Pest control services

If you need a pest control service

As a general rule, it is an individual's responsibility to deal with the pests on their own premises.

Some can be dealt with by homeowners and business owners themselves, using products readily available from retail outlets.

However, others need special treatments. It is essential to get proper, professional advice on how to deal with them safely and quickly. This is prevent damaging the environment, affecting people's health or causing damage to the property.

You can check the British Pest Controllers Association (BCPA) website to find out details of its approved members and search for companies in your local area. Please see the BCPA website:

• British Pest Controllers Association (BCPA) website

You can also look for pest control services on the following websites:

• Checkatrade website
• National Pest Technicians Association

As a local authority, we do not provide recommendations on professional pest contractor services, nor advise on their quality or suitability. We suggest that you carry out necessary checks and recommend you:

• get at least three quotations
• find out if there is a call out fee or fixed charge
• find out what service and guarantee they will provide you
• check they have insurance cover
• check their qualifications
• verify any certificates in Pest Control from the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health (RSPH) or the BPCA
• only progress when you are happy with them and understand the advice they give
• consider personal recommendations from friends, neighbours or colleagues

There is legislation that requires owners/occupiers to keep their land free from rats and mice. If an owner/occupier does not deal with an infestation of rats or mice, an Environmental Health officer can take enforcement action against them, to ensure that their land and property is not infested with rats and mice.

If you are a tenant, you should contact your landlord. Depending on the problem, it may not be your landlord's responsibility to deal with the pests.

Rats

Rats can transmit a number of serious diseases, cause damage to property, and contaminate food. To prevent rats becoming pests, we recommend that you:

• Keep food in containers with tight fitting lids
• Tidy your house and garden - less clutter means less places to hide
• Place rubbish bags in bins with secure lids
• Clean up pet food and bird seed debris