Pest Control
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council pest control team provide a professional service for advice and treatment to a wide range of pests including:
Rats
Mice
Wasps
Bed bugs
Fleas
Cockroaches
Ants
Beetles
Silverfish
Flies
Pigeons
Pest control officers treat in privately owned residential properties and in homes rented from a range of landlord tenures such as Housing Associations and private landlords.
These treatments and investigations are carried out under the remit of The Rats and Mice Destruction Act (1919) and the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment (NI) Act (2011).
The council pest control team does not normally carry out any treatments in Commercial, non-council or voluntary sector premises (permission to be sought from EH Manager).
You can also use a commercial pest control company to get rid of pests. Should a commercial company be engaged the council would recommend that the public ensure they use a reputable company which is a member of the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) or the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA).
The council also has a wide range of leaflets and information in relation to most pest types as listed below:
Ants
Bedbugs
Bees
Booklice (Psocids)
Carpet Beetles
Cockroaches
Fleas
Flies
Foxes
Fruit Flies
Mice (Mus dsomesticus)
Rats (Rattus Norvegicus)
Silverfish
Squirrel
Wasps
Woodlice (Slaters)
The Pest Control Service also offers smoke testing of drains to investigate rodent and odour complaints.
The Council investigate feral pigeon problems and conduct educational campaigns to discourage feeding where problems occur. We also advise on the proofing of buildings to deter pigeons from roosting, and also investigate fly problems from industrial /commercial sources.
Employees are trained to a high level of expertise in accordance with health and safety regulations. We only use pesticides and methods that comply fully with the law.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have mice in my house. How long will it take to get rid of them?
If using bait this will take between 4 and 10 days. It will depend on how bad the infestation is and whether all points of entry are now sealed.
I have seen a rat in my garden what can I do?
If you see it regularly over a period of 3 – 4 days, it may live close by and bait or traps could be used. Make sure there are no sources of food or water for it.
There are birds nesting under my eaves. Can anything be done?
We do not provide a service for dealing with birds. If the birds have already laid eggs, wait until the chicks have left the nest and then try to block any holes in the eaves to prevent further nesting
My neighbour feeds feral cats and they come into my garden. How can I deter them?
We do not provide a service to deal with feral cats. There are chemical deterrents on the market or you might wish to try a water pistol. Sometimes if you have a cat of your own this is the best deterrent.
I have found a wasp’s nest in my attic. Will it be used again next year?
Wasp’s nests are only used once so if you find a large nest in the winter it will not be inhabited again.
I think my cat/dog may have fleas. What should I do?
Get a proprietary flea treatment for your pet from a vet. Look for any signs of flea presence in the house (see Fleas). Your house may need to be fumigated.
I have noticed bats flying from my roof at dusk. Could they be in my roofspace?
It is possible, but if so you cannot remove them yourself as they are a protected species. Contact us for more advice.
Can I be made to get rid of vermin on my land?
Yes. The Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act 1919 says “any person who shall fail to take such steps as may from time to time be necessary and reasonably practicable for the destruction of rats and mice on or in any land of which he is the occupier, or for preventing such land from becoming infested with rats or mice, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine”
Is there a charge for the services of the pest control officer?
Please see below.
I am a Housing Executive/ Housing Association tenant. What do I do if I have pests?
Contact your local Housing Executive/ Housing Association office to see if they can arrange for any appropriate treatment to be carried out.
CHARGES - Concessionary rate
Where a householder is a tenant or an owner occupier and the household is in receipt of income related benefits* then the service will be free (see list below)
All works to building structure must be addressed by the householder as part of the treatment regime. In the case of a tenant the landlord will normally be responsible for any remedial works and should be notified of the problem by the tenant at earliest opportunity.
Householders will be asked to show proof of qualifying documentation.
| Pest | Standard Rate | Concessionary rate* |
|---|---|---|
| Rats | £100.00 | £0.00 |
| Mice | £100.00 | £0.00 |
| Wasps | £ 75.00 | £0.00 |
| Bedbugs | £130.00 | £0.00 |
| Fleas | £130.00 | £0.00 |
| Minor Insect Treatment | £ 80.00 | £0.00 |
TREATMENT INFORMATION
| Pests Treated | Number of Visits Require | Treatment info and advice |
|---|---|---|
| Rats and mice | Three |
Treatment for rats can be internal and external, for mice treatment is internal only. Baits are removed during the final visit. The pest control officer will provide on-site assessment and advice regarding children and pet safety together with general housekeeping and verbal rodent-proofing advice |
| Wasps | One |
Old nests will not be removed as they will not be occupied again in subsequent years.The officer will provide on-site advice regarding children and pet safety together with general housekeeping advice |
| Cockroaches | Three | The pest control officer will provide on-site advice regarding children and pet safety together with general housekeeping advice. |
|
Bedbugs |
Two (both visit dates will be set at time of booking) |
The pest control officer will provide on-site advice regarding children and pet safety together with general housekeeping advice. We carry out bedbug or fleas treatments in domestic properties only. An advice sheet on the correct method of preparation can be downloaded or will be sent following booking. The treatment consists of spraying an insecticide which works rapidly and kills most insects on contact. It will continue to work for up to two months. It is recommended that all carpets are vacuumed before the treatment and avoid vacuuming again for at least two weeks after the treatment. |
| Fleas | One |
The pest control officer will provide on-site advice regarding children and pet safety together with general housekeeping advice. We carry out bedbug or fleas treatments in domestic properties only. An advice sheet on the correct method of preparation can be downloaded or will be sent following booking. The treatment consists of spraying an insecticide which works rapidly and kills most insects on contact. It will continue to work for up to two months. It is recommended that all carpets are vacuumed before the treatment and avoid vacuuming again for at least two weeks after the treatment.
|
*Income-related benefit means:
a. Universal Credit under the Welfare Reform (NI) Order 2015
b. State Pension Credit under the State Pension Credit Act (NI) 2002
c. Income Support under Section 123 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (NI) Act 1992
d. Housing Benefit under Section 129 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (NI) Act 1992
e. Income-based Jobseekers Allowance under the Jobseeker’s (NI) Order 1995
f. Income-related Employment and Support Allowance under the Welfare Reform Act (NI) 2007
g. Working Tax Credit under the Tax Credits Act 2002.
Contact details
For further detail please contact Environmental Health Service Unit using the contact details below
Environmental Health Service Unit
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
Civic Headquarters
Lagan Valley Island
Lisburn
BT27 4RL
Tel: 028 9244 7397
Email: ehealth@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk