Pest Control Domestic Premises

The Forest of Dean District Council offers a comprehensive and professional pest control service to domestic premises.  We provide a fast, discreet service at very competitive rates. 
 

Types of pest

We provide pest control services for a variety of rodent pests and insects including: 

• Rats
• Mice
• Squirrels
• Wasps
• Rabbits
• Moles
• Fleas
• Cockroaches
• Bed bugs
• Flies
• Ants
• Carpet beetles (woolly bears)
• Other insect pests

How to book an appointment

If you have a problem with pests contact the council on 01594 810 000 (Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 4.45pm and 9.00am to 4.30pm on Friday) to book an appointment or receive free advice.  You will need to provide your name and address and in most cases you will be asked to pay for the service at the time of booking.  Payment can be made by either a credit or debit card.  A pest control officer will then contact you to arrange a convenient appointment.  Someone will need to be at the property for the initial visit.  As long as you are happy to allow the pest control officer unsupervised access thereafter, you will not need to be present for any follow up treatments.

Pest control charges

Please note these prices are subject to change annually.

There are concessions for the treatment of rats and mice for those people in receipt of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Employment Support (income related)
• Guaranteed Pension Credit
• Job Seekers Allowance (income related)

• Call out fees, equivalent to half the published rate, will be charged where work cannot be carried out for reasons beyond our control or if you fail to be at home at the time of the appointment.

• Proof of benefit will need to be shown to the pest control officer at the first appointment if you are claiming a concession. If no proof is shown then treatment will not commence until full payment has been made.

• The charity registration number will be required (if applicable).

*   PLEASE NOTE: any bait, equipment or other materials used will be CHARGED AS EXTRA in the treatment of rabbits and moles.  Any bait, equipment or other materials used when treating all other pest are included within the price quoted.

 
Why choose us?

Although self treat options are available they are relatively expensive and require you to handle and store potentially dangerous poisons. The cost of our service is inclusive of bait and provides unlimited treatment by our experienced pest control officers until the pest problem is solved.

Treatment

Rats and mice

Generally we treat for rats and mice by laying poison bait in protected bait stations or small plastic trays in protected positions. The rats or mice are killed within a few days but the treatment is not immediate. Unfortunately, you can occasionally get a smell problem after a treatment but this usually lasts only a few days.  We may need to visit at least three times over a period of about 3 weeks to ensure that the treatment is successful and to collect the bait stations and unused poison after the treatment has been completed. Whilst the poison bait we use is very safe and designed specifically to affect rats and mice it must be kept away from inquisitive pets and children. We will continue to treat at the premises until the pests have gone. 

Rabbits

Control by gassing and aluminium phosphide products can be very effective when correctly carried out under the right conditions and in suitable situations.  It is essential that the person carrying out the gassing is competent and suitably trained.  Trapping rabbits is another alternative where gassing is inappropriate.  

Gassing of badgers and foxes is illegal, care must be taken that gassing does not affect badgers, foxes or any other species that might be at risk.  If in doubt do not gas.

Moles

Trapping is a method once a well-used run has been located.  There is a number of aluminium phosphide generating products available for gassing moles in their burrows.  They can be used in a number of situations where poisoning is not permitted.  The dosage and application rates prescribed on the product labels must be adhered to.

Control by gassing and aluminium phosphide products can be very effective when correctly carried out under the right conditions and in suitable situations.  It is essential that the person carrying out the gassing is competent and suitably trained.  Trapping rabbits is another alternative where gassing is inappropriate.  

Gassing of badgers and foxes is illegal, care must be taken that gassing does not affect badgers, foxes or any other species that might be at risk.  If in doubt do not gas.

Wasps

Wasps can be a problem because of the possibility of being stung. In the winter the queen wasp leaves the nest and the nest dies off. Dead wasps' nests do not need treating or removing as they will not be reoccupied next year. When we treat a nest we pump a dry white insecticidal powder into the nest. We try to use the minimum of insecticide necessary but some may remain outside the nest. It will take at least 24 hours for the nest to be killed so please be aware that the eradication is not immediate.  We do not usually remove the treated nest. Please note our pest control officer may not be able to treat some wasps nests particularly those above gutter height on a two storey house and we reserve the right not to treat a nest if it is considered unsafe to do so.

Ants, fleas, bed bugs and other insects

Treatments for these pests are usually by spraying with insecticide. We will need the affected area to be cleared of clutter so that the spray can reach everywhere. Pets and children will need to be kept out of the sprayed area until the spray is dry and this can take up to two hours. If infestation is from fleas and you have a cat or a dog you will need to get your pet treated for fleas at the same time. Your vet can advise on this.

Bees

We do not recommend that any species of bees are destroyed as they are beneficial to the environment and unless disturbed or attacked are relatively harmless. Local beekeepers are willing to collect honey bees, which have swarmed. For a list of local beekeepers click here 2013 List of Bee Keepers or contact us on 01594 810000.

Additional information

For more information view the data sheets on the pest control advice and information pages.  Alternatively contact us on 01594 810000 and ask for pest control technical advice and one of our experienced pest control officers will give you a call.