Pest control means dealing with the kinds of animals many of us try our best to avoid. But catching rats and battling cockroaches turns out to be very satisfying work.

My research reveals that this surprising level of job satisfaction comes from the variety, challenge and connection pest controllers experience. They also told me their work had a positive effect on people’s lives.

I discovered this after spending the last few years immersed in the world of professional pest control. I’ve attended trade shows, read industry magazines, interviewed pest controllers and accompanied them on their call outs.

One thing that stood out was the range of pests involved, and the different places in which they appear. Both provide opportunities for pest controllers to engage in problem solving and detective work.

Most pest controllers are generalists who will deal with a wide range of wildlife, from rats and mice to wasps, bedbugs and moths. And every infestation needs a nuanced understanding of animal behaviour.

I was told that pest control work, particularly in people’s homes, requires changing tactics and adaptability. For example, some animals learn to avoid traps or develop resistance to certain chemicals. The unpredictability prevents the work from becoming monotonous and routine.

As one pest controller explained: “There’s no such thing as a [typical] job for a rat or a mouse. They’re always different. Different homes, different scenarios, different entry points. Different motivations, different food sources.”

Another said: “Every day is different [and] they’re all interesting. They all have their moments. Every job is bespoke.”

Pest controllers also tend to experience a relatively large amount of freedom and autonomy over how and when they work, both as sole contractors and as employees of larger companies. Many were also interested in understanding the animals’ biology, habitats and behaviour, and enjoyed engaging with the natural world.

Many expressed a fascination and curiosity towards the species they dealt with, with some highlighting a favourite. And despite the spectre of animal death, I noticed a wide appreciation of nature within the industry.

It’s not all perks, though.

Pest control often means working in unpleasant environments like drains or loft spaces filled with bird excrement. There are also ethical issues, with some pest controllers privately expressing guilt or discomfort when killing certain species.

But generally, pest controllers were compassionate, often choosing methods that, although deadly, would minimise suffering for the creatures involved.

And despite pest control being an important part of public health, the job is often held in low social esteem, with little appreciation for the skills and knowledge the work involves.

As one of my interviewees told me: “You’re seen as a kind of neanderthal, or a knuckle dragger that hits small furry animals with sticks.”

I heard of customers asking technicians to park away from the home they were visiting, to enter via a backdoor, or to use vans without logos, to avoid the public embarrassment of calling in pest control. Some workers experienced open disdain, with customers refusing use of their bathrooms or making derisory comments about their work.

One interviewee from a family business described how his adult son had been checking bait boxes under a sink in a school staff room and heard a teacher commenting: “Cor, imagine, doing that all your life.”

The rat race

And despite the welcome autonomy, a lot of pest control involves working alone, which can lead to isolation and mental health difficulties. However, this was often mitigated by strong friendships across the industry (despite many small business owners technically being in direct competition with each other), and the sense of meaningful social benefit their work provided, particularly when dealing with residential customers.

As one pest controller explained: “I find it so, so rewarding, seeing people going from [so distressed to being] so happy and so grateful.”

Another added: “I love getting to know my customers, having that banter and being able to solve people’s problems and have them put that element of trust in me.”

Some pest controllers also prioritised compassion over profit, informally providing discounts or additional visits for pensioners or poorer customers, enabling them to perform work that was meaningful and rewarding.

But while the industry is very keen to welcome new recruits, pest control is not for everyone. Personally, I would get far too attached to my unintended rodent housemates to even require pest control in the first place. And pest management does raise tricky questions about animal welfare, and the environmental impact of chemicals.

But my research with pest controllers gives an indication of some of the key qualities that make work enjoyable and meaningful.

These include variety, autonomy, connection to others, and the capacity to perform socially beneficial work. And if you can find all of those things in pest control, it looks like the future will be full of opportunity.

Yearsley Swimming Pool’s energy costs are estimated to fall by about 40 per cent following the installation of an 182-kilowatt hour (kWh) solar panel array in March.

Pool manager James Howard said an expected fall in energy costs of up to £30,000 would make a massive difference in ensuring they could operate for the long term.

It comes as large leisure units were forecast to face energy cost hikes of £200,000 by this year compared to prices before shocks after the coronavirus pandemic and Ukraine war.

RECOMMENDED READING:

The estimates, from Cornwall Insight’s Business Energy Cost Forecast, were made in 2024 and do not account for further increases seen following the US-Israeli war on Iran this year.

Yearsley Swimming Pool received cash from the Great British Energy-backed York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayoral Renewables Fund to install the solar panels.

They are expected to save between £25,000 and £30,000 on running costs at the Clifton pool and reduce carbon emissions by around 29 tonnes.

UK swimming pools produce around 2 per cent of the country’s carbon emissions, around 900,000 tonnes a year.

Pool manager Mr Howard said they had already reduced the amount of power they were consuming from the grid by 51 per cent since February.

Newly-installed solar panels of the roof of Yearsley Swimming Pool (Image: Robyn Chowdhury)

The manager said: “We’ve started to see our consumption fall massively.

“April is the first time we’ve seen the bill and we’re looking at a reduction of about 40% on our energy bills.

“Reducing our operating costs will reduce the pool’s loss will make it more viable in the long term and keep it going for years and years into the future.

“We have a great relationship with York Council and we’re both very committed to keeping the facility open.”

Yearsley Baths was York’s first swimming baths when it opened in the 1850s.

The pool as it is known today was called New Yearsley Baths at the time and was gifted to the people of York by Joseph Rowntree in 1908.

It is the only 50-yard (45.7m) Edwardian swimming pool in the north of England.

The pool, in Haley’s Terrace, is currently heated by gas but it historically used steam supplied from the neighbouring Rowntree factory.

The baths were at risk of closure in the 1990s and in 2014.

Campaigners rallied to save it and saw off both of the closure threats.

It is currently operated by GLL Ltd which runs York’s four leisure centres.

England defender Djed Spence will wear a protective face mask against DR Congo in the World Cup round of 32

England defender Djed Spence will once again wear a protective face mask when the Three Lions take on DR Congo in the World Cup round of 32 on Wednesday night.

The Tottenham Hotspur full-back is expected to start at right-back after injuries to several of Thomas Tuchel’s defenders, including Reece James and Jarrell Quansah, with his unusual appearance prompting plenty of questions from supporters during the tournament.

Spence has been forced to wear the mask after suffering a broken jaw following what he described as a “crazy challenge” from Liam Delap during Tottenham’s penultimate Premier League match of last season.

The 25-year-old revealed before the tournament that the injury would take around three months to heal, meaning he has had little choice but to play through the pain.

“It is a little bit uncomfortable – but it is what it is,” Spence said.

“I have a broken jaw so I have to wear it throughout the tournament.

“It is something I will have to get used to. It will be three months until it is fully healed, so it is a long time.

“It was painful, but luckily I play football with my feet and not my jaw so it is all good.

“I have been wearing it in training, getting used to wearing it in the heat, and trying to break it in properly.

“It was a crazy challenge, but it is in the past now. I’ve just got to focus on this tournament now.”

Spence has emerged as an important option for Tuchel after being selected ahead of Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall and Manchester United’s Luke Shaw in England’s World Cup squad.

“It shows the manager believes in me,” the nine-cap international said.

“He believes in my quality and I’m thankful for him.

“I just want to keep on putting in the performances to make everyone happy. It is a huge honour to play for your country, it is a big thing. I’m over the moon and happy to be here.”

Reflecting on a difficult campaign with Tottenham, Spence added: “It has been a difficult season, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

“We managed to get out of a difficult situation, so we have to move forward. Hopefully this World Cup will be a good one.”

England will be hoping to book their place in the last 16 against DR Congo, with a huge tie against hosts Mexico lying in wait.

More than 100 examples passed the legal thresholds for preparing case files to enforce action.

While detection methods have improved, the SMPS said the “data trends show a concerning direction of travel in terms of racially aggravated abuse”.

The Netherlands players who missed penalties in the last-32 shootout defeat to Morocco on Monday all suffered racist abuse.

Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville were subjected to discriminatory, racist and hateful comments on social media, said the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB).

More than six million posts and comments were scanned – an increase of 33% – with 225,000 identified for human review.

Around 1,000 accounts were identified for further investigation and 181,000 hateful comments hidden.

A ‘predatory’ racist who continually tried to pressurise a woman into sex is among the criminals jailed in June

Throughout June, the Cambridgeshire courts saw some criminals who committed heinous crimes put behind bars. Almost halfway through the year and lots of criminals have been sent to prison for a range of crimes.

In June, among those sent to jail include a murderer and rapist. Here are the five worst criminals sent to prison throughout June.

Aaron Diiuorio

Aaron Diiuorio, 35, punched his ex-partner in the face on August 28, 2025, after he accused her of stealing his drugs. She tried to escape, but Diiuorio blocked the door and assaulted her again.

Diiuorio was arrested on September 17, but the victim didn’t support police for this incident.

Advertisement

Diiuoiro was arrested again on December 7 after he turned up at his ex’s home and punched her in the face. She suffered serious facial injuries.

At Peterborough Crown Court on June 8, he was sentenced to two years and five months after pleading guilty to two counts of actual bodily harm.

Fiona Phippen

Fiona Phippen, from Church Close in Great Wilbraham, was driving along the A1, when she crashed into the Foston Services, near Grantham, on June 29, 2024. Phippen crashed into 20-year-old Urwah Tanveer and killed her.

Advertisement

Urwah, who was close to graduating, was standing beside her family’s Mercedes. A court heard that Phippen missed Urwah’s brothers by inches.

The crash also caused multiple fractures to Urwah’s 83-year-old grandmother. At Lincoln Crown Court, she was sentenced to four years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to causing both death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

Lindsey Smith

Lindsey Smith, of Coolidge Gardens, Cottenham, tried to regularly pressurise a woman into sex. On two occasions in December 2024, he ignored the woman’s pleas to stop and raped her.

He was arrested on February 4, 2025 after the victim went to police. Smith initially denied the allegations.

However, he was found guilty of two counts of rape, sending indecent communication and escaping from lawful custody following a trial at Peterborough Crown Court. He was sentenced to six years in prison at Huntingdon Law Court on June 12.

Corey Davis

Corey Davis, 34, punched and kicked a member of the public in a “violent” attack on October 11, 2025. Davis approached the victim outside Peterborough Central Library in Broadway at around 11am on the day.

The 34-year-old asked for a cigarette but when the man said no, Davis launched an unprovoked attack. As a result, the victim lost a tooth, got two loose teeth and bruised his eye.

Advertisement

David, of Eastfield Road, Peterborough, was sentenced to one year and three months in prison after admitting actual bodily harm and stalking involving serious alarm or distress at Cambridge Crown Court on June 16.

Jon Ismaili

Jon Ismaili, 34, was found guilty for the murder of Catalina Birlea at Cambridge Crown Court on June 26. Ismaili, went to the address where Catalina was staying in Chesterton Road on October 2, 2025 and stayed there for two hours.

He left and tried to cover his face from CCTV. A few hours later, Catalina was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead.

A manhunt was set out for Ismaili and he was arrested on October 5. Ismaili was sentenced to life in prison on June 29 with a minimum term of 18 and a half years.

The family of the three-year-old boy injured in a crocodile pit have thanked the zoo staff who rescued him and those who are caring for him in hospital, as they said their “attention remains focused on his recovery” in a statement released through Cambridgeshire Police.

A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst in Cambridgeshire on 18 June.

He was later bailed as police said he was “assessed as not being fit for interview”.

In a statement, which did not name the family and was released through Cambridgeshire Police, they said: “We would like to thank the staff at the zoo who rescued our son from the enclosure.

“We are truly grateful for the public support and well-wishes we have received, as well as to everyone who has been directly involved in our son’s care and recovery in hospital.

“Our attention remains focused on his recovery and supporting him through this extremely challenging and prolonged period of time.”

The force said that the boy remains in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge “in a stable condition and faces a long road to recovery”.

The suspect in the case reportedly has learning difficulties and had been on a trip with carers.

Police said the boy was “injured by a crocodile” after he ended up in the enclosure.

Police were called to the zoo at 1.24pm by the ambulance service to reports that a three-year-old boy had suffered serious injuries.

Cambridgeshire Police said the boy “sustained serious injuries while in the enclosure” and “was pulled out by staff from the zoo”.

Tracey Johnson, the zoo’s co-owner, reportedly jumped into the enclosure to save the child.

Police said the boy “received medical treatment at the scene before being taken to hospital”.

A fundraising page has been set up to support his recovery and rehabilitation, as well as to provide the family with financial stability while they support him in hospital.

A description on the page hails the “extraordinary bravery and quick actions of those nearby” in rescuing the boy.

It said he had undergone “multiple surgeries” and “is now stable, but he faces a long road to recovery”.

“His parents are currently by his side in hospital, supporting him through both immediate and ongoing care physically and psychologically”, the author of the fundraising page continued.

Any remaining funds will be donated to charities and organisations within the Addenbrooke’s Trust that support other families facing similar challenges. You can find the fundraiser through this link.

Subscribe here to get the latest updates from The Independent

Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more

When it comes to makeup, there are a few brands that have cemented themselves as cult classics. Whether it’s for an iconic concealer that banishes undereye bags, a setting spray that is celebrity-approved, or the brand itself is an all-around hero, there are many reasons customers keep going back.

One brand that has shone as a high-street hero for not only their brilliant range of products, but also their affordability is none other than No7.

Following on from their hugely successful and game-changing Prime Forever range that delivers big on the results, their brand new Pro Artist Silk Glaze Skin Tint landed on our desks, so naturally Junior Publisher Sarah Bradbury had to give it a go.

No7 Pro Artist Silk Glaze Skin Tint

No7’s Pro Artist Silk Glaze Skin Tint delivers a lightweight, buildable glow while helping to smooth skin and blur imperfections.

Wear it alone, under foundation or mixed into your base for a radiant, lit-from-within finish.

Buy Now for £17.95

The new launch is available in 12 shades and is the brand’s latest innovation to provide the popular glazed skin trend that has been circulating social media over the past two months. 

The formula is designed to be worn on its own, or layered into your everyday routine. It is packed with ingredients to enhance the skin’s natural glow whilst providing hydration to blur imperfections and smooth the skin’s texture. But does it deliver on expectations?

Sarah said: ‘As someone who prefers a lighter base, especially in summer, No7’s Pro Artist Silk Glaze Skin Tint was just what my skin and I were looking for. The lightweight formula gave my skin a gorgeous lit-from-within glow while helping to blur redness and even out my complexion without feeling heavy.’

‘The coverage is sheer but buildable, and I found I only needed a little concealer on some redness, a couple of breakouts and the dark circles left behind by my kittens waking me up at the crack of dawn. The result was fresh, radiant skin that looked healthy rather than overly made up.’

‘What I love most is that it delivers that glazed-skin finish that’s everywhere right now without making my skin look greasy. Whether you’re after a glowing everyday base or the perfect starting point for a full face of makeup, this is a fantastic option. And for summer, I genuinely can’t recommend it enough.’

Besides their new launch, the brand also has multiple pre-existing foundations that deliver big on results and have gained huge popularity amongst their customers. Deputy Editor, Claie Wilson put the No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum Foundation, £20.95, to the ultimate test.

She said, ‘To really test it out, I wore it on a 53km hike across the sun-kissed Cotswolds hills (it has SPF15, which is great but I’d still love it to be higher if you’re going to be out all day in the sun) and I still looked relatively fresh 12 hours later. I next used it just before I got on a 24+ hour flight to New Zealand, only washing off and reapplying once to successfully help hide my tired, aeroplane-addled skin.’

‘It would take something super special for me to replace my Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint, so when I was asked to try out the Lift & Luminate Triple Action Foundation from No7, I don’t mind admitting I was slightly reluctant.’

‘Unlike the barely there look of my usual go-to from Charlotte Tilbury, No7’s offers more obvious coverage like a traditional foundation – which is not surprising as it vows to ‘instantly conceals fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, pigmentation and uneven texture and tone’ – but it is still pretty subtle and natural looking.’

‘I also loved how the light-reflecting particles helped highlight my cheekbones, and it easily blended in with my 53-year-old skin without sitting in any of the fine lines.’

She continued with, ‘Since then it’s been a handy staple in my makeup bag whenever I felt my skin needed a bit more of an ‘invisible’ boost. So will it completely replace my Charlotte Tilbury? The verdict’s still out – but I’ll definitely be keeping it close by.’

Beauty contributor Scott Da Silva-Wells tried the No7 HydraLuminous Moisturising Foundation, usually retailing for £16.95, but you can currently snap it up for £12.71. It is available in 19 shades and is infused with antioxidants including Mulberry Concentrate, Vitamin A, C and E. But it also has SPF 15 in the formula to provide you with some extra protection from the sun.

Scott said, ‘I think I might have just found one of my new favourite foundations.’

‘First impressions were that the formula was thicker than I anticipated, but along with the vitamins in the formula, the Grapeseed Oil makes a big difference to the texture when applying as it blends effortlessly without leaving any streaks or patches behind. It melts into the skin like butter.’

He continued by saying, ‘When applying, it felt rich, silky and luxurious, yet was lightweight and non-suffocating, making it a brilliant investment for all skin types, including sensitive skin.’

‘The coverage is amazing. It’s quite pigmented so it provides medium coverage, but it’s buildable so you can control how much you want. A little goes a long way, so you only need a small amount if you’re wanting a more subtle cover.’ 

‘I personally prefer it when foundations have a natural, light finish to them rather than being heavy, and the No7 HydraLuminous Moisturising Foundation genuinely delivers on all bases. It almost looks like I’m not wearing anything on my skin.’

He finished with ‘Overall, I’m really surprised by how good it not only looked, but how it felt on my skin, and also how long it lasted without needing any touch-ups. I wore it all day from 9 AM to 10 PM, and it didn’t shift. Even after removing it, my skin felt hydrated and its natural glow brighter. This is definitely becoming a staple in my makeup bag going forward.’

Which one will you give a try?

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Share your views in the comments below

MORE: This bestselling setting spray keeps makeup on for 16 hours – and TikTok is obsessed

MORE: How to do your own wedding makeup, according to professional makeup artists

MORE: SPF reapplication made easy with this Ultrasun Sun Stick SPF50

The Channel 4 series also features stars from The Dark Knight Rises, Coronation Street and The Wire

A ‘gripping’ eight-part thriller series with Tip Toe’s David Morrissey is now streaming for free in the UK.

Released last month, Tip Toe was a major hit for Channel 4 from the creator of It’s A Sin’s Russell T Davies. It launched as the broadcaster’s best new 9pm drama debut since Patience in January 2025.

The five-part series follows Alan Cumming as Leo and Morrissey as Clive, with the pair having lived next door to each other in Manchester for almost 15 years. But just as life should be settling down, the world around them is growing more tense.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

Words become weapons, opinions become radicalised, and gradually, two neighbours become deadly enemies in a tense, suburban thriller which challenges everything we consider to be safe. The series was praised for shining a spotlight on the prejudices which are creeping back into our lives.

Liverpool native Morrissey, 62, became a household name in the UK when he played Gordon Brown in The Deal and Stephen Collins in State of Play, both released in 2003. His most famous role is undoubtedly The Governor in the third and fourth seasons of The Walking Dead.

Recent years have also seen him play CS Ian St Clair in the BBC drama Sherwood and star alongside Eve Myles in the ITV thriller Gone. However, there’s one of Morrissey’s best works that appears to have unfairly gone under the radar.

Premiering on Channel 4 in 2007, Meadlowands, or Cape Wrath if you live in the United States, drew comparisons to Twin Peaks upon its arrival. The psychological thriller follows the Brogan family’s entry into witness protection as they settle into an apparently idyllic suburban neighbourhood.

However, it soon becomes clear that their history threatens to resurface as the neighbourhood slowly becomes tangled in a web of deception, mistrust and menace. It ran for just eight episodes before being cancelled due to low ratings.

Its synopsis reads: “Picturesque and crime-free, Meadowlands appears to be a suburban paradise where the Brogan family can start a new life.

“However, they soon realise that it is not so easy to escape the past, and their haven becomes a world of paranoia and psychological intrigue with shocking surprises around every corner – especially the particularly stunning revelation that they can never leave.”

With Morrissey playing Danny Brogan, the stacked cast features a number of huge stars just before they exploded in popularity. Leading the cast is none other than The Dark Knight Rises’ Tom Hardy as Jack Donnelly.

Also showing off their talents is COBRA’s Lucy Cohu, Coronation Street’s Tristan Gemmill, Casualty’s Melanie Hill, Death in Paradise’s Don Gilet, Blue Lights’ Sian Brooke and The Wire’s Clarke Peters.

For anyone not invested in the ongoing World Cup looking for a perfect weekend watch, Meadowlands is the perfect solution. Just don’t get too attached to it like viewers did in 2007 before its brutal cancelation.

All episodes of Meadowlands will be available to stream on 5 from Thursday, July 2.

Tens of thousands of people faced long waits to buy the first tickets to see the Bayeux Tapestry when it goes on display at the British Museum in September.

The 11th Century embroidery, which depicts the Norman conquest of England in 1066, is being loaned to the UK while its usual home, the Bayeux Museum in Normandy, undergoes a major renovation.

The 70m-long masterpiece will go on display in London for 10 months – the first time the tapestry has been exhibited on British soil.

More than 65,000 people joined in the online queue after the first batch of tickets were released at 10.00 BST on Wednesday.

Some social media users said they had spent hours in the virtual queue only for their request to time out, but others said they had secured tickets successfully.

Before tickets went on sale, the British Museum said it had been “expecting huge demand and interest”.

The museum’s director Dr Nicholas Cullinan told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday that the tapestry’s arrival in the UK was an “incredible event”.

Dr Cullinan said great care would be taken to protect the embroidery during its visit, and that British ticket buyers would have the rare opportunity to see it at its full length.

“It will be laid flat, which is the best way to show it in terms of conservation, but the other thing that’s very exciting is it will be shown in one long line.

“This is the first time in centuries that people will be able to see the entire length of the tapestry.”

The embroidery will be transported in the coming weeks via the Eurotunnel, and will go on display in a specially manufactured glass case.