Pest control

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Pest Control

The Council's Pest Control Department provide a service for the treatment and removal of the following pests: rats, mice, cockroaches, fleas and wasps.

We do not offer a treatment service for: bedbugs, foxes, pigeons, seagulls or squirrels, but are happy to offer advice on these or any other pests that you are having problems with.

We also offer contracts and one off treatments to local businesses. 

As a general rule, it is your responsibility to deal with pests that are on your property, and some can be dealt with by homeowners themselves. However, others need specialist treatment and it is essential to get proper, professional advice on how to deal with them safely.

Please use our online form for any pest control queries

ALL OUR SERVICES ARE CHARGEABLE

There is a £25.00 call out fee for all our services. You will be required to pay this even if a full treatment is not carried out. This fee is included in all our charges.

Our current charges: Pest_Control_Fees_2013.pdf We do not offer any discounts or concessionary fees.

Payments should be made by credit or debit card by phone. We do not accept cash payment.

 

Rats and mice

As well as baiting for rats and mice, our Officers will aslo attempt to trace the cause of the problem, as well as checking drains and offering advice on long term solutions to prevent future problems. Telephone (01273) 292170 to arrange a visit.

Please see our pages on rats and mice for more information.

Fleas

Our Pest Control Department provide an effective treatment for the eradication of fleas in domestic properties. Please call us on (01273) 292170 to arrange an appointment. We will also provide you with information regarding the treatment proccess and pre-treatment measures. Alternatively you can download our flea advice and information form [PDF 76kb]  Please see our page on fleas for more information

Wasps

Wasps are generally not a threat to public health, but can be a nuisance. Our Pest Control Officers can destroy wasp colonies, although it is not always possible to remove the nest. Nests are never used again by wasps the following year. We do not start wasp treatments until the end of June.

If a wasp nest is causing you a problem, and is on a street, pavement or any other public walkway, then you should contact the Highways & Streetworks Team on (01273) 292294, they can then notify one of their Officers who will deal with the situation. They can also be contacted by email on:

networkco-ordination@brighton-hove.gov.uk

For more information, please see our page on wasps 

Bees

Our Officers will not kill bees because of their scarcity and value to the environment. If you do have a swarm of bees, then the following link will help you identify the type of bees you have, and will give you the details of your local beekeeper. They do not collect nests, and will only assist if you have a swarm to collect. http://www.bbka.org.uk/help/do_you_have_a_swarm.php

Bees in a swarm are universally in a good mood. They cannot easily sting, even if antagonised, as they have gorged themselves with honey and cannot get their bodies into the best position to sting. If the swarm is not causing a nuisance then leave it, gradually the bees will cluster in a bush or tree and remain there for up to 3 days. During that time scouts will be sent out to look for a new home. If the swarm is a nuisance then you should contact one of the local beekeepers.

Although they are unlikely to cause you any problems, if you do spot a bee nest on a street, pavement or any other public walkway, and you are concerned about this, then you should contact the Highways & Streetworks Team on (01273) 292294, they can then notify one of their Officers who will deal with the situation. They can also be contacted by email on:

networkco-ordination@brighton-hove.gov.uk

 

 

Bedbugs

The Council do not provide a service for the treatment of bedbugs, but if you would like some advice on how to deal with them, you can call our office on (01273) 292170 or see our online advice.

Cockroaches

Our department provide a service for the removal of cockroaches. As a starting point, our Officers will lay monitoring devices, to work out the severity of the problem, and to decide on the best course of action. If necessary, this will be followed by a full treatment.

Please see our page on cockroaches for more information.

Seagulls and Pigeons

We receive many enquiries each year about seagulls, especially during mating season. Urban gulls are protected by The Wildlife and Country Act and it is an offence to remove or harm their eggs or nests unless they are a serious risk to public health. Nuisance alone is not considered to be a reasonable justification for culling.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s strategy for dealing with issues relating to seagulls and pigeons, is to concentrate on their food sources. Our Highways Enforcement Team issue fixed penalty fines to businesses that litter the streets with commercial food waste. Our Environmental Health Department ensure that businesses have adequate waste storage facilities. Cityclean have introduced communal bins and ‘binvelopes’ in many more areas in the city centre, meaning that most areas of Brighton and Hove have their refuse contained, before it is put out for collection.

If seagulls or pigeons are causing a nuisance, then it is the responsibility of the homeowner or occupier to ensure that the property has proofing. The most effective methods are netting and spikes. Private pest control companies that specialize in bird proofing can be contacted to help with this.

Foxes

Brighton & Hove City Council do not intervene with problems relating to foxes.  If you are having issues with foxes, then you might find the following website useful www.foxproject.org.uk

Commercial Contracts

We can provide a free pest control contract quote. As a rule we make a minimum of 8 visits a year and will cover pests such as rats mice and cockroaches.

Although we do not offer treatments for every type of pest, our Senior Officer is happy to give advice free of charge. If you need to discuss pest control matters telephone (01273) 292170.