A giant wasps nest, a home with more than 200 rats and beg bug plagues are just some of the stories from a pest exterminator of 27 years.

In 1997, Sean Whelan, 59, took a major risk when he ditched his job working for a global pest control firm to open his own company.

Leaving the firm could have left Sean penniless, but after sticking to his guns and going full steam ahead with his business plan, he fondly remembered earing £17,000 in just three weeks after starting up.

Sean is now the owner of what he describes as the leading pest control firm working in Southampton – HPC247 Whelan Pest Control.

The company has an office in Segensworth and nine members of staff – most of which are out dealing with pests in Southampton on a day to day basis.

Sean WhelanSean Whelan (Image: NQ) The 59-year old pest control expert has now revealed some of the tales he has experienced dealing with rats, pigeons, wasps and bedbugs in and around the city.

Sean said: “I will never forget the time we removed a ginormous wasp nest from the roof loft of a pub in Totton.

“It happened about 14-years back and measured six foot three inches high and five foot three inches across.”

The wasp nest in questionThe wasp nest in question (Image: UGC)

READ MORE: Massive wasp nest found in Southampton pub's loft

The wasp nest was so large it was the size of a double bed mattress and was home to up to half a million wasps.

Sean continued: “We had a researcher from the University of Southampton come out and I remember the look on his face when he saw it – he said it was the biggest I have ever seen.

“Another one we have had to deal with is hoarders – people can be in a terrible place in terms of their metal health and another part of our job is to try and offer some friendly advice and counsel to those in that position.

“Pests can destroy people’s homes and lives – We are here to support them with that.”

“One house was so full of rubbish it took us a month to clear out and was also home to more than 200 rats.”

Sean and his wife Caroline were awarded the Fareham Covid Hero Awards by Fareham Borough Council in 2021 for their commitment to the community.

Sean added: “Just doing shop runs or prescription collections for elderly and vulnerable customers was our way of supporting our community – it made me very proud.”