Pest Control
Rats and mice
Why do they need controlling?
- they spread diseases such as Weil's (pronounced Viles) disease which can be fatal to man
- they eat food in kitchens, fields and warehouses, and contaminate food with their droppings and urine
- they cause damage to property by gnawing pipes and electric cables, or by burrowing and weakening structures
Where do they live?
They live anywhere where there is food! They are not fussy about what they class as food and rats often live in sewers and drains.
Rats and mice can climb up rough walls, can jump and swim. They prefer the security of travelling close to walls rather than crossing open spaces. When they travel rats leave greasy marks from their coats along walls etc.
Rats and mice can climb up rough walls, can jump and swim. They prefer the security of travelling close to walls rather than crossing open spaces. When they travel rats leave greasy marks from their coats along walls etc.
How do I know if I have rats or mice at home or at work?
Signs to look for:-
- damage from gnawing and feeding e.g. tooth marks on packaging
- holes - mice holes are 20mm in diameter, rat holes are about 80mm
- smears along walls, skirtings or pipes from rodents' fur
- droppings show the cause, size & duration of the infestation
- flattened vegetation along well - used runs
What do I do if I have a problem?
Please contact us on (01249) 706277 and ask for Pest Control, or email: ehealth@northwilts.gov.uk
Insects
Why do they need controlling?
The control of insect pests has long been an important aspect of public health. Many insects carry diseases harmful to people. Common insect pests include bed bugs, fleas and cockroaches. Wasps can also cause problems although they do not tend to spread diseases in the same way as the others do.
Where do they live?
Bed bugs are not as common as they once were but in infested homes they usually live in cracks in walls and under curled wall paper.
Cluster Flies can be found inside houses living in lofts etc, usually throughout the winter months.
Fleas live in carpets or pet bedding and only hop onto the host animal (usually cat or dog) to feed. If no animals are about, for example if the family has moved away, the fleas can live in carpets or woodwork waiting for another host. This may be an animal or it could be you!
Cockroaches tend to live in warm dark areas where there is food available, such as in ventilation ducting, kitchens, boiler rooms and warehouses.
Wasps tend to be a problem if they form nest in peoples' homes or workplaces. They can be in sheds, or in loft spaces.
Cluster Flies can be found inside houses living in lofts etc, usually throughout the winter months.
Fleas live in carpets or pet bedding and only hop onto the host animal (usually cat or dog) to feed. If no animals are about, for example if the family has moved away, the fleas can live in carpets or woodwork waiting for another host. This may be an animal or it could be you!
Cockroaches tend to live in warm dark areas where there is food available, such as in ventilation ducting, kitchens, boiler rooms and warehouses.
Wasps tend to be a problem if they form nest in peoples' homes or workplaces. They can be in sheds, or in loft spaces.
How do I know if I have an infestation?
Bed bugs and fleas bite. Fleas usually bite around the ankles and lower legs and bed bugs may bite any part of the body exposed when they are ready to feed!
Cockroaches are nocturnal insects so you will normally only see them at night. If you see them during the day it could mean that you have a big infestation and they need to search for food during the day too. They leave egg cases behind as part of their reproductive cycle so this is a good indicator, as well as tiny black droppings.
Wasps will be seen entering and leaving the nest site regularly or in large numbers. You may even see their nest which can be anything from the size of an egg or they have been known to be the size of an armchair! Nest are formed using wood that the insects have gnawed. The structure of the nest is like papier mache.
Cluster Flies will be evident from the large swarm of flies inside your property or living in your loft.
Cockroaches are nocturnal insects so you will normally only see them at night. If you see them during the day it could mean that you have a big infestation and they need to search for food during the day too. They leave egg cases behind as part of their reproductive cycle so this is a good indicator, as well as tiny black droppings.
Wasps will be seen entering and leaving the nest site regularly or in large numbers. You may even see their nest which can be anything from the size of an egg or they have been known to be the size of an armchair! Nest are formed using wood that the insects have gnawed. The structure of the nest is like papier mache.
Cluster Flies will be evident from the large swarm of flies inside your property or living in your loft.
What do I do if I have a problem?
Please contact us on (01249) 706277 and ask for Pest Control or email: ehealth@northwilts.gov.uk
Please click on the link below to view the current fees for Pest Control:
Pest Control Charges 2007-2008
Please click on the link below to view the current fees for Pest Control:
Pest Control Charges 2007-2008
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