Environment and planning > Environmental health >

Pest control

The Pest Control section is a responsive service dealing with requests from residents of the district to identify and eradicate designated pests which are considered to be of public health significance, for example

• rats
• mice
• cockroaches
• bed bugs

These treatments are free of charge to all domestic premises.

We also carry out treatments upon request for a range of non-public health signficance, for example:

• most flea varieties
• pharaoh ants
• all wasp species
• bees (when circumstances present a safety risk)
• silverfish
• weevils

These requests carry a charge of £31.50 (inc. VAT) per treatment. Householders can use products available at most supermarkets and DIY stores if they prefer.

We normally do not tackle honey bees and some other bees that are less likely to sting and are valuable pollinators, we will continue to refer reports of swarms to local beekeepers who may remove the swarm to a hive - on rare occasions we will treat if the swarm is in a dangerous location e.g. has entered a house - but this will be chargeable to.

Payment by cash or cheque at the time of the treatment is preferred although alternative arrangements i.e. telephone payment can be made. We need to keep overheads to a minimum to make the scheme simple to operate and value for money. Invoicing introduces additional work and internal charges and has been avoided.

No discount or benefit reductions will apply - to keep the scheme simple and straightforward, avoiding the need to check or confirm receipt of benefit.

Council tenants and owner/occupiers are treated in exactly the same way and unless payment is made at the time of the visit - no treatment will be carried out.

General garden pests e.g. ants, beetles, slugs etc. and and flies are not treated, however general information and self-help advice is available.

Anyone who requires an immediate treatment can contact the many alternative pest control contractors advertised in local directories and Yellow Pages etc.

Commercial/Business Organisations

One off treatments for all the above pests can be arranged for a charge of £63 + VAT. Alternatively, annual pest control contracts can be arranged at appropriate rates.