Pest Control Services

Elmbridge Borough Council offer a pest control service for the treatment of common nuisance pests in domestic or commercial premises. This is a charged service.

• |Which pests do Elmbridge Borough Council treat?
• |I'm having trouble with a pest you don't treat, what should I do?
• |How do I book a pest control appointment?
• |How much does it cost?
• |What happens once I have booked an appointment?
• |What does the treatment involve?
• |How can I provide feedback about the pest control service?

Which pests do Elmbridge Borough Council treat?

We treat ants, bed bugs, carpet moths and beetles, fleas, insects found in stored products and textiles, mice, rats, squirrels (in domestic loft space only) and wasps and also offer a |rodent proofing treatment where air bricks can be fitted with a grill.

Please note that usually we do not offer a service in respect of food premises.

|I'm having trouble with a pest you don't treat, what should I do?

There are some common pests that we are unable to treat (e.g. foxes and pigeons) and some more unusual animals, insects and reptiles that are generally harmless and may be protected by law (e.g. bats, badgers and snakes).

We have prepared some |information to help you identify these pests and some useful advice to deter these nuisances. We can also provide a list of |alternative pest contractors who may offer an extended service such as bird proofing or fox management.

|How do I book a pest control appointment?

To arrange an appointment we need to speak to you between 9.00am and 5.00pm (Monday to Friday). If you are not available on your home phone between these hours please provide a mobile contact number.

Contact During Office Hours

• Tel: 01372 474750 or 01372 474748 (9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday)

Contact Out of Hours

If you submit and email or online service request form we will need to contact you between the hours above to arrange an appointment.

• Email: |Environmental Health & Licensing
• |Online pest control service request form

Winter appointments are usually within two days however, during the summer (especially during a busy wasp season) there may be a delay.

Be aware that our Pest Control Officer is unable to enter a premises unless there is an adult present who must remain for the duration of the treatment. |Further information is available in our pest control leaflet.

|How much does it cost?

The fee is dependent upon the type of pest being treated. See a full list of |fees and charges and methods of payment.

Note: A call out fee will be charged even if no pest is actually treated (however, this amount is deducted from the final cost if treatment takes place).

|What happens once I have booked an appointment?

Once an appointment has been made you will be provided with the following information:

• Name of Pest Control Officer (each officer will have official identification which you should ask to see)
• Date of visit and either morning (8.00 am - 12.00 noon) or afternoon (1.00 pm - 5.00 pm). Please be aware that specific times cannot be guaranteed but in the event of you having a prior appointment (e.g. doctors appointment or school run) we will do our best to accommodate you.
• Brief details about the treatment to be carried out.
• Details of our fees and charges and how you can pay (please note we cannot accept cash).

|What does the treatment involve?

Each treatment is different and an information sheet explaining the procedure and any chemicals/poisons used will be left with the householder after treatment. However, in brief:

• Rats - Once the presence of rats has been established, bait points are placed around the affected areas (we do not use traps). Our fee includes four visits and we make appointments for re-visits after the initial treatment. |Information about the life-cycle of a rat.
  
  We also |provide a service to rodent proof air-bricks (where rats tend to gain access to a property).
  
  
• Mice - Once the presence of mice has been established, bait points are placed around the affected areas (we do not use traps). Our fee includes four visits and we make appointments for re-visits after the initial treatment. |Information about the life-cycle of mice.
  
  We also |provide a service to rodent proof air-bricks (where mice tend to gain access to a property).
  
  
• Bed bugs - There are some |actions that need to be taken by the householder before the pest control visit. Our treatment involves a thorough investigation of all affected rooms and once an infestation is located a liquid insecticide is used. It may take up to three weeks for all bed bugs to be eradicated. |Information about the life-cycle of bed-bugs.
  
  
• Carpet moths and beetles - The infected area should be vacuumed prior to treatment in order that we can monitor the infestation level. A spray is then used along the skirting board area, as this is where the insect larvae are usually located.
  
  
• Fleas - There are some |actions that need to be taken by the householder before the pest control visit and the property should be thoroughly vacuumed prior to treatment. A liquid insecticide will be used and it takes roughly two weeks for all stages of the flea (egg, larvae and adult) to be eradicated. |Information about the life-cycle of fleas.
  
  
• Insects found in stored products and textiles - Cupboards should be thoroughly cleaned (by the householder) of all food products, then washed. We treat the infected area with a crawling insect spray. The cupboards should be left for between 24-48 hours after treatment, then thoroughly washed again before any food is replaced.
  
  
• Wasps - The nest is sprayed with a dust or liquid insecticide. Exterminated nests are not removed, as wasps will not re-inhabit them. There is no reason for us to re-visit unless the nest is still active 24-48 hours after treatment. |Information about the life-cycle of wasps and hornets.
  
  
• Ants - Either an insecticide spray or powder is used (depending on the location of the nest). Treatment should be effective within 24-48 hours. |Information about the life-cycle of ants.
  
  
• Squirrels (in domestic loft space only) - This treatment involves three visits. The first visit is to carry out a survey of the loft, place and set two spring loaded traps and the remaining two visits are to check the traps and remove any catches. |Information about the life-cycle of squirrels.

How can I provide feedback about the pest control service?

Have your say

We welcome feedback about our service. Please complete our online form with any |compliments, complaints or suggestions

Customer Satisfaction Surveys

Each year we distribute customer satisfaction surveys to those people who have used our pest control service. We take any comment or complaint seriously in an attempt to improve the service:

• Complete our |customer satisfaction survey if you have had pest control treatment from the Council
• |View feedback from the 2010-2011 customer satisfaction survey

Note: There is an independent pest control company operating within the Borough, trading as 'Elmbridge Pest Control Company' - this company has no connection with Elmbridge Borough Council and we are not responsible for any orders for work placed with them. The Council's pest control officer and pest control van will always have official Council identification which you should request to see prior to pest treatment.