Report rodents, insects and other pests

There are actions you can take to control a small pest infestation. For larger infestations, professional assistance is generally the best course of action.

• Destroy the nest using boiling water, residual insecticide powder, or sugar-based liquid bait containing borax.
• Protect food sources.
• Insecticide aerosol for flying ants.
• Apply residual insecticide lacquer around doors, skirting, windows, ventilators, ducts and drains.

• Seek professional assistance

There are actions you can take to control a small pest infestation. For larger infestations, professional assistance is generally the best course of action.

• Use insecticides and knock down sprays, although these will have limited long terms impact.
• Protect food sources.
• Ensure bin lids are closed and ensure pets waste or domestic rubbish are disposed of securely.
• Securely bag your household rubbish and keep bin lids closed to keep flies away from waste food.
• Keep your garden clear of dog faeces and other pet waste.
• Hang fly papers to collect flies (This can also help you identify the species should you need to seek professional help).
• Dead animals/wildlife should be located and removed.
• Prevent flies' entry using fly screens, air curtains, bead curtains, or self-closing doors fitted with rubber flaps.

If you have already taken the afore-mentioned steps and this has not resolved the issue, please continue completing this form. Please note that the Council can only investigate large numbers of flies it they are coming from a trade or commercial building. We cannot investigate insects from fields, outdoor muck heaps or animals reared outdoors.

There are actions you can take to control a small pest infestation. For larger infestations, professional assistance is generally the best course of action.

• Small infestations around windows and behind curtains can be removed using a vacuum cleaner.
• Treat larger infestations with an insecticide space spray.
• Doing so in early winter will ensure all hibernating flies are in the same target area.

If you have already taken the afore-mentioned steps and this has not resolved the issue, please continue completing this form. Please note that the Council can only investigate large numbers of flies it they are coming from a trade or commercial building. We cannot investigate insects from fields, outdoor muck heaps or animals reared outdoors.

• Seek professional assistance.

There are actions you can take to control a small pest infestation. For larger infestations, professional assistance is generally the best course of action.

• Any pets carrying fleas must be treated using an insecticide shampoo or powder, available from your vet.
• Animal bedding must be cleaned regularly.
• Put a small amount of crawling insect powder inside your vacuum cleaner's bag.
• Heavy infestations may require professional help.

Beekeepers are happy to volunteer, advise and arrange for the collection of swarms of honey bees whenever possible.

• For guidance, call Trevor Nash (07955 166852) or Nigel Bowden (07484 730888).
• Beekeepers will not remove bumble bees, but are happy to provide further information.

There are actions you can take to control a small pest infestation. For larger infestations, professional assistance is generally the best course of action.

• Securely bag your household rubbish to keep flies away from waste food.
• Cover compost heaps.
• Clear and clean drains and gullies often.
• Hang fly papers to collect flies (This can also help you identify the species should you need to seek professional help).
• On agricultural premises farm manure should be kept as dry as possible.
• Dead animals should be located and removed.
• Prevent flies' entry using fly screens, air curtains, bead curtains, or self-closing doors fitted with rubber flaps.

If you have already taken the aforementioned steps and this has not resolved the issue, please continue completing this form. Please note that the Council can only investigate large numbers of flies it they are coming from a trade or commercial building. We cannot investigate insects from fields, outdoor muck heaps or animals reared outdoors.

There are actions you can take to control a small pest infestation. For larger infestations, professional assistance is generally the best course of action.

• Use a quick knockdown insecticide aerosol spray.
• If the nest is in the ground, an insecticide dust can be applied around the entrance of the nest.
• Exercise caution and always read the instructions on the pesticide container before you buy it.
• Seek professional help.

Rats are a common problem in both urban and rural areas. They are adaptable, highly mobile and breed rapidly. They can establish themselves wherever there is a supply of food, water and suitable harbourage. They can also travel significant distances; therefore, a rat sighting may not necessarily indicate an infestation at that property. Property owners and occupiers have a legal obligation under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 to keep premises rodent free.

• There are actions you can take to control a small infestation. For larger infestations, professional assistance is generally the best course of action.
• Remove or reduce potential food sources and nesting sites.
• Keep refuse in proper storage containers.
• Check and repair all small gaps in the external walls of your property.
• Ensure that drain inspection covers are in place and are in good repair.
• Check that your bird feeders are rodent-proof.
• Only put a small amount of bird feed out in the morning. Ideally it should all be eaten by dusk, alternatively take feeders down and dusk and store them in a rodent proof container until the morning.
• Use traps and bait (such as peanut butter, bread, or chocolate).
• Use poison bait from a chemist, hardware shop, or supermarket, however you must take care to follow the suppliers instructions to ensure the safety of children, pets and non-target species.
• Seek professional help.

If you have already taken the afore-mentioned actions and this has not resolved the issue, then complete this form and an officer will visit to assess the complaint. We will only investigate serious infestations. Please note that an infestation would be serious if several rats are seen regularly. The sighting of occasional rats over a period of time is not considered a severe infestation.

There are actions you can take to control a small infestation. For larger infestations, professional assistance is generally the best course of action.

• Make sure that the mice do not have access to food stored in your kitchen.
• Check and repair all small gaps in the external walls of your property.
• Use traps and bait (such as peanut butter, bread, or chocolate).
• Contrary to popular belief, cheese is not a good bait.
• Humane options that allow for harmless trapping and release are available.
• Use poison bait from a chemist, hardware shop, or supermarket, however you must take care to follow the suppliers instructions to ensure the safety of children, pets and non-target species.
• Remove or reduce potential food sources and nesting sites.
• Seek professional help.