Pest Control (Frequently asked questions)

Contact Us:

Telephone: (023) 9244 6017

Email: customer.services@havant.gov.uk

Visit: Customer Services reception in the atrium of the Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, Havant PO9 2AX

 

A pest control service is required to respond to complaints all around the Borough both in domestic and commercial premises. Pests are often a major factor in food complaints and may subsequently lead to food premises closures and prosecutions. It is essential that pests are controlled to prevent damage to buildings and fittings, distress to inhabitants/customers and the spread of disease.

 

 

Havant Borough Councils pest control team consists of a pest control foreman who manages two pest control operatives. These rapidly respond to the everyday pest complaints made by members of the public and may also assist commercial premises. They deal with complaints concerning pests that represent a possible threat to human health. The type and intensity of complaints varies throughout the year but typical complaints involve rodents and insects.

 

 

All pests require food, shelter, warmth and security. If these factors are removed the pests will no longer survive. For the destruction of pests various methods may be used. In order to determine the most effective method of pest control to be used an in depth knowledge of the species involved and its life cycle is required. Physical methods such as electronic fly killers or rodent traps may be used or alternatively chemicals such as pesticides or types of poison may be used. However it is imperative that all persons using these control methods are suitably trained.

 

 

Adequate design/maintenance of buildings: Possible harbourage conditions should be kept to a minimum. For example gaps in cavity walls and access to cupboards. All structural damage should be repaired immediately. For example holes in walls and damaged insulation should be repaired and sealed as soon as possible.

 

The likelihood of pests gaining entry to a building should be kept to a minimum by proofing likely entry points. In particular doors, the drainage system, and ventilation openings. For example doors should be self-closing, the drainage system should have tight fitting inspection covers and windows should be fitted with insect screens.

 

The removal of water sources is particularly important in the case of rats. Common sources include defective gutters, leaking taps and defective roofs. The access of pests to food sources can be minimised by storing food correctly. This can be achieved by storing food off the floor, leaving adequate gangways allowing for inspection and cleaning, using appropriate storage containers to deny pest access and lessen the chance of spillage and inspecting new stock on arrival.

 

You can use a commercial pest control company to get rid of pests, and for food premises this is the best method. Be sure to use a reputable company which is a member of the British Pest Control Association ( BPCA ) or the National Pest Technicians Association ( NPTA ). Contact the BPCA on tel: 0870 609 2687 or website: http://www.bpca.org.uk/  or the NPTA on their website: http://www.npta.org.uk/

 

 

The majority of the pest complaints received by the pest control team arise from rodents (rats and mice). To find out more about these and other pests, click on the relevent pest:-