Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Lee Burbidge on May 20, 2016, 07:51:49 am

Title: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: Lee Burbidge on May 20, 2016, 07:51:49 am
We are lucky in the UK that 'Zombie' Raccoons, Black Widow Spiders, Rattlesnakes and Alligators do not get in the way of window cleaning. But for some window cleaners, it is a very real danger.
Whilst you are checking that out here: http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=202768.0 What fights with nature do UK window cleaners have....?

I can say, dogs is a big one, stepping in animal poop, getting your fingers bit off as you put your slip through the door, bees and wasps is a biggy!!! Especially if there is a nest.
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: Tosh on May 20, 2016, 07:56:01 am
Scorpions. Yellow tailed scorpions.
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: dazmond on May 20, 2016, 08:26:11 am
boring customers that follow you around their property and insist on telling you about their first world problems (without any humour).shoot em i say. ;D
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: Lee Burbidge on May 20, 2016, 08:29:12 am
Scorpions. Yellow tailed scorpions.

Yes, of course a good one, not fatal, but they look scary, mostly found in the south dock areas, thought to of been brought in on ships from Italy, I read. They reckon there is around 15000 in the UK.
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: Lee Burbidge on May 20, 2016, 08:29:52 am
boring customers that follow you around their property and insist on telling you about their first world problems (without any humour).shoot em i say. ;D
Or the creepy ones that just say nothing at all lol
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: Lee Burbidge on May 20, 2016, 08:31:43 am
Also, I was thinking that plants can be a problem too.... I have lost count how many times I have had been injured by rose bushes, for example. Is there any other plants that can 'attack' lol
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: Tosh on May 20, 2016, 09:13:31 am
This thorny little demon

(http://www.findmeplants.co.uk/picsinfull/rubus_cockberianus.jpg)

Although I'd say it's name is far worse than the wound it can inflict, its Latin name is Rubus Cockburnianus.
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: richard groves on May 20, 2016, 09:34:12 am
You say that but yesterday whilst cleaning in someones back garden their two tortoises  gave chase, damn they can move quick when they want to .
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: andyM on May 20, 2016, 12:38:44 pm
Yucca plants.
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: G Griffin on May 20, 2016, 08:27:48 pm
You say that but yesterday whilst cleaning in someones back garden their two tortoises  gave chase, damn they can move quick when they want to .
Scary stuff.
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: duncan h on May 20, 2016, 09:17:19 pm
boring customers that follow you around their property and insist on telling you about their first world problems (without any humour).shoot em i say. ;D
Or the creepy ones that just say nothing at all lol
I know the type. Odd balls. Jehovah witness :)
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: paulben on May 24, 2016, 06:27:16 am
Noticed when turned pc on that some people have been licenced to keep Wolves, Alligators ,venomous snakes including COBRA,S that's all we want when trying to clear a blocked downpipe only to find your poking a cobra that's escaped .
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: chris turner on May 24, 2016, 07:22:49 am
Horse flies!
Little buggers bit me twice last year, both bites swelled up to golf ball size and took weeks to heal.
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: lal on May 24, 2016, 07:54:22 am

 I was cleaning the windows on a large house yesterday, and was getting bitten to f$$k by a swarm of midges, worst
 I've ever experienced, going to the chemist today to buy some protective spray.
 
 Lal
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: Lee Burbidge on May 24, 2016, 09:29:54 am

 I was cleaning the windows on a large house yesterday, and was getting bitten to f$$k by a swarm of midges, worst
 I've ever experienced, going to the chemist today to buy some protective spray.
 
 Lal

Wasps were a problem this day https://youtu.be/mVqp6AyTQMQ
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: Ian Lancaster on May 24, 2016, 11:31:31 am
Sometime after my accident (see 'Newbies') I was back on the tools.  I had a bungalow that was built into a hillside so the front was out of reach from the ground.  I needed a short pointer but there was a  bush right in front of the window that made it awkward.  I set the point in the bush and climbed up three rungs to where I could reach.  Unknown to me there was a wasp nest hanging from a branch in the bush.  As I put my foot on the third rung, I kicked it :o

There was an almighty buzzing and the whole nest of wasps rose up round me like a black cloud.  Now I can't jump or run, but I threw myself off the pointer and hobbled down the garden path as fast as I could, swab in one hand, scrim in the other, beating myself over the head with both hands and screaming like a banshee.

The locals still talk about it thirty odd years later ;D
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: H MAN on May 24, 2016, 12:12:21 pm
Here in Australia we have some of the most poisonous  snakes and spiders in the world. :o
So you always watch out when cleaning the windows.  ;)
Spiders on the insect screens.
Some places work at a house in the bush we have  keep a look out for snakes.  :o
But sometimes you have problems with the customers pets as seen here in the video.  ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouEWLFNLLos

Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: Dave Willis on May 24, 2016, 05:48:49 pm
Stung by bees mostly. Have you seen the price of honey?  :o
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: Soupy on May 24, 2016, 05:54:28 pm
Stung by bees mostly. Have you seen the price of honey?  :o

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1464108789_shaking-no-smiley-emoticon.gif)
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: M & C Window Cleaning on May 24, 2016, 06:24:34 pm
I  had a nasty reaction to something like hogweed when tradding many years ago. Leaned into it when cleaning downstairs windows and only wearing shorts on my legs. My legs felt like they had been burned with hot irons. Came up in blisters. Took a couple of weeks to heal as I recall. Very painful! Also been bitten by numerous dogs over the years. Four in one day on one occasion. Also bitten by red ants on certain very tender parts after again I leaned into a shrub to get to a window when wearing shorts. Very nasty! Needless to say I don't wear shorts when working anymore.
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: colin bird on May 24, 2016, 09:19:08 pm
boring customers that follow you around their property and insist on telling you about their first world problems (without any humour).shoot em i say. ;D

Totally agree mate
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: Smurf on May 24, 2016, 10:01:53 pm
I was trying to find this vid  ;D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyBuiku10HU
Title: Re: Window Cleaners under attack by nature
Post by: rosskesava on May 24, 2016, 11:41:24 pm
I was trying to find this vid  ;D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyBuiku10HU

 ;D

I had exactly the same a few years ago. Everytime I went into the garden, the tortoise would make a b line for me and go for my boots and I was surprised how fast they can move if they really want to.

It once bit clean through the hose. I didn't realise how strong those nashers are.