Pest Control Services

Elmbridge Environmental Health & Licensing Division offer a service for the treatment of some 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 will treat ants, bed bugs, carpet moths and beetles, fleas, insects found in stored products and textiles, mice, rats and wasps and also offer a |rodent proofing treatment where air bricks can be fitted with a grill to prevent invasion.

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 a number of common nuisance pests that we are unable to treat (e.g. foxes, squirrels 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 |further information to help you identify the nuisance and some useful advice including |alternative pest control contractors who may be able to help.

|How do I book a pest control appointment?

• Tel: 01372 474750 or 01372 474748 (9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday)
• Tel: 01372 474754 (out of hours pest information line - answerphone)
• Email: |Environmental Health & Licensing - once submitted we will contact you between the hours listed above to arrange an appointment
• Complete our |online service request form - once submitted we will contact you between the hours listed above to arrange an appointment

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

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.

| What happens once I have booked an appointment?

Once an appointment has been made we will provide you 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. a school run) we will do our best to accommodate you.
• Brief details about the pest treatment to be used.
• 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 will be 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. |Further information about the rat's lifecycle.
  
  We can also |provide a service to rodent proof airbricks where rats or mice 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. |Further information about the mouse lifecycle.
  
  We can also |provide a service to rodent proof airbricks where rats or 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. Once an infestation is located a liquid insecticide is used and it may take up to three weeks for all bed bugs to die. |Further information about the bed bug lifecycle.
  
  
• 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. The property should be vacuumed prior to treatment, which is carried out using a liquid insecticide. It takes roughly two weeks for all stages of the flea (egg, larvae and adult) to be eradicated. |Further information about the flea lifecycle.
  
  
• Insects found in stored products and textiles - Cupboards should be thoroughly cleaned (by the householder) of all food products, then washed. We then treat the infected area with a crawling insect spray. The cupboards should be left for between 24-48 hours 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. |Further information about the wasp lifecycle.
  
  
• Ants - Either an insecticide spray or powder is used, depending on the location of the nest. Treatment should be effective within 24-48 hours. |Further information about the ant lifecycle.

| How can I provide feedback about the pest control service?

Each year we distribute customer satisfaction surveys to those people who have used our pest control service. We welcome all comments and take any complaint seriously in an attempt to improve the service. |View feedback from the 2009-2010 customer satisfaction survey.