Pest Control Service
This page summarises the pest control service. It explains that the service offers treatments for certain pests and advice for others and it identifies the most common animals that we treat for.
The aim of this service is to control animal pests in the borough so as not to present any risk to health and safety.
We charge for many of our pest control services. Click on frequently asked questions for current charges.
To carry out this service, we do the following:
- Carry out treatments and disinfections to deal with specified rodent and insect pests, on request from residents and businesses in the borough.
- Advise on the control of a range of other species, where we do not offer a treatment service.
- Promote responsible use of poisons and insecticides.
- Deal with accumulations of rubbish or any other matter that would encourage the presence of pest animals.
If you would like to know more about our pest control service, please contact us.
Treatments to control pest animals and insects
The most common pest animals that we will treat are rats and mice, and insects like fleas and cockroaches.
We may also treat wasps nests, although this will depend on exactly where the nest is situated and whether a treatment can be carried out safely.
In addition to treatments, we offer advice about a wide range of animals, birds and insects.
We do not offer a treatment for bees but see frequently asked questions for more information.
Please contact Environmental Health if you require a pest control service.
Frequently Asked Questions (2)
The standard full price for a treatment is £45.00. However some half price and free treatments are available. The full list for domestic premises is:
Rats - Free
Mice
In the house – free
Outside or in an outside building - £45.00
Insects (wasp nests, fleas, cockroaches and bed bugs)
Full price £45.00 for one nest, plus £15.00 for each additional nest treated at the same visit.
Concessions - senior citizens £22.50 for one nest, plus £7.50 for each additional nest treated at the same visit.
Free for householders receiving one or more means tested benefits, including income support, council tax benefit, housing benefit and working tax credit.
Squirrels
Full price - £45.00 for 3 visits, plus £15.00 for each additional visit
Concessions – senior citizens £22.50 for 3 visits, plus £7.50 for each additional visit
Free for householders receiving one or more means tested benefits, including income support, council tax benefit, housing benefit and working tax credit.
Additional visits for squirrel control will only be made when you have carried out recommendations from the pest control officer to prevent squirrels getting into the building.
To qualify for a half price or free treatment, we will ask you for proof of your age or receipt of qualifying benefit. If you do not supply this when asked, you will be charged the full price.
For businesses, the standard charge is £45.00 per hour, or part of an hour.
All prices include VAT
Bumble Bees
Bumble bees are the large, furry bees that you will see flying on their own in your garden.
Their colonies can be found in places such as compost heaps, banks under hedges and beneath garden decking. The nest is a ball of vegetation with wax cells inside it and usually contains no more than 150 bees.
Bumble bees are unlikely to sting unless you touch them or disturb their nest, in which case they will want to defend themselves from what they see as an attack.
After the summer, bumble bees die out and only the females survive by finding a suitable place to spend the winter so they can start new colonies in the spring.
If you see a swarm of bees in this country, you can be sure they are not bumble bees, as bumble bees do not swarm.
Honey bees
In this country, honey bees are the only type of bee that will swarm.
A swarm is a ball of bees, the size of a football or larger, that will move from place to place looking for a suitable place to nest. This can be a space such as a hollow in a tree or in a cavity in a building.
This usually happens during May, June and July.
Swarms can be found in trees, on buildings and around chimneys. If they are left alone they usually present no serious risk to humans or animals.
If a swarm settles and remains outside, you can contact a bee keeper who may be prepared to collect the swarm from you.
The simplest way to prevent a nest being established in buildings on your land is to make sure brickwork and pointing is in good condition, so there is no way for the bees to get into cavities of your buildings.
Masonry bees
Masonry bees, or mortar bees, are a similar colour to honey bees but they do not swarm.
Their natural habitat is in earth banks or soft exposed rocks, but they can tunnel into soft mortar joints of buildings, which is how they get their name.
Although they are harmless to human health as they cannot successfully sting humans, they can cause significant damage to a building over a number of years.
The best way of dealing with this is to make sure you keep the pointing and brickwork of your property well maintained and in good condition.
Freedom of Information Requests (2)
Pest Control
- Requested on
- Monday, 26 September 2011
- Reference
- 2011 September 17
- Resolution
- Information provided
Pest Control
- Requested on
- Wednesday, 2 November 2011
- Reference
- 2011 October 06
- Resolution
- Information provided
Last updated: Wednesday, 18 January 2012 5:51 pm
