Pest control

Our qualified, experienced staff can offer a range of pest control services to homes and businesses within the Falkirk Council area.

We treat the problem using equipment and controlled pesticides, to keep you safe and minimise damage to the environment.

There is a charge for the treatment of wasps, insects and vermin.

Households

Residents in receipt of benefits will be eligible to a 50% discount.

Wasps

Cost: £50.50

What is covered by the cost:

• An initial visit, including treatment, if required
• A further treatment after 14 days, only if the problem persists
• Thereafter any calls for service will incur a further charge

We only treat wasps' nests from the outside of the property. The homeowner does not need to be in when we treat the nest as long as we have access to all the outside areas, for example the back gate is left unlocked.

Wasp nests will generally not be viable to treat before July each year and sightings are more likely to be either Bees or Masonry Bees between April and June. The Pest Control service will not treat Bees. Therefore, any calls for wasps resulting in Pest Control attendance will result in a charge whether treatment is provided or not.

If you are unsure whether you have wasps or bees, please either call first on 01324 506070 or send visuals to wasteservices@falkirk.gov.uk.

Insects

Cost: £58.00

What is covered by the cost:

• An initial visit where the Pest Control officer will gather evidence, identify or forward the insect for verification and offer preparation advice.
• The charge includes a treatment, if required.
• A further treatment after 28 days, only if the infestation persists.

No treatment will be offered if the area is not prepared as instructed.

Vermin

Cost: £57.00

What is covered by the cost:

• An initial visit, including treatment, if required.
• A vermin proofing examination with advice on any actions required.
• Further treatment until the infestation is eradicated - with a limit of 3 visits per paid treatment request.
• Thereafter any additional visits or calls for service will incur a further charge.

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Businesses

How much does it cost for businesses?

We request businesses contact us to discuss their individual requirements. Please email Waste Services:

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What we can't treat

There are pests we can not treat:

• Ants
• Bats (all species of bat found in the UK are protected by law)
• Bees (we only treat bees if their presence causes a serious risk to public health)
• Birds (including gulls, pigeons, seagulls)
• Booklice (woodworm)
• Cats (including feral cats)
• Cluster flies
• Earwigs
• Flies (including bluebottles)
• Foxes
• Moles
• Moths
• Snails/slugs
• Squirrels
• Woodlice (slaters)

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Report a pest problem

There are some jobs, which may be too large or specialised for our officers to deal with. If this is the case, it is the responsibility of the householder to arrange a private pest control company to deal with the problem.

Please note some nests can be difficult to reach if they are too high, and we may not be able to treat them.

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Keeping your house and business pest free

A few top tips to help keep your home and business pest free:

• Wipe kitchen surfaces, clean up any food, and throw away uneaten pet food waste
• Keep foodstuffs covered
• Keeping your home ventilated, by regularly opening windows for example, helps prevent bug breeding grounds – fresh air prevents warm, humid areas being created
• Block up any cracks and crevices
• Keep an eye on your pets - fleas are common and can be managed by the use of flea treatments.

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Controlling pests yourself

There are things you can do to control pests (insects or animals causing harm or nuisance) on your property.

If you choose to control the pests yourself, you can:

• only trap or kill permitted animals
• use permitted methods to kill animals
• only use poison to kill the pests it's intended for - this will be written on the packaging
• only use traps that have been approved for use with the species you want to control - you must follow the instructions for use

You can be fined or imprisoned if you cause unnecessary harm to any animal.

Get professional advice if you don't know:

• which animals you're permitted to trap or kill
• how to use control methods (eg traps and poisons) correctly

The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) lists what you can use to control specific pests.

Protecting other wildlife from harm

You must protect other animals from traps or poison you put down for pests by:

• placing lethal traps under cover or so that other animals and birds aren't caught
• preventing wildlife from eating poison you've put down

It's an offence to disturb or destroy bats, or any place they're living (roosting), even if it's inside your home.

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Frequently asked questions