Pest control in Hertsmere

Your pest control questions answered

Most pests are harmless and can often be dealt with by using humane traps and chemicals available from DIY stores, garden centres and supermarkets. It is important to always read the label carefully and only use the insecticide for the use that it is intended.

However, sometimes it is advisable to call in experts to solve a persistent problem. Whilst the Council does not have a legal obligation to provide a pest control service, it has a small team of officers who specialise in getting rid of certain pests, using a comprehensive range of pest control treatments and techniques not available to buy over the counter. Some private companies also offer Pest Control Services, and their details can be found in publications such as the Yellow Pages, similar directories and local newspapers.

The Council offers free advice over the phone, but charges do apply for callouts, treatments and appointments, even where no treatment is required.  The Council charges competitive rates for these services, a full breakdown of which can be viewed below. Where the main householder is in receipt of Pension Credit or Income Support they will receive a basic pest control service for rats and mice at a concessionary rate of £20.

Please note most bees are a protected species. Advice can be given but no treatment is available.

Council Officers will apply safe and effective treatments. If the problem persists they will return and make reasonable efforts to ensure the problem is dealt with.

Pest control services can be arranged by telephoning the Environmental Health Unit on 020 8207 7435 during normal working hours. Alternatively you can email us at environmental.health@hertsmere.gov.uk , or use this online form.

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  • download pest control rates    (24KB)

Pest Control FAQs

Q: When should I call out a pest control officer/pest control company?
A:

• If you have seen rats or mice in your garden over a period of time.
• If you find droppings and/or items chewed inside your property.
• If you have heard noises i.e. scratching over a few days, and cannot find a non-pest related cause for the noises.

Q: How do I make an appointment?

A: Contact the Environmental Health Unit on 020 8207 7435 during normal working hours. Alternatively you can email us at environmental.health@hertsmere.gov.uk

Q: How much does it cost?

A:  A full list of costs is attached here  (24KB)

Q: I receive Pension Credit / Income Support. Do I get a discount?

A: If the main householder is in receipt of Pension Credit or Income Support you will receive a basic pest control service for rats and mice at a concessionary rate of £20.

Q: How long does treatment take?

A: It depends on the scale of the problem. A technician would discuss this with you once an initial assessment is made.

Q: Does someone have to be at the property when the pest control technician arrives?

A: Yes, especially on the first visit. For re-visits if you have agreed with the technician at the initial visit that alternative access will be available, you no longer need to be at the property during treatments.

Q: What appointments are available?

A: The current schedule is detailed below. However it may be subject to change and can be affected by other considerations such as adverse weather etc.

AM appointments are between 8am and 1.00 p.m.. PM appointments are between noon and 5 p.m. No specific times can be given as it is difficult to determine exactly how long a particular job will last.

Pest control appointments

	AM	PM
Mon	Borehamwood	Potters Bar
Tue	Bushey	Borehamwood
Wed	Potters Bar	Borehamwood
Thurs	Borehamwood	Bushey
Fri	Borehamwood/Bushey	Potters Bar

Q: Are weekend appointments available?

A: No. If alternative access cannot be made available (eg through a neighbour) it is suggested you contact a private pest control company.

Q: Is any advice available over the phone?

A: Yes. Our team will be happy to advise you on treatments available to help try to get rid of your pest control problem. In some cases we can advise on products you can buy over the counter to help, for example in the case of foxes.

Q: How do I know what treatment to buy if I don’t know what the insect is?

A: If you can bring in a sample of the bugs in a secure container to our offices in Borehamwood we offer a free identification service. Our pest control technicians will explain what they are and how to eliminate the problem. You will need to make an appointment to do this.

Q: I rent my property from a private landlord/ Housing Association; do I have to pay for a pest control service?

A: Yes, unless it is in relation to rats/mice AND the principle householder is in receipt of income support or pension credit in which case a concessionary rate of £20 is available. Alternatively your landlord may agree to pay but you would need to arrange this with them.

Q: Are there any after affects with the treatments?

A: In cases of rats or mice being treated with bait inside your property you may experience a problem with smell. You may experience a smell for a few days or longer depending on where the body is, temperature etc. Sometimes were wasp nests are treated a smell may develop which should only last a few days.

Q: What happens to the dead pests?

A: You will need to dispose of these yourself. The council is not responsible for collecting dead species from your property.

Q: Does the Council deal with Foxes?

A: In common with many other local authorities, we do not provide eradication or a removal service for foxes.  Controlling urban foxes is difficult, expensive and not normally successful.

Legally, there are only two methods that can be used to dispose of foxes; shooting or cage trapping in combination with the administering of a lethal injection.  These can be costly and unlikely to be effective in the long term.  This is because foxes are territorial animals; therefore if one animal is removed then another will quickly claim its territory.

Facts about foxes -  there has been a rapid increase of foxes into urban areas during the 20th century.  They are well adapted to both town and country life and will live and breed in both environments.  They can live for about 12-15 years, but life expectancy in urban areas is much shorter and most foxes survive for about 2-3 years.  Around 50% of the UK's fox population is killed on the roads.

Deterence -  the most likely reason for a fox to enter your garden is in the serarch for food, or if it provides a safe place to shelter.  Deterring foxes is cheaper, more humane and can be more effective.  The following advice you may find useful:

• keep all rubbish in wheelie bins or closed containers, not plastic bags.
• if bags are used for waste disposal, only put them out on the morning of your rubbish collection.
• try to keep your grounds well maintained and remove overgrown vegetation.
• seal any holes beneath buildings or sheds.
• do not leave food out for other animals.
• make sure all domestic animals (such as rabbits, chickens etc) are securely caged or fenced in.
• bring toys, shoes, etc inside at night as cubs like to chew or play with these items.

Repellents - to prevent foxes from using your garden, you can try a suitable animal repellent.  A range of products are available but please note only approved products can be used and they must be used in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions.  The use of non-approved products such as creosote and diesel oil is not permitted by law and can be very dangerous to other animals such as cats and dogs.  Legal action can result against anyone who is found using such products.  Your local garden centre, hardware or DIY store should be able to provide you with the correct advice on the most suitable product to use.  Such products sold are - 'Scoot', 'Stay Off', 'Get Off My Garden', 'Wash and Get Off' and 'Silent Roar'.

Foxes - a hazard to pets or people? - despite fears, the fox does not pose a danger to people.  They are not naturally aggressive to humans, but like all wild animals, they may defend themselves if they feel threatened or cornered.  It is very rare for foxes to venture inside, although juveniles may do so if they see an open door or a bowl of pet food for example.

It is very rare for a fox to attack a cat.  Most of the time they simply ignore each other.  Foxes are also quite small so they pose no threat to dogs.  Foxes natural prey includes small birds and mammals so given the chance they will eat pet rabbits, guinea pigs or chickens.  Make sure these pets are protected and kept in secure hutches or enclosures.  Laying a rabbit proof wire underneath the enclosure would prevent a fox from digging it's way in.

Foxes are unlikely to spread disease to people or pets and rabies was eradicated in Britain in 1922.  The most common disease of the fox is canine mange - if it's left untreated it can lead to death in a few months.  However, it cannot easily transfer to humans or cats.

Other sources of help - The Fox Project is the UK's foremost information centre for practical advice on fox deterrence.  They can be contacted on 01892 826222, or on the internet at www.foxproject.org.uk  The National Fox Welfare Society can provide information on deterrence and assistance on homeopathic mange treatment.  They can be contacted on 01933 411996 or on the internet at www.nfws.org.uk

Some pest control companies will kill foxes, but the costs of this work are very considerable.  if you decide to employ someone to kill a fox on your property you need to understand that you will be respoonsible for the costs of killing and disposing of the animal.  If you wish to do this, pest control companies often advertise in local newspapers and publication such as Yellow Pages or Thompson Local Directory.