Article: Animals - pest control Article Body Every household may suffer from pests sooner or later. Modern, centrally heated homes can offer an especially inviting shelter during the cold winter months. Open windows and doors during the summer are an invitation for pest to come in and investigate possible food sources. Wherever we live, pests can be a year-round problem and are not restricted to either rural or urban areas. From insects to rodents, pests come in all shapes and sizes. Some look unpleasant, although most are harmless. However, there are a few pests that can cause more than a nuisance and these should be dealt with promptly because they can pose a risk to your health. Many household nuisance pests can be dealt with using humane traps or chemicals, available in high street shops. Sometimes, it is advisable to call in the experts to solve a persistent problem. The Pest Control team within Regulatory Services deals with all aspects of pest control, giving advice and providing a quality service to the residents and local businesses in Barnsley. We can deal with and/or give advice on the following: Rats Mice Fleas Cockroaches Bedbugs Wasp nests Ants Flies Silverfish Squirrels Moles Pigeons Pest control in food businesses Regulations require food businesses to take all reasonable precautions to prevent food pests, namely rats, mice, cockroaches and flying insects, gaining entry into food storage and preparation areas. This is to prevent the contamination of foodstuffs. Any gaps and holes to external doors, windows, pipes, drains and so on must be filled or covered with a solid, durable material in order to minimise pest entry points into food preparation and storage areas. If flying pests are likely to be a problem, windows will need to be fitted with insect-proof screens which can be easily removed for cleaning. Electric insect killers should be situated in an area away from main light sources and food preparation surfaces. Insecticidal aerosol sprays should not be used in food preparation areas because of the risk of chemical contamination to food. Manufacturers'/ suppliers' advice should always be sought prior to using insecticides yourself. You should regularly check for any evidence of pests. To control some pests, such as cockroaches, you need a regular pest control treatment programme. Legislation Public Health Act 1936 & 1961 Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 Food Safety Act 1990 Food Safety Regulations 1995 Who can use the service Pest control services are available to residents and local businesses in the Barnsley area. How to use the service If you would like help or advice with a pest control issue, you can contact the service for advice. If this does not enable you to resolve the problem, we can advise you if there is a charge for treating the pest in question and arrange for a Pest Control Officer to attend if you wish. Commercial contracts can be priced up and a competitive quote provided for a flexible treatment to suit your specific needs. What happens next On receipt of notification, we usually provide a next working day service for public health pests such as rats, fleas and mice (inside properties). Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee this, nor what time we will be able to attend. Where treatment is being undertaken we will provide full written information as to the extent and type of treatment and instructions as to the safety of pesticides. Some treatments are for one visit, some are for a fixed number of visits. Contact information Barnsley Council Regulatory Services PO Box 602 Barnsley S70 9FB Our office hours are 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Friday. Telephone: 01226 772468, Fax: 01226 775699 Email: regulatoryservices@barnsley.gov.uk The Barnsley Connects office at the Civic on Eldon Street, Barnsley, is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (10am to 5pm on Wednesday). Location map of the Town Centre. Application forms You can complete our online form to request a treatment visit Charges For details of our charges please see our Pest Control Prices page. If you apply for this service online you will need to pay using a debit or credit card ( you can apply online here). If you contact the help line or visit a Barnsley Connects service centre, you will be sent an invoice which can be paid by cash, postal order or cheque at one of our Barnsley Connects service centres. Further information How the customer can help You can help us by telling us about the nature and location of the problem, along with information on when we can gain access to the premises in question. Contact telephone numbers are essential. Should you to wish to make any changes to the arrangements we make, please contact us as soon as possible by telephone. Report problems as soon as you notice them - they can get worse very quickly if left. Never leave waste or food items outside - ensure all rubbish is securely contained where pests cannot get at it, prior to collection. Leaflets A useful printed leaflet 'Pests in Business Premises' is published in English, Urdu, Turkish, Bangladeshi and Cantonese, available from BPCA Publications. Out of Hours Procedure No out of hours procedure for this service, although we endeavour to respond to emergencies such as a live rat trapped inside a house, where possible. Chargeable contracts can be arranged for out of hours work. Frequently asked questions Does the council provide pesticides for DIY use? No Will the council be able to identify the insect I have found? Yes, if you can arrange for it to be delivered to the office it will then be sent away for identification. It must be dead when sent, and securely contained, and marked "pest specimen". Will the council remove dead rats? Only if undertaking a treatment programme at that premises, and it is easy and practicable to do so Do the council destroy swarms of bees? No, but we hold a list of beekeepers who may offer to collect the swarm. Local pest control companies are listed online in the Yellow Pages. The council does not endorse or recommend particular private companies, but does recommend you use a member of the British Pest Control Association (BPCA). You can search the BPCA Directory of Contractors for reputable private companies which are BPCA members and abide by the Association's Code of Practice and Code of Conduct. Related Links Yellow Pages British Pest Control Association