Pest Control

Summary

 

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 during the summer invite other pests in, to 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, and many 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 deals with all aspects of pest control, giving advice and providing a quality service to the residents and local businesses in Barnsley.

The Pest Control Team is made up of fully trained Pest Control Officers and other professional officers.  They are available to give advice and offer a quality, cost-effective service.  Some treatments are free to householders, others are available as a one off chargeable visit or by taking out an annual contract service, to both residents and businesses within the Borough. We can deal with and/or give advice on the following:

• Rats
• Mice
• Fleas
• Cockroaches
• Bedbugs
• Wasps Nests
• Ants
• Flies
• Silverfish
• Squirrels
• Moles
• Pigeons

 Pest Control in Food Business

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 etc. 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.

 

Eligibility

 

Pest Control services are available to residents and local businesses in the Barnsley area.

 

Procedure

 

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, the Service 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 privided, for a flexible treatment to suit your specific needs.

 

Helplines

 Regulatory Services, Environmental Control Team: 01226 772468.
Email: Regulatory Services

 

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.

Charges / Fees

 Rats inside / outside and mice inside domestic houses are free to residential occupiers. Other pest treatments are offered at a charge, as are treatments for commercial organisations (this includes landlords of rented accommodation).  Contact us for details.

Fees are usually revised in April.

Payment by invoice.  By cash, postal order or cheque.

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.

 

Opening Times/Locations

Our office at the Civic Hall on Eldon Street, Barnsley, is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

Application Forms

Not applicable.

Leaflets

A useful printed leaflet 'Pests in Business Premises' is published in English, Urdu, Turkish, Bangladeshi and Cantonese, available from BPCA Publications.

Distribution Points

Not applicable.

Legislation

•  Public Health Act 1936 & 1961
• Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949
• Food Safety Act 1990
• Food Safety Regulations 1995

 

Reponse Times / Next Steps

 

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.

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.

 

Owner Officer Contact Details

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Regulatory Services
PO Box 602
Barnsley
S70 9FB
Phone: Regulatory Services 01226 772468
Email: Regulatory Services
Fax: (01226) 775699

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q Does the Council provide pesticides for DIY use?
A No

Q Will the Council be able to identify the insect I have found?
A 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".

Q Will the Council remove dead rats?
A Only if undertaking a treatment programme at that premises, and it is easy and practicable to do so.

Q Do the Council destroy swarms of bees?
A No, but we hold a list of beekeepers who may offer to collect the swarm.

 

Related Links:

• Yellow Pages
• British Pest Control Association

Last modified on 9/6/2008