Pest Control – FAQ

What pests do you treat?

Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council provides a pest control service for domestic properties, via a contractor, (a domestic property is one for which council tax, not business rates is paid) to treat a variety of common pests including rats, mice, wasps, and other insect pests.

We do not treat for amongst other things bats, moles, slugs, snails, spiders, pigeons, rabbits, squirrels or woodworm.

Is there a charge for the service?

Treatment for rats and mice is free.

Treatment for other pests is currently £38.60 inc. vat per treatment unless you are receiving one of the benefits listed below in which case the treatment is free.

Income Support

Income Based Job Seekers Allowance

Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)

Pension credit (Savings Credit)

Housing Benefit

Council Tax Benefit

Why do I have to pay for pest control treatment when I pay my Council Tax?

There is no statutory obligation for the Council to provide a pest control service. By making a charge for some treatments the Council is able to offer a good quality, competitively priced service which is cheaper than the majority of private pest control companies. Most local authorities charge and some also charge for rats and mice.

How do I pay?

Payment is made directly to the pest control company once the treatment has been completed. Proof of benefit will be asked for by the operative if relevant.

How quickly can you respond to my problem?

Treatment or at best a 1st visit should take place within 3 working days of receiving the request and within 24 hours in the case of an emergency, such as a rat within a habitable room in the premises.

How do I arrange a call out?

By contacting the Council Offices (please see contact details below) who will pass your details to the pest control contractor. The contractor will contact you directly by telephone where possible to arrange an appointment.

How to contact us

By phone 01289 301734

By email to lh@berwick-upon-tweed.co.uk

By writing to Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council

Environmental health & Enforcement Unit (Pest Control)

Council Offices

Wallace Green

Berwick-upon-Tweed

TD15 1ED

If contacting us in writing or by email please ensure you give your name and address including postcode, type of pest, type of benefit received if relevant, and a contact telephone number.

Who will do the job:

Cannon Pest Control and the two chaps shown below are the ones you are most likely to meet.