Pest Control

The Council provides a comprehensive pest control service that can deal with a wide range of pests, including rats and mice,wasps, fleas, cockroaches and bed bugs.  We also offer advice on other common pests. You can request treatments or advice using our general service request form below. Please note that charges may apply for the pest control service.

Pests we can treat

Rats
Mice
Wasps
Fleas
Cockroaches
Bedbugs

In all of the above cases where we do generally offer pest treatments, we are unable to remove dead pests, and the householder has the responsibility to dispose of them.  Where dead pests can be reached, it is recommended that they are placed in 2 polythene bags and disposed of through the usual refuse collection system.

Our Pest Control Officers are unable to perform treatments in circumstances where their safety would be at risk, such as in certain loft spaces, or above safe working heights.  The Pest Control Officer will assess this at their first visit.

Pests we do not treat

Ants
Squirrels
Bees
Foxes
Moles
Scabies
Pigeons

Pest Control Services - General Information

Local Authorities have a duty under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 to keep their district free from rats and mice. Treatments may be carried out directly by the autority or alternatively the occupier of the premises can be required to eradicate pests by the service of a legal notice. Fortunately such formal action is rarely needed.

Swindon, like most authorities, provide a comprehensive pest control service for its residents and businesses. Some pests such as rats, mice, bedbugs and cockroaches are known to present a risk to health when infestations are present in the home or commercial premises. The risk to health is less significant where these pests are found outside and people are less likely to come into contact with them. Other pests, such as wasps, book lice, bees and ants generally only present nuisance problems rather than health risks.

Swindon Borough Council makes a charge for carrying out pest control treatments. The amount charged will depend on the type of treatment required, some customers may qualify for concessionary rates or even free treatments for certain types of pests. Commercial treatments are charged on an hourly rate or at an agreed contract rate.

We aim to provide a cost effective service that is competitive with charges levied by other Local Authorities. Our charges are reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that they remain competitive. Generally the Council’s charges for pest control services are significantly less than those charged by commercial Pest Control Companies.

Once a request for treatment is made the council aims to contact the customer within 2 days to arrange a suitable appointment for the treatment to be carried out. However it is inevitable that in some circumstances, for example where we have difficulty in making an appointment or in times of peak demand, we may not always be able to meet this high standard. Despite this we consistently achieve the target in 95% or above cases.

Please note that it may not always be possible to effectively treat a pest infestation. In such circumstances we will always provide an explanation and offer advice on the other options available to you.

You can contact us to request a Pest Control treatment, or simply for advice, on the following telephone number and email address:

Swindon Borough Council Pest Control Service
Telephone: 01793 466071
E-mail: residentialservices@swindon.gov.uk