Environmental health - Pest Control

Infestations of mice will only be treated if affecting a property. You can prevent mice from entering your garden by:

• keeping your garden clean and tidy, cutting back overgrown areas and clearing any piles of wood or debris
• covering any household waste, close dustbin lids and cover compost heaps
• storing food in airtight containers and make sure any food debris is cleaned up straight away
• installing door sweeps or door brush strip on exterior doors, if the gap is larger than 4mm

There are some signs to look for if you are worried that mice may be entering or active within your property:

Black droppings - about the size and shape of a grain of rice. Common places to find mouse droppings are under the kitchen sink, around central heating boilers and in roof spaces.

• A smell of ammonia as mice urinate frequently.
• Nests - sometimes nests can be found indoors for example in lofts, under floorboards or in airing cupboards.
• Damage to stored food in cupboards and pantries.
• Gnaw marks on materials such as wood, carpets, paper, cables and furniture.

You will need to search for any potential entry points such as low areas and high vents and pipes and seal these up with wire wool. Proofing means of entry will help to prevent an infestation and reducing harbourage and food sources will make the area less attractive to mice.

If you spot a rat in your garden you should look for typical burrows or holes described above to confirm that rats are nesting in your garden and not just travelling through to get to a food source. 

You can prevent rats from entering your property by:

• filling in any gaps around pipes and under sheds, as rats only need a gap of 15mm to gain entry. Gaps should be sealed with wire wool preferably in a cement mix.
• removing potential nesting sites- keep gardens clean and tidy, cut back overgrown areas and clear any piles of wood or debris.
• Don’t put food out in the garden for wildlife
• protecting compost heaps with wire mesh to prevent rodents digging.
• ensuring all bins are securely stored in your bin with the lid closed. Inspect your bins regularly to check for 'chew marks' and holes. However, correct identification is key as squirrels can also be responsible for 'chew marks' and holes in bins too.

There are signs to look for if you're concerned that rats may be nesting in your garden or within your property:

• Rat droppings are often dark and pellet-shaped, about the size of a date stone. These tend to be clustered in certain areas, as rats often use the same spot to do the toilet.
• Gnawing marks on electrical cables, woodwork, plastic, brick as well as torn bags of foodstuff and materials.
• Footprints or tail marks in dusty, unused areas.
• You may also hear the rats scratching, gnawing and scuttling around, but correct identification is key as these sounds can also be similar to a squirrel infestation or bird activity.
• In garden areas look for holes going under the likes of decking, sheds or under tree stumps or grass embankments.
• Rat runs - trails of trampled grass about 5cm wide - leading along garden fences, across grass or from the holes.

You can take steps to reduce the likely hood of a squirrel gaining access to your roof space by:

• making sure your roof, gutters and eaves have no holes / access points for squirrels to enter
• securely sealing all entry points (proofing) preferably with metal mesh or vents
• trimming tree branches that overhang your roof
• removing anything stacked up against the side of your building
• If squirrels are getting access to your roof or attic you should take steps to seal up any holes or access points.  This should be done during the daytime when the squirrels are outside feeding. 

Wasps are generally more active during the months of June to October. We are only able to treat wasps nests which are easily accessible by 1 operative and where it's less than 20 feet from ground level. Overhangs, extensions and conservatories which restrict access will prevent us treating a nest and you should contact a private contractor in such circumstances.

Refunds are not given where we visit and are unable to carry out a treatment because of such circumstances. Please note if an Officer inspection identifies bees they will not be treated and we cannot refund this service.

Wasp nests must be treated with extreme caution as some people have severe allergic reactions to wasp stings.

Wasp nests don't need to be destroyed if they're not causing harm or are in a position doesn't affect the way you use your property. A wasp's nest will only be used for one season as a queen wasp won't return to the previous year's nest.  If, however, if you consider it necessary to have the nest treated you can book a treatment with us using the Pest Control Online Form.

Please note, unless the queen wasp is killed the nest may survive. If a further treatment is needed within 28 days from the first treatment, this will be arranged free of charge.

The vast majority of fleas found in households are cat or dog fleas. 

If you have a pet cat or dog, have it checked for fleas and:

• treat your pet with a flea treatment which you can buy from pet shops or your vet.
• check pet bedding, baskets and if necessary treat or replace them.
• clean rooms thoroughly by vacuuming carpets and soft furnishings. This will pick up adult fleas, larvae and eggs and also potential food sources. 

After cleaning apply an approved powder or spray to affected areas following the manufacturers' instructions.

The early stages in the flea life cycle such as egg, larval and pupal are more resistant to treatment so additional treatments may be needed.

If you're unable to treat the fleas yourself you can book a treatment with us using the Pest Control Online Form.

Bed bugs are found in bedding, mattresses and frames or in close proximity (for example skirting boards) to where a person sleeps.

The adult bug resembles a small brown disc, about 3.5mm long - the size of a match head. It's wingless but the legs are well developed and it can crawl up most vertical surfaces.

Infested rooms may have bugs under wallpaper or in crevices in the furniture and joinery. They generally emerge to feed at night and their bite can cause severe irritation. They also cause characteristic 'blood spotting' on bedsheets and tend to leave bites around the upper body and abdomen.

Treatment will be required to all affected rooms. The property will also need to be empty for a couple of hours after treatment to the treatment to take effect. 

Cockroaches are found in kitchens, bin areas and drainage systems and feed on refuse and human debris. They can hide in narrow cracks in walls, furniture and so on, during the day and are normally seen at night when they come out to feed and drink. They move quickly and can easily climb rough surfaces.

Cockroach infestations are relatively rare and can sometimes be mistaken for other beetles.

Dermestes beetles are harmless, but they can reach high numbers in a property where they have access to a food source.  Dermestes larvae will eat anything of plant or animal origin as long as it is dry.  The first thing to do when you find Dermestes beetles is to carry out a thorough cleaning prior to calling our pest control service. Maintaining a high level of hygiene will ensure that any infestation is kept low.

There are many types of insects that can be found within properties and some can cause damage to food, furniture and clothing.  Most insect infestations are easily treated if you can correctly identify the insect type and the possible cause or source.