pest control

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Pest Control

As of 1st April all our services will be chargeable, that includes the treatment of rats. Pest Control Fees April 2010 [PDF 248kb]

Problems with Seagulls?

We receive many enquiries each year about seagulls, especially during mating season. The growth in the seagull population is a national problem. 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 the seagull problem is to concentrate on seagull 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 there are virtually no areas of Brighton and Hove where refuse is not contained before being put out for collection.

If seagulls 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.

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.

Our Pest Control Officers comprise of Jim, Pat, Will, John and Darren who is the Senior Pest Control Officer they are available Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm.

As a general rule, it is your responsibility to deal with pests on your premises, and some can be dealt with by homeowners themselves. However, others need specialised treatment and it is essential to get proper, professional advice on how to deal with them safely, without damaging the environment.

Please use our online form for any pest control queries

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of pests do you treat?

Rats and mice, cockroaches, wasps and fleas. We also offer contracts and one off treatments to local businesses. The council's pest control officers will not kill bees. This is because of their scarcity and value to the environment. If you experience problems with bees call for advice.

We no longer treat 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.

How long will I have to wait for an appointment?

Pest control visits are allocated on a priority basis. We aim to treat rats in a domestic property within three working days. Pressures on the service are seasonal, so there can be waiting lists depending on the time of year.

How much does it cost?

We charge for all our services. See our Pest Control Fees [PDF 248kb] or call us on (01273) 292170 for more information.

What can I do if I'm having a problem with foxes?

Brighton & Hove City Council does not intervene with fox problems because they are not classed as vermin. If you are having problems with foxes then you might find the following website useful www.thefoxwebsite.org

Rats and mice

Rats present one of the greatest threats to public health and should always be reported. The Pest Control officer will deal with rats and mice and investigate and attempt to trace the cause of the problem. Telephone (01273) 292170 to arrange a visit. We charge for the treatment of rats and mice please see our Pest Control Fees [PDF 248kb] for our current prices.

For more information, please see our information pages on rats and mice.

Cockroaches

All infestations should be reported so that they can be dealt with quickly. Usually, the pest control officer will lay monitoring devices then return at a later date to inspect these devices and decide on the best course of action. There is a charge for cockroaches, see our Pest Control Fees [PDF 248kb] for our current prices.

For more information, please see our information pages on cockroaches.

Wasps

Wasps are not a threat to public health, but can be a nuisance, particularly because they sting. Pest control officers can, if necessary, destroy wasp colonies, although it is not always possible to remove the nest. Old nests are never inhabited the following year. The cost for treating a wasps nest is £51.

For more information, please see our information page on wasps.

Fleas

Fleas thrive in warm weather but do not always need treatment by a pest control officer. Telephone (01273) 292170 and we will send you information on treatments and precautionary pre-treatment measures. Alternatively you can download our flea advice and information form [PDF 76kb] if you wish to make an appointment.

For more information, please see our information page on fleas.

Although we can't offer treatments for every type of pest our senior officer can give advice free of charge. If you need to discuss pest control matters telephone (01273) 292170.

For information on how to treat ants please see our information page.