too cold for insects and rodents to be active, but it’s one of the busiest times of the year for pest control callouts. Understanding which pests are most common at this time of year, and knowing how to deal with them, can help protect your home and stop infestations before they become serious. This guide explains the top December pests, why they appear, and the steps you can take to prevent them....

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Autumn colour is a blaze at Killerton

Killerton garden near Exeter is a blaze with autumn colour from deep burgundies, brazen coppers to fiery yellow hues.

As part of the estate’s Victorian plant-hunting legacy, the garden showcases a variety of shrubs, trees and plants that produce colour through the seasons. Non-native plant species, from common Acers to Japanese Pagoda and Tibetan Cherry varieties, look particularly bright and colourful at this time of year; and visitors particularly enjoy the Mahonias and delicate, butter-yellow Tulip trees.

Head Gardener Kate Tuke said: "There’s such vibrancy so late in...

Transform the way you heat your home

Energy bills are spiralling and people are feeling the pinch, especially with boilers being fired up for winter. Fortunately energy-conscious homeowners will get the chance to learn how to make a massive impact on fuel bills, by switching to a renewable heating system. On Saturday 2 November, Plumb Center’s Exeter Sowton branch will open its doors to anyone who’s interested in seeing renewables in action, and learning about the government funding that makes installations more affordable than ever. Homeowners will also have the chance to meet qualified local installers, and see the products...

Pinhoe family find balance at Redrow development

Families in the Pinhoe area of Exeter are settling into a relaxed lifestyle at Redrow’s new housing development. The Harringtons balances access to the city centre with the space and safety parents want from family living. One such family is the Nickells, who have found the peaceful location and spacious living they were hoping for in Redrow’s four-bedroom Canterbury property.

Local couple Charlotte and Adam Nickells, along with their five-year-old daughter Daisy, made the short move from Pinhoe Road to The Harringtons in August. Charlotte Nickells explains: “We were living in a...

Housebuilding continues to pick-up across the South West

Housebuilding in the South West is continuing to rebound with chartered surveyors across the region reporting growth, says the latest RICS construction market survey.

During the third quarter of the year, the region’s surveyors reported rises in privately-funded housing projects. Furthermore, on a national level, this is the first time that every part of the country has reported growth since the beginning of the market crash six years ago and demonstrates that the long-awaited upturn in numbers of new homes may finally be underway.

Additionally, the overall construction...

Is your thatched roof safe for winter?

Devon & Somerset are areas of outstanding beauty and also home to over 80% of thatched properties within the UK, which naturally contributes to the charm of the two counties.

However, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service are concerned that owners of thatched properties take steps to reduce the chance of an emergency relating to fire occurring. Fire in thatch is not an inevitable occurrence but it is an organic material, subject to different behaviour patterns depending on its surroundings, treatments and choice of materials or styles. It has a finite life span,...

South West house prices rise by 2.6% as figures hit UK record high

House prices in the South West rose by an average of 2.6% in the year to August 2013 according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The average price of a house or flat in the region now stands at £230,000.

The 2.6% rise is lower than the overall UK figure of 3.8% and the 4.1% for England which are both skewed by a considerable rise in London of 8.7%. The South West figure shows the fourth highest regional rise in the UK, behind only London, the East Midlands and West Midlands.

House prices across the whole of the UK reached a new record...

South West house sales hit highest level in over five years

The number of homes sold in the South West is at the highest level since February 2008 as the housing market recovery continues to gather pace, says the September RICS Residential Market Survey.

The average amount of properties sold per chartered surveyor in the three months to September reached 19*. Although still historically low, this figure is higher than the UK as a whole and demonstrates the extent to which the market is now picking up in the region.

In tandem with increasing numbers of sales, prices continued to grow in the South West with 46 percent more respondents...

Rural Solutions continues expansion into the South West

Rob Jones-Davies, a specialist in sourcing country houses and estates for discerning customers looking for a home in the country, has been appointed by nationwide planning and development specialists Rural Solutions.

With an extensive knowledge of rural properties across the South of England and the North East from where he originates, Rob Jones-Davies joins the business as a director. Given his widespread understanding and network he has been appointed to expand Rural Solutions' reach across the South, with specific focus upon the South West.

Rob Jones-Davies, having...

Sidmouth and Exmouth fly the flag with pride

Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth and Manor Gardens in Exmouth are still among the best in the country – and that’s official!

Both have again received the prestigious Green Flag Award, a sign to visitors that the park is a well-maintained and well-managed high quality green space, with excellent facilities. It’s the tenth year in a row for Sidmouth, while Exmouth has now won the award nine times consecutively.

The gardens are among a record number of parks and green spaces receiving the Green Flag Award this year, ensuring that even more of us now have access to well-managed,...

Tenants produce colourful displays - with plenty of gold

Tenants of East Devon District Council have again excelled themselves with a beautiful display of gardens large and small, leading to another highly successful garden competition, with a total of 41 entries.

This included two entrants for the Youth Garden, both of whom were Gold winners.

Kieron Bewes (Horticultural Consultant) was the judge and using the Royal Horticultural Society judging method once again, a number of entrants obtained the Gold level.

The Tenants’ Garden Competition is an annual event organised by Tenant Participation within the Housing Service at...

Homes & Gardens

The Most Common December Pests and How to Stop Them?

Autumn colour is a blaze at Killerton

Transform the way you heat your home

Pinhoe family find balance at Redrow development

Housebuilding continues to pick-up across the South West

Is your thatched roof safe for winter?

South West house prices rise by 2.6% as figures hit UK record high

South West house sales hit highest level in over five years

Rural Solutions continues expansion into the South West

Sidmouth and Exmouth fly the flag with pride

Tenants produce colourful displays - with plenty of gold

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