WELCOME TO PEST CONTROL SERVICES
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Welcome to Bournemouth Borough Council Pest Control page. We provide a very comprehensive and competitvely priced service for Pest control including commercial work. Here you can find information and advice about the different services we provide and the costs. Please note that charges quoted below are for residential properties only. Trade/commercial charges are quoted on a job to job/contractual basis. For further information, please contact us through the Ask Bournemouth Contact Centre on 01202 451199.
Stop Press- Bee Alert!
Honey Bees and Bumble Bees are declining in numbers rapidly. It is crucial that these are not harmed or their nest sites disturbed in any way. These creatures are crucial for pollination of gardens, plants and crops. Bumble Bees, which are quite furry, vary in size, while Honey Bees are a dark muddy brown and both are easy to distinguish against wasps which have distinct yellow and black stripes. These bees are not aggressive at all unless they are really threatened by people, and we are asking the public to help in their preservation by not harming them or their nests.
Stop Press - Help preserve our native ladybird!
A new ladybird has arrived in Britain. But not just any ladybird: this is the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, the most invasive ladybird on Earth.
The Harlequin Lady Bird arrived in England in the summer of 2004, and since has spread from the south east of the country to encompass half of England. This is an extremely rapid spread and needs to be controlled because they kill our own native species of Ladybird.
What do they look like?
Identification of the ladybird can be obtained by Clicking here. They do vary in colour and appearance even within a cluster.
What should I do if I see one?
Recommended control measures are simply to hoover the insect up. Where this is not possible, a very brief spray on the insect with fly killer will suffice.
Please be careful using fly killers outside as they can kill beneficial insects.
This species is able to spread rapidly because it is mistaken as our native lady bird and not a 'pest species', so please be vigilant.
Mosquito Watch
Bournemouth Borough Council is currently participating in 'Mosquito Watch' which is being run by The Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the Chartererd Institute of Environmnetal Heath (CIEH). The HPA and the CIEH are seeking a better understanding of the incidence of mosquitoes biting humans in the UK and have developed Mosquito Watch a dedicated database to record the incidences of mosquitoes nationally.
Information on Pests
Click on the link below to view the relevant information:
Price List 2010
| Rodents |
Prices |
| Domestic Rats |
£65.00 for the first four visits |
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£15.00 for each additional visit |
| Mice (Indoors only) |
£65.00 |
| Trade / Commercial charges |
£135.00 (Inc VAT, Minimum charge) |
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|
| Disinfestation |
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| Fleas: |
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| Domestic - private residents: |
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| First two rooms |
£37.00 |
| Each additional room |
£12.00 |
| Trade / Commercial charges |
On site quotations |
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| Bed bugs and Cockroaches |
On site quotations |
|
|
| Ants: |
£65.00 per house/flat |
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| Squirrels: |
£62.00 per hour |
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| Wasps: |
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| Internal: |
£42.00 |
| External: |
£37.00 |
| Garden: |
£30.00 |
| Each additional nest |
£11.00 |
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Rats
We provide a service from Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. By law, sightings of rats should be reported to your Local Authority.
They are social creatures and, with an average litter of nine, that one sighting means you have only seen the tip of the iceberg!
We strongly recommend you use our services or other professional companies rather than self treating as often this ends in inadequate or failed treatments – these creatures constitute a health hazard.
Please refer to 2010 prices above
Mice
Mice urinate and defecate prolifically. Their droppings have a similar shape to grains of rice.
In your home this becomes a real health hazard so thorough cleaning of all food preparation areas is recommended.
We do not treat mice outside.
If you discover an infestation during the weekend please contact us first thing on Monday morning. If you cannot wait, you may wish to look in the Yellow Pages under Pest Control for an alternative company.
Please refer to 2010 prices above
Wasps
We do not remove nests because foraging wasps returning will start a new nest. Old nests are never used by Queens emerging from hibernation – they always start fresh ones.
The colony will die naturally in late autumn to December. If the nest or wasp activity is discovered at this time of year and is not bothering you – leave it – it has been there since the spring.
We do not recommend self-treating. This can be a dangerous affair if you are unprotected.
Please refer to 2010 prices above
Cockroaches
Of all the pests we deal with this is probably the most difficult to control.
The two most common pest species are the German Cockroach and Oriental Cockroach. Bournemouth’s cockroach population is dominated by the Oriental Cockroach which is less prolific as a breeding species than the German cockroach.
Treatment can be complex and cannot be resolved with two or three treatments. Accurate survey work and assessments, plus a combination of monitoring traps and sprays or gels can eradicate roaches. However, complex structures and old buildings contribute to the difficulties in control. A three dimensional strategy to tackle the cockroach is needed including monitoring beyond the target areas. Drains and sewers also harbour cockroaches and these areas should not be overlooked when monitoring activity.
We strongly advise you contact the Council or other pest control companies to carry out the work of eradication.
Good hygiene and elimination of food sources are also important in controlling roaches – though if needs be they will eat each other! They are disease carriers with Salmonella poisoning probably the most common.
For further information go to www.scarafaggio.com.
Please refer to 2010 prices above
Ants
You can self-treat this annual pest. Use fresh insecticide powder if there are no pets or young children or a residual liquid/aerosol insecticide. Follow the ants back to the nest entrance (usually an area of high activity) and apply the insecticide according to the product instructions. Due to the weather, a fresh application may be necessary. It is very important to survey thoroughly for the nest site and to search beyond the outside of your house. If you are suddenly confronted by flying ants (emerging queens and males) fly spray is the quickest solution but do not overuse any chemicals you buy. Look on the web under ‘Ant control’ for further advice.
Please refer to 2010 prices above
Fleas
If you have an infestation, make sure your pets are treated (see your vet) and use an effective insecticide for the home. Pet shops are a useful supplier of flea insecticides. The Council supplies a service for flea treatments and can also send advice sheets on fleas.
Having had a flea treatment (self treating or otherwise) you will still see fleas emerging from pupation – however a residual insecticide will last for several weeks and gradually kill emerging fleas. DO NOT HOOVER for at least three weeks after a treatment and cover fish tanks during treatment. There are some excellent advice sites on the web if you simply type in ‘Flea control’.
Please refer to 2010 prices above
Commercial premises are treated at a different rate, and an on-site quotation is required.
Stored Product Insects
This covers a variety of insects including biscuit beetle, grain weevil, flour beetles, grain beetles to mention a few and all have similar methods of control.Basically place all infested packet goods into a bin bag and place in to your dustbin. Tinned goods are not affected.Spray a residual insecticide in the affected areas, including cracks and crevices, and leave overnight.In the morning wipe off food preparation areas with warm soapy water prior to using work surfaces.This insecticide will kill off any foraging insects but leave insecticide in the cracks and crevices where emerging insects might be harbouraging – though the majority of their life cycle development is in the packets you have just thrown out.
Please refer to 2010 prices above
Psocides (book lice)
These are tiny ant like creatures which are often found in warm humid conditions. Treatment is the same as the stored product insect but also try to reduce the humidity levels in the affected rooms.
Squirrels
We generally use heavy-duty spring traps, or live traps. Their ability to chew through your loft wiring and cause damage to timbers is well known.You can buy live traps from ‘Scats’ in Lymington which can be baited with peanuts in their shells. Most of the web sites are mainly American/Canadian and give some useful advice. Ignore any advice on relocating squirrels after trapping as this is illegal in this country.
Please refer to 2010 prices above.
Honey Bees
Honey Bees swarm from May to mid-June and though they look intimidating will not harm you if left alone.The swarm is simply looking for a permanent site for the summer. If you have concerns you can contact us Ask Bournemouth Contact Centre on 01202 451199 or for a really comprehensive guide look on the website at www.beetalk.org.uk.
Foxes
These creatures are endemic within the Borough thriving in both domestic environments and the park lands. They are natural scavengers and also take rats, so we see them as beneficial and not an animal to control. An emotive subject this one as the horrendous noise they make in the mating season and the transmitting of mange to dogs creates a real nuisance to some people. Confrontations between foxes and cats usually ends in a stand off and they prefer to avoid each other. We strongly advise that you do not feed them as this can lead to an overcrowding in a given area.
Feral Pigeons
We do not provide a general service for proofing or eradication.This can be dealt with by looking in the Yellow Pages under Pest Control to get advise or quotations for pigeon proofing. We strongly recommend that you do not feed them, as this will increase their numbers in your area. They are known carriers of diseases so close contact with these birds is not recommended. In particular, discourage your children from feeding them.
Health and Safety:
The accumulated fouling, especially on the ground can be very slippery, especially when wet.
Walkways and fire escapes can become treacherous and should be continually removed.
Insecticides to use:
These are sold as residual or non-residual insecticides. In general, a residual insecticide will state it kills ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, woodlice etc, while a non-residual states wasps and flies.
Residual means the active ingredient of the spray/powder will last for several weeks as a killing agent.
These can be obtained from Pet shops, supermarkets and hardware stores, Always read the product labels and do not overuse them. All insecticides will kill fish – so cover or remove them.
NOTE: Any product containing Bendiocarb (usually in Powder form for for Ants) must be treated with great care if you have cats.
Bendiocarb will kill them!
We are here to help and advise so if you are still unsure about a subject or treatment, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01202 451199
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