Pests we treat

What are rats

Rats are typically:

• larger than mice
• usually found outside
• identified by droppings around the size of a kidney bean

Noises coming from the loft are often caused by squirrels or birds rather than rats or mice.

Treatment for rats

An adult must be present throughout each visit. Treatments typically involve:

• three visits, at least one week apart
• laying baits along any rats runs and in the drainage system (if required)
• information on the bait we have used, where they are, if you need to take any special precautions
• taking measures to protect children and pets.

Preventing rat infestations

To help prevent rats entering your home, you should:

• fix any holes in your home
• remove external sources of food such as fallen apples, pears, bird food or even water
• clear old furnishings, wood and overgrowth
• keep all refuse in your 'wheelie' bin and always closing the lid
• keep compost in a bin.

Noises coming from the loft are often caused by squirrels or birds, rather than rats or mice.

What are mice

Typically, mice:

• are up to 10cm long
• have brown-grey fur on their back and lighter grey fur underneath
• have large ears
• have thin tails as long as their heads and bodies
• are smaller than rats
• are usually found inside
• have droppings the size of a grain of rice.

Treatment for mice

An adult must be present throughout each visit. Treatment typically involves:

• three visits, 7 to 10 days apart
• placing bait in marked boxes in the kitchen, under stairs and other affected areas
• an advice sheet with information about the bait used, where it was placed and any special precautions
• measures to protect children and pets.
• We will seal small holes up to the size of a golf ball with steel wool and Mouse-stop silicon or cement. 

Preventing mice infestation

Prepare your home against mice:

• closing up any holes in your property
• removing external sources of food such as fallen apples, pears, bird food, water
• clearing shelter or nesting material such as old furnishings, wood and overgrowth
• putting all refuse in your 'wheelie' bin - always close the lid.

Dead mice can be put in a plastic bag and then in the bin.

What are ants

What are bedbugs

Bedbugs are small, flat insects, around 6mm long. They are pale brown before feeding and turn reddish‑brown after feeding. Young bedbugs are almost colourless and darken as they grow.

Bedbug infestations can be hard to get rid of if they are not treated early.

Signs of bedbugs

You may have bedbugs if you notice:

• bites on your skin, often in lines or clusters
• small black spots on bedding or mattresses (droppings)
• live bugs or shed skins around your bed

Note, bites that only appear below the knee are more likely to be caused by fleas.

Where bedbugs are found

Bedbugs are often found:

• under carpets
• behind loose wallpaper
• behind wall pictures
• behind door frames
• around the arm joints of armchairs and settees
• in the seams of mattresses
• bedbugs can crawl vertically up wood, paper and plaster, but not on smooth polished surfaces

Note, bedbug droppings look like small black dots and are a common sign of an infestation. 

Treatment and cost

If you have a bedbug infestation, we will assess the severity and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

The number of visits and the cost will depend on how widespread the infestation is.

Levels of infestation

Light infestation

• Early signs such as bites or spotting on bedding
• Usually treated in 2 visits, if the technician is confident the infestation can be cleared within that time.

Heavy infestation

• Bedbugs clearly visible on the mattress, bed frame and other areas around the bed.
• Usually treated in 4 visits, where the technician considers more than 2 treatments are needed to fully clear the infestation

Extreme infestation

• Bedbugs found across multiple rooms, or throughout the property without a significant inspection
• May require a survey and a bespoke quote

Treatment

You must have an adult present during each visit. Our treatment includes:

• at least two visits, spaced two weeks apart
• treatment of affected rooms
• an advice sheet explaining which insecticide was used, where it was applied, and any precautions you need to take
• guidance on how to protect children and pets during and after treatment

Prepare your home for treatment

You must prepare your home before we visit. This is important to make sure the treatment is effective and to prevent bedbugs from spreading to other areas.

Before treatment

• remove pictures, posters, mirrors and other items from walls
• move all beds, furniture and other items away from the walls
• remove headboards from beds
• empty bed storage compartments, drawers and under-bed areas
• remove all items from under the bed
• remove bedding from the mattress
• empty wardrobes, drawers, cupboards and beds of all linen and clothing, and launder them
• place items that cannot be laundered into thick bin liners and seal them tightly
• open and shake out books, papers and other personal belongings
• thoroughly clean and vacuum all rooms, then empty the vacuum bag into an external bin immediately
• do not move anything out of the rooms to be treated, apart from rubbish and clothing that will need to be washed.

Clothing and bedding

Before the first and second visit, all clothing and bed linen must be treated in one of the following ways:

• washed at 60°C or higher, or
• tumble dried at 60°C or higher for at least 30 minutes, or
• placed in a deep freezer for at least three days, or
• dry‑cleaned

Other things to do before treatment starts

You must also:

• unplug all non‑essential electrical items
• turn off any aquarium pumps and fully cover the tank
• leave the rooms being treated and take all pets with you

After the treatment

Once the treatment is over, you should:

• wait at least three hours before re-entering the rooms
• open windows for one hour to air the rooms
• turn aquarium pumps and other electrical items back on after the rooms have been aired
• not vacuum, wipe or polish any treated rooms for at least 2 weeks
• sleep in your bed as normal - this helps to eradicate bedbugs

Note, if you plan to get a new bed, wait until the infestation has been completely eradicated. This usually takes at least two weeks, and sometimes longer.

Important

We will treat all accessible areas using a unique oil-in-water based insecticide.

The products used are designed not to stain or damage surfaces. However, we cannot guarantee that staining will not occur. Any staining is not covered by Brent Council.
This does not affect your statutory rights.

If you have an infestation of beetles, contact us to find out how we can help you to treat them.

What are cockroaches

Brent is commonly affected by Oriental and German cockroaches.

Cockroaches are typically:

• between 10 and 25mm long
• light brown, dark brown or black in colour

We provide treatment for cockroach infestations and advice on how to prepare for treatment.

Identifying cockroaches in your home

Cockroaches may be present if you notice:

• live cockroaches in kitchens, bathrooms or other warm areas
• cockroaches hiding under sinks, inside cupboards or near door hinges

Home treatments

An adult must be present throughout each visit. Treatments in your home typically involve:

Treatment in your home typically involves:

• 2 visits
• placing gel bait under sink cabinets, around door hinges and other affected areas
• a spray for intensive infested areas
• an advice sheet with information about the bait used, where it was placed and any special precautions needed
• measures to protect children and pets 

Preventing cockroach infestations

You can help prevent cockroaches by:

• filling any cracks
• reducing clutter
• cleaning pet droppings with detergents and disinfectant
• putting dead cockroaches in a plastic bag and in your wheelie-bin
• cleaning up all food debris from floors, tables, cupboards and drawers

What are fleas

Bites from fleas are usually restricted to below the knees, bites more evenly distributed on the human body are more frequently caused by bedbugs.

An adult must be present throughout each visit. Treatments in your home typically involve:

To prepare your home before we arrive:

All treated areas should not be cleaned, polished or vacuumed for two weeks after the treatment.

What are moths

The clothes moth is the most common fabric moth.

• Adults are golden with reddish golden hairs on top of the head.
• Their wings span around half an inch and are fringed with a row of golden hairs.

Where are they found?

Because these moths are weak flyers and not attracted to light, you can find them close to the infested items, such as in dark areas of closets.

The larva is the damaging stage of the clothes moth and feeds on:

• wool clothing
• carpets
• rugs
• upholstered furniture
• furs
• stored wool
• animal bristles in brushes
• wool felts in pianos
• fish meal in fish food
• cotton, when blended with wool

Signs of clothes moths damages

Damages usually appear in hidden areas of your clothes such as:

• under collars
• under cuffs
• in crevices of upholstered furniture
• in carpet areas covered by furniture
• in fabrics with food stains, perspiration, or urine.

Home treatments for moths

An adult must be present before we start the treatment. You will have to leave your property during the treatment and return at least three hours later. Treatments in your home involve:

• two visits, three weeks apart
• treating all affected rooms
• an advice sheet with information about the insecticide used, where we placed it and any special precautions needed.

Preparing your home for moth treatment

We may not be able to treat your home if you do not carryout the following:

Before the treatment you should:

• vacuum the whole house, especially areas where you have seen damages such as baseboards, cracks and crevices - dispose of the bag immediately after vacuuming
• dry clean or launder items in hot water at more than 120 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes
• put washed or dry cleaned clothes in a sealed plastic bag
• move wardrobes, cupboards and beds away from the walls
• unplug all non essential electrical items
• turn off any aquarium pumps and cover the tank.

The above steps will also need to be repeated for the second visit.

Controlling a clothes moths infestation yourself

Clothes moths may hide on woollen garments or scraps stored for long periods. In order to prevent clothes moths ensure your clothes are:

• stored properly
• periodically hung in the sun
• brushed along the seams, in folds and pockets.

Brushing destroys eggs and exposes larvae. Larvae are strongly repelled by light and will fall from clothing when they cannot find protection.

What are wasps

• have black and bright yellow bands
• have a narrow waist in the middle of a thin body
• are 10-15mm long
• have a smooth, hairless body
• are often found around rubbish and food
• feed on other insects.

Note. Bees are rounder, fatter, slower moving and hairier than wasps. The rear legs are fat and they have duller coloration. They only feed on pollen, so they are often found near flowers and plants.

Home treatments for wasps

Wasp nests are mainly active between April and October, most nest are dying off from November and may not be worth booking treatments outside of this date range. However the service is still available

An adult must be present throughout each visit. Treatments in your home involve:

• one visit
• injecting dust into the nest usually in lofts or outside under the eaves
• an advice sheet with information about the insecticide used, where it was placed and any special precautions
• taking measures to protect children and pets.

The nest will be dead in one or two days after the treatment.

Useful information

• There is no need to remove a dead or dormant nest as wasps will not return to a dead/dormant nest. However, if the nest is accessible and you would like it removed we charge £65.
• During the bee season in May and June, you should take particular care to ensure that you correctly identify whether you have bees or wasps. If you book a wasp treatment, and our pest controller discovers that you have bees, the law does not allow us to undertake a treatment and we will refund your fee minus an administrative charge.
• Wasps never return to last year's nest
• Almost all nests discovered in early spring (March and early April) are dormant nests from a previous summer. You can often avoid unnecessary expense in early spring by only booking a service if you see wasps using the nest. If not it is almost certainly a dormant nest from a previous year.