PEST CONTROL IN THE BOROUGH OF POOLE

The Borough of Poole has a duty, as do all Local Authorities, to ensure that its district is kept free from rats and mice. Under The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 the local authority will periodically carry out inspections to ensure the above.

They also have a duty to destroy rats and mice on any land which they are the owner of. The local authority will also require other land owners to take such steps as are necessary to ensure that their land is kept free of rats and mice.

The act only applies to rats and mice. If the local authority become aware that rats or mice are living on any land they may serve a notice on the owner of the land requiring them to take steps for the destruction of the rats or mice.

If the owner of any land fails to comply with the requirements of the notice, the local authority may carry out those works in default and recover any costs reasonably incurred.

If the local authority become aware that rats and mice are found in several houses neighbouring each other, they may treat the houses as one unit, and take the necessary action themselves to destroy the rats or mice. The costs incurred by the authority will then be apportioned among those residents affected.

Environmental and Consumer Protection Services offer a service for the treatment or rats and mice. This service currently costs £62 for a course of treatment involving up to 4 visits. Private pest control companies offer a similar service and details of these can be found in Yellow Pages.

We do investigate complaints relating to rats and mice and such investigations are free. Once the source of the rodents has been determined treatment can commence.

If you would like any further information please contact Environmental and Consumer Protection Services and speak to Nick Hill, Principal Officer on 261784.

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