Rodent and insect pests are a serious nuisance and can cause problems including damage to buildings, health and property.
Help us to help you by reporting any signs of pests at the earliest opportunity.
Report pest infestation
Signs of pest infestation should be reported as soon as possible:
For more information about pest control services see:
Rats
What are the signs of infestation?
- Sightings of live or dead rats
- Droppings
- Footprints in damp soil or dust
- Burrows or nests
- Damage to food packaging or woodwork
- Unusual noise or smells
How can I prevent an infestation?
- Keeping yards and gardens clean and tidy
- No rubbish, waste or old furniture left in gardens
- Use bins. Bag and tie your waste.
- Avoid leaving wild bird, animal or pet feed on the ground
Unfortunately, rat infestations do not disappear of their own accord so reporting any sighting is key.
Bedbugs
What are the signs of infestation?
- Bites – often on areas exposed while sleeping, like the face, neck and arms
- Spots of blood on your bedding – from the bites or from squashing a bedbug
- Small brown spots on bedding or furniture
Cause & Treatment
Bedbugs are usually associated with poor, overcrowded, and unhygienic conditions but can be transported to any premises through used clothing, furnishings, and furniture.
Most infestations are found in the bedroom in the bed frame, mattress, bedside furniture, skirting boards or wallpaper.
There are a number of factors that are helping to maintain the numbers of bedbugs, including the increased use of central heating and the resultant warm conditions which stimulate continuous activity and feeding over the winter months.
If you believe you are experiencing the signs of bedbugs, please contact Your Local Services as soon as possible for treatment and post treatment advice.