Pest control - Pesticides and safety

We use a range of pesticides to treat pests and follow strict guidelines.

Safety precautions for rodent bait 

When the Pest Control Officers lay bait for rodents, they not only take into account where they believe the rodents are, but also if there are any pets or children in the household. Outdoors, bait is usually placed into locked bait stations - these only have holes in the side of them big enough for a rat - so it is extremely unlikely that any "non target" animal will be affected. In places where people and pets do not go (such as unboarded lofts) bait may be in open bait trays.

You will be left a form showing the type of rodenticide used and should ensure that you do not interfere with any of the baiting stations. The bait used contains a chemical to make it unpleasant for humans to eat and it is highly unlikely that a person would be able to eat enough material to pose a hazard. In an emergency, if you are concerned that bait may have been inadvertantly eaten please consult a doctor as soon as possible and present the information sheet to the doctor. The appropriate treatment will be vitamin K1.

Do not handle, touch or remove poison. Leave it to our officers to check and remove all bait.

Safety precautions for insecticide

When we treat for bedbugs, fleas etc. we do ask you to make sure all pets are out of the house, all food kept covered (especially eggs and fruit). Every person must be out of the house for a minimum of 2 hours after the treatment - 4 hours for those with any asthma or other breathing difficulties. If you follow these precautions the insecticide should not pose a risk to you or your family or pets.

Pets and children

The poisons could be harmful to pets and children if eaten directly and in large quantities.

Take pets to the vet and children to the doctor immediately. For all baits we use the antidote is Vitamin K1.

Most rodenticides we use are not secondary killer poisons which means for example: If a cat were to eat a dead poisoned rat it would not be harmed.

Contact details

For further advice contact the pest contol team on 01730 234327/8/9 before 9am or 01730 234360 after 9am, who will be happy to help you.