Pest control

Make sure the pest is a rat and not a mouse:

• mice will need a different treatment. Mice are much smaller and have droppings the size of a grain of rice. Rat droppings are about the size of a bean.
• more information on the differences between rats and mice.

Signs you have rats: 

• droppings - rat droppings are dark, shaped like jellybeans and about 1-2cm long. Don't confuse them with mouse droppings which are much smaller. 
• gnaw marks on cables, furniture, walls and skirting boards, and bricks. 
• torn bags of food. 
• sounds of scratching, gnawing and scuttling around. 

Before our visit you must carry out the following preparations: 

• clear away anything that might get in our way, for example clutter on the floor

After our visit make sure you: 

• rat proof your home, by filling in entry holes such as gaps around pipes or broken air-bricks
• clean the floor regularly so there aren't any crumbs to attract rodents
• check your compost bin is not attracting rats

As a resident, it's your responsibility to deal with any rat issues on your property. However, if you believe rats are coming from your neighbour's property, you can report this to our Crime, Enforcement & Regulations team. 

Book

• book a rat treatment
• rat post-treatment advice leaflet

Make sure the pest is a mouse and not a rat:

• check the pest is a mouse and not a rat as mice will need different treatments - mice are much smaller and their droppings are about the size of a grain of rice, while rat droppings are about the size of a bean
• more information on the differences between mice and rats.

Signs you have mice:

• mouse droppings, which are often black, about the size and shape of a grain of rice, found under the kitchen sink, behind the fridge or under furniture - don't confuse them with rat droppings, which are much larger
• a strong smell like urine
• smears on walls - this is where mice have touched the wall with their oily fur
• damage to stored food in cupboards
• gnaw marks

Before our visit you must: 

• check the pest is a mouse and not a rat. Rats will need different treatments. Mice are much smaller and their droppings are about the size of a grain of rice, while rat droppings are about the size of a bean
• clear away any potential obstacles to our treatments, for example clutter on the floors

After our visit make sure you:

• mouse proof your home, by filling in entry holes such as gaps around pipes or broken air-bricks
• clean all floor areas routinely to deny rodents access to crumbs

Book

• book mouse treatment
• mice post-treatment advice leaflet

Signs you have bedbugs include: 

• red, irritating bites, typically in rows on your neck, shoulders, back, legs or arms
• small brown clusters of black dots on the bed, upholstery or mattress 
• small blood smears on the bed or headboard
• small reddish-brown insects, in and around your bed or sleeping area

Before our visit you must: 

• remove all bed linen from the bed
• take down any curtains or net curtains
• empty any wardrobes or drawers in the rooms to be treated - especially divan bed drawers
• remove stored items from the floors and clear everything from under the bed
• wash all bed linen, curtains, clothing and other washable items at the hottest temperature recommended by the manufacturer. If it needs to be dry cleaned, do so before using it again or putting it away
• clean the room thoroughly. Empty the vacuum cleaner directly into the dustbin or change the bag after cleaning
• make sure the room is clear enough for us to move the beds and furniture easily

Failure to do so means we'll be unable to carry out the treatment and you will lose your fee.

• how to prepare for bedbugs treatment

After our visit: 

• people and pets must not enter the room until the insecticide is dry

• be aware that after your property has been treated, you may need to leave the premises for a couple of hours.

• allow at least 14 days for the insecticide to work before vacuuming the carpet or cleaning the treated area

Book

• book bedbugs treatment
• bedbugs after treatment advice leaflet

Signs you have cockroaches include: 

• you may spot a cockroach - they are nocturnal, so you're only likely to see them at night
• droppings or egg casings
• an unpleasant musty or oily odour
• damage to food packaging

Before our visit you must: 

• clear away anything that might get in the way of our treatments, for example clutter on the floor

After our visit: 

• make sure pets and children are kept away from the bait during treatment. If you suspect accidental poisoning, please call 999
• do not leave food or dirty dishes out overnight
• do not leave household rubbish out. Use containers with lids and a bin with a lid
• do not leave pet food down. Remove it after your pet has eaten
• make sure you clean up food spillages immediately
• clean surfaces regularly

Book

• book cockroach treatment
• cockroaches after treatment advice leaflet

Wasps are not always considered pests. They are good for gardens and keeping other garden pests under control. But they can nest in the house and be a nuisance and a danger. Before you book, please consider how big a problem the nest is causing. Could you leave it alone?

Before contacting us you must make sure that the nest is on your property and you must be able to identify where the wasps are entering your property.

Book

• book wasp treatment
• wasp after treatment advice leaflet

If you are a tenant, contact your housing office or landlord before booking. Before booking an appointment, please make sure we can access the area that needs treatment. Unfortunately we cannot treat flat roofs or inaccessible storage areas.

Book

• book squirrel treatment
• squirrels post-treatment advice leaflet

Before our visit you must: 

• remove all items from the floor of the rooms to be treated
• move all furniture from the edges of the room so we can get to the walls
• vacuum all carpets and rugs and clean all carpet-free floor areas - pay particular attention to areas where pets may sleep or where the sun may heat an area of floor. Empty the vacuum cleaner straight into the dustbin or change the bag after cleaning
• if you have a pet, treat it with an approved formulation - wash and clean any pet bedding

If you don't do the above we won't be able to carry out the treatment and you will lose your fee.

• how to prepare for flea treatment

After our visit make sure you: 

• people and pets must not enter the room until the insecticide is dry
• be aware that after your property has been treated, you may need to leave the premises for a couple of hours
• do not vacuum the carpets or clean the treated area for at least 14 days, this allows the insecticide time to work

Book

• book flea treatment
• fleas post-treatment advice leaflet

Tropical ants such as pharaoh ants require a professional treatment for effective control. The treatment uses worker ants to carry bait back to their nests which can be hidden in the fabric of the building and are not usually directly accessible. 

Most pharaoh ant treatments will require a programme of visits over a period of time. Three is the minimum number of visits, but the treatment could take several months. 

Book

• book pharaoh ants treatment
• pharaoh ants after treatment advice leaflet

We can provide treatment for garden ants and we will also give you advice on how to proof your home from future entry of these pests into your home, such as ensuring entry holes for the insects are filled in. 

Book

• book a garden ants treatment
• garden ants after treatment advice leaflet

Before our visit you must: 

• clear floors and move furniture into the centre of the room so we can treat the walls
• vacuum all carpets and rugs and clean all carpet-free floor areas - pay particular attention to areas where moth larvae might hide unnoticed
• empty the vacuum cleaner directly into the dustbin or change the bag after cleaning
• empty kitchen cupboards so we can inspect the area and carry out a targeted treatment
• make sure no people or pets enter the room until the insecticide is dry

If you don't do the above, we won't be able to carry out the treatment and you will lose your fee.

If you can identify the type of moth it will help us find out how they entered the property. Try to find a sample to show the technician when they arrive. Some moths are found in foods, so removing the source of the problem will help in preventing them spreading.

• how to prepare for moth treatment

After our visit make sure you: 

• people and pets must not enter the room until the insecticide is dry
• be aware that after your property has been treated, you may need to leave the premises for a couple of hours
• do not vacuum the carpets or clean the treated area for at least 14 days to allow the insecticide time to work

Book

• book a moth treatment
• moths after treatment advice sheet

Before our visit you must: 

• make sure we can get to all the areas where there are beetles by moving furniture and household items out of the way.
• vacuum all carpets and rugs and clean all carpet-free floor areas especially where beetles might be hiding. Empty the vacuum cleaner straight into the dustbin or change the bag after cleaning. 
• empty any kitchen cupboards so we can inspect them. 
• people and pets must leave the rooms while we treat them and not return until the insecticide is dry. Cover fish tanks and all electrical appliances. 

If you can identify the type of beetle, it will help us find out how it entered your property. Try to find a sample to show us when we visit. 

• how to prepare for beetles treatment

After our visit: 

• do not vacuum the carpets or clean the treated area for at least 14 days to allow the insecticide time to work.
• some beetles are found in food. Removing the source of the problem will help prevent them spreading.

Book

• book beetles treatment
• beetles post-treatment advice leaflet

We do not deal with urban foxes as a pest. Please visit our animal welfare page on how to deter foxes, or get further advice on urban foxes from the Greater London Pest Liaison Group. 

This species of ladybird is not native to the UK but originates from north eastern Asia. By 2004 they had arrived in the south east of England gradually spreading north throughout the country.

The female can lay over 1000 eggs so they can sometimes be found in great numbers especially when they're looking to hibernate. They are not harmful to humans, pets or property. They don't carry disease, they are not poisonous and they don’t breed indoors.

Some people see them as a benefit because they can help control garden pests like aphids, however they do pose a threat to our native species such as the two or seven spot ladybirds. Also harlequin ladybirds are more likely to bite - usually when they're searching for food, being handled or when you've turned the central heating on and woken them up from hibernation.

Control

Harlequin ladybirds usually find their way into houses through doors, windows or cracks and crevices around the exterior of the building. They are attracted to lighter colours such as white, grey or yellow but may also be attracted by warmer temperatures or lighting. 

They'll normally leave on their own, but there are some steps you can take:

• eliminate points of entry - fill any small cracks, holes or gaps around door or window frames
• fit a fine metal mesh over airbricks (on the outside and/or the inside of your home) to help to keep them out and stop them coming back the following autumn/winter
• remove chemical traces - ladybirds leave pheromones behind to attract other ladybirds, so wipe down any areas where they've been with water and mild detergent, and wash them regularly - especially from spring to late autumn as this is when adults emerge from hibernation
• spray an insecticide before they come indoors - use a fast acting residual synthetic pyrethroid spray or general insecticide spray (please note pyrethroid is an active ingredient). The spray stops them coming in, so if you wait until after they're indoors, it won't work.
• cover window and door frames with the spray thoroughly, along with any places where pipes or wires come through the wall
• follow the safety instructions on the container and wash your hands thoroughly after use. Don't spray insecticide if you have asthma. Don't spray it near goldfish or any other aquatic pets.
• pick up any dead ladybirds with a vacuum cleaner or dustpan and brush
• pay special attention of windows and lighting fixtures as the ladybirds are attracted to light

Pest control companies will treat for harlequin ladybirds if you have very large numbers in your home but might be reluctant to do so as they won't be able to guarantee they can eliminate the ladybirds for any length of time, and it can be costly. They will be able to treat the ladybirds you can see wandering around but not the ones that are hibernating.

• harlequin ladybirds information sheet

We don't treat infestations of pigeons or other birds but we do carry out cleaning and proofing works to lessen health risks from pigeon fouling or roosting.  

Contact us for further advice. If the birds are roosting and fouling in a communal area you should contact your managing agent or housing office. They can then discuss the issues with us.

• birds information sheet

We don't deal with bees as a pest as they are vital to the local ecosystem. Visit the British Beekeepers Association to find a list of local beekeepers or call local beekeeper Mark Emptage on 07768 860999 for information and advice.

• flies information sheet

• mites information sheet

Booklice are generally an outdoor creature but they sometimes invade the home (usually in contaminated food).

They're harmless to humans and are usually only a nuisance as they contaminate food, and plant based or animal based products but can get out of control and damage delicate materials such as books and furs.

Booklice prefer high humidity as they thrive on the types of bacteria, yeast, mould, and algae that are associated with damp conditions. They can be seen swarming over furnishings and around bathroom suites and tiles. They will even infest damp plaster on walls and ceilings.

Control

Remove the food from your kitchen cupboards, inspect it and throw away infested items. Put food that's free of booklice in airtight containers. You can then spray the cupboards - but they must be dry to the touch before you put the food back. You should keep the food in containers, so it doesn't touch the cupboard surfaces.

Also spray the floor and any other areas where you've seen the booklice. You might have to keep applying the spray for some time before you'll see any results. Always follow the manufacturers' instructions on the container.

Make every effort to remove and control any mould or algae around baths and sinks. The most effective way to deal with booklice is to change the environment from a damp one to a dry one.

• booklice information sheet

• other common pests information sheet

We do not deal with bats - they're protected by law. For advice on bats please contact the Bats Conservation helpline on 0845 1300 228 or visit the Bats Conservation Trust.