Pest control

We deal with a range of problems quickly and efficiently using fully qualified officers.

Appointments and treatments

We aim to make an appointment within two working days but it may take longer in the busy summer months. We don't have an emergency out of hours service but treatments for wasps affecting schools, disabled people or people with allergic reactions will be treated urgently during normal office hours.

Treatments usually require between one and four visits.

Pests we treat

  • wasps
  • rats and mice
  • fleas and insects
  • ants
  • grey squirrels

If you are suffering from rats or mice caused by someone else, please email us at environmentalprotection@harrogate.gov.uk or call us on 01423 500600, as we will investigate the source of the rodent problem and may be able to help.

Prices are available on enquiry. If upon a site visit, no treatment is needed a call out fee will still be charged.

Wasps
Wasp nests are usually dealt with by a single treatment by spraying the entrance of the nest.

Rats and mice
Treatments are usually spread over a month to six weeks. During this time, the pest control officer will make enough visits to complete the treatment. Usually they'll need access to the property so a key holder needs to be present. A risk assessment will decide which treatment is used and it can be affected by the presence of children or pets. We will clarify which pest you have during your treatment.

Fleas and insects
If you can't identify the insect causing the infestation, you can ask a pest control officer to phone you. They might be able to identify the insect over the phone or arrange to inspect a specimen in a sealed jar. Advice over the phone is free, but there's a call out charge if the officer visits but delivers no treatment.

Bees
Bees aren't generally regarded as pests. If a swarm of honey bees is a nuisance, we'll try to put you in touch with a local beekeeper, who may take them away. Harrogate and Ripon Beekeepers Association website has more information on honey bees.

Ants
Treatment can be provided for ants, but complete extermination can't be guaranteed.

Squirrels
Red squirrels are a protected species and therefore not considered to be a nuisance or a pest. Grey squirrels can be treated, but only if found inside buildings, usually the loft space. The pest control officer will advise you on your options.

Retreatments

Sometimes, treatments need to be reapplied to fully get rid of a pest, and new pests sometimes take over the space left empty by the eradicated pest. Our officers will decide whether the return of a pest is the same one requiring retreatment, which is free, or a new pest infestation needing a new treatment, which will have to be paid for.

Please contact us on 01423 500600.

Do you need a pest control contract?

Contracts are available to both businesses and domestic customers who have regular pest problems. Please call 01423 500600 to speak to a pest control officer about your requirements.

Pests we don't treat

  • badgers (protected species)
  • bats (protected species)
  • birds (including pigeons)
  • feral cats
  • foxes
  • moles
  • personal infestations (such as body lice - see your GP)
  • rabbits
  • woodworm (get a commercial treatment)

Report a rodent sighting

If you spot a rodent on your own or somebody else's property, contact our environmental protection team on 01423 500600 or email environmentalprotection@harrogate.gov.uk. We can investigate the source of the rodent problem and may be able to help.

We have the power to make sure that people deal with rodents, such as rats and mice, in or on their property.

Please provide details of where and when you saw the rodent.

Other animal nuisances include:

  • dead animals - large mammals (bigger than cats) will be removed from public land and streets
  • bird flu - if you find five or more dead wild birds in the same place, read government guidelines and call the DEFRA helpline on 0345 933 5577
  • dog fouling - this is a health risk and we respond to reports from the public
  • stray dogs - we collect the dog and return it to its owner; kennel fees will be charged

By law, residents have a duty to keep their own property free of pests.

Book and pay for pest control treatments

Environmental protection enquiries and issues

Terms and conditions

  1. The use of the services covered by these terms and conditions is deemed to be acceptance of these terms and conditions in their entirety.
  2. The council reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time by giving the customer one month's notice.
  3. References to statutory provisions include those statutory provisions as amended or re-enacted.
  4. Delays to the services may apply (1) during inclement weather, (2) in cases of operational difficulty or (3) any event or circumstance which is outside of the council's reasonable control (a 'force majeure' event) and shall include war, civil war, armed conflict or terrorism, strikes, lockouts or other industrial actions, riot, fire, flood and earthquake, pandemics (including Covid-19 and its subsequent variants) and epidemics. For the purposes of these terms and conditions, (1) - (3) above are defined as an Event or Circumstance.
  5. The council is not responsible for delays outside of its control. If the supply of the services is delayed by an Event or Circumstance outside its control, the customer will be contacted as soon as possible to be informed about the delay. The council will take steps to minimise the effect of the delay.
  6. Pest officers will only enter premises where there is an adult on site aged 18 or over.
  7. The council does not accept any responsibility for loss, damage or injury to pets, goods or equipment at the time of the visit unless caused by the negligence of an employee of the council.
  8. Should the pest control equipment placed on site as part of the specified treatment be tampered with, or advice provided not adhered to, pest officers will not revisit without a further payment to the council.

March 2021