Pest control
Here we outline what our responsibilities are when it comes to mice, rats, bees, wasps and other pests and what we expect from you too. If you need to, you can report a problem here too.
It is your responsibility to keep your home clean, in good condition and free from rubbish that could attract pests. If you fail to do this we could recharge you for dealing with pests in your home.
If you need help with pests you can get in touch using the form on this page.
- Wipe kitchen surfaces and floors regularly to remove any traces of food, especially after eating or preparing a meal
- Clean up food spills straight away
- Don’t leave food (including pet food) or dirty dishes out, particularly overnight
- Store food in sealed containers
- Put your rubbish in a bin bag before putting it in the bin store
- Rats and mice love to nest under rubbish and old furniture, so don't leave items like this in your garden
- If you like to feed the bird, use a table or feeder that's off the ground and sweep up any spills
- Be a good neighbour: Keep communal areas on your estate clean and pick up any rubbish (particularly food)
Here is a bit more info about common pests.
Evidence of mice
Black staining caused by fur rubbing on surfaces, droppings and gnaw marks.
Prevention
Empty bins regularly, clear up spills immediately and seal cracks and holes around pipes and electrics.
Treatment
If you have seen evidence of mice inside your home or communal areas, please contact us. Please note, it is your responsibility to keep your home clean, in good condition and free of rubbish that could attract pests. If you fail to do this we could recharge you for dealing with pests in your home.
More about mice
House mice can squeeze through very small openings and live and breed under floors, in cavity walls, ceiling voids and behind skirting boards. They can damage homes by gnawing, for example if mice chew through wiring there is a risk of fire or electrocution. Mice can contaminate food and surfaces by leaving urine, droppings and hair. They can also carry infectious diseases, so it is important to treat infestations as soon as possible.
- House Mouse - House mice thrive in the home, particularly in dirty or unhygienic areas. They are usually light or dark grey and adults can be 7 to 9cm long (not including the tail).
- Wood Mouse - Wood mice live in hedgerows, river banks and woods but may enter buildings in rural areas during the autumn. Orange-brown and white underneath, adults are 8 to 13cm long (not including the tail).
Evidence of rats
Black staining caused by fur rubbing on surfaces, droppings and gnaw marks.
Rat droppings are larger than mouse droppings and may be in groups.
Prevention
Blocking openings to the home can prevent rats becoming established. So check air bricks are intact and check for access points around gas, electricity and water pipes. Check that doors fit tightly as this will help prevent rats entering and limit their movement between properties. Keeping the home clean, storing food in sealed containers and emptying bins regularly will reduce the chance of rats staying in your home and breeding.
Treatment
If you have seen evidence of rats inside your home or communal areas, please contact us.
Please note, it is your responsibility to keep your home clean, in good condition and free of rubbish that could attract pests. If you fail to do this we could recharge you for dealing with pests in your home.
More about rats
The Brown Rat is the most common species in the UK; the Black Rat is rare and is confined to a few port towns and islands. Rats live in refuse tips, under floors, in cavity walls of buildings, sewers, bin stores and gardens. They often move into buildings in autumn and winter in search of shelter and food but may stay if there is an all-year-round food source. They are mainly active just before dawn and after dusk and tend to move along hedgerows, walls and river banks at ground level (although they can climb and jump).
Rats contaminate food and surfaces by leaving urine, droppings and hair. Rats can carry infectious diseases such as Leptospirosis (Weil's disease), Toxoplasmosis and Salmonella, so it is important to treat infestations as soon as possible.
Rat holes or burrows are 6 to 9cm in diameter and tend to be in undisturbed areas near food. Runs are typically 5 to 10cm wide and look well-used. Greasy smear marks may be seen where rats make contact with stone, wood and metal, such as on steps and in cupboard floors.
Droppings are 15-20mm long, cylindrical, flat at one end and often pointed at the other. Droppings are moist when fresh, but dry within hours to give a dull appearance.
Evidence of wasps
You may hear buzzing and spot wasps flying in and around the nest (which could be outside your home).
Treatment
If you have seen evidence of wasps in the wall cavities, roof voids or chimneys please contact us. If the wasps are in the garden, we will not remove them.
Wasp infestation can be dealt with by destroying the nest; baiting or trapping; using insecticides; flying insect control units and proofing. Any treatment must be carried out carefully, as wasps can be aggressive. Use an insecticide in the evening when wasps are less active. Wear personal protective equipment to prevent stings.
More about wasps
Wasps build nests in dry soil, old mouse burrows and in roof voids. Nests can contain more than 5,000 wasps but all but the queen dies in the winter and the nests are abandoned. Some people are sensitive to stings and may suffer severe, occasionally life-threatening reactions.
Evidence of bees
You may hear buzzing and spot a hive in your garden.
Treatment
If you have seen evidence of bees in the wall cavities or chimneys please contact us. If the bees are in the garden, we will not remove them.
More about bees
There are two main types of bee: the honey bee and the masonry bee. Honey bees can build nests in wall cavities or chimneys, while masonry bees bore holes in mortar joints and lay single eggs.
Swarms of bees can be a nuisance and honey can seep out of nests once honey bees are killed, staining walls and ceilings and causing mould to form.