Pest control
See also:
If you need a pest control service
Please note: Adur & Worthing Councils do not operate our own pest control service.
As a general rule, it is an individual's responsibility to deal with the pests on their own premises.
Some can be dealt with by homeowners and business owners themselves, using products readily available from retail outlets.
However, others need special treatments and it is essential to get proper, professional advice on how to deal with them safely and quickly, without damaging the environment, affecting people's health or causing damage to the property.
The British Pest Controllers Association (BCPA) provides details of its approved members and you can search for companies in your local area. Please see the:
You can also look for pest control services on the:
Adur Homes tenants: Please note that we do not treat pests in your flat, house or garden. We will treat pests in common areas only. To report pests in a common area, please see:
Advice about pests - self help
Below is some useful advice on how you can deal with a number of different pests and the hazards they can pose:
- Bedbugs
- Bees (and find a beekeeper)
- Biscuit Beetles
- Cockroaches
- Flies
- Fleas
- Foxes
- Mice
- Pigeons (feral pigeons)
- Rats
- Seagulls (Gulls)
- Squirrels
- Wasps and hornets
Other pest information on external websites:
- Ants - on the Wikipedia website
- Bats - please note bats are protected by law - for information see:
- Booklice (Psocids/Psocoptera) - on the Wikipedia website
- Brown tail moths and caterpillars - on the Wikipedia website
- Crane fly / Daddy long legs - on the Wikipedia website
- Earwigs - on the Wikipedia website
- False widow spiders (Steatoda) - on the Wikipedia website
- Harlequin ladybirds - on the Wikipedia website
- Hornets - on the Wikipedia website
- Maybugs / Cockchafers - on the Wikipedia website
- Moles - on the Wikipedia website
- Scarlet lily beetles / Red Lily Beetles - on the Wikipedia website
- Silverfish - on the Wikipedia website
- Slugs - on the Wikipedia website
- Snails - on the Wikipedia website
- Snakes:
- Wasps - on the Wikipedia website
- Woodlice - on the Wikipedia website
Further information
The following Acts relate to Pest Control:
- Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 - on the UK Legislation website
- Protection of Animals Act 1911 - on the UK Legislation website
- Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1927 - on the UK Legislation website
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - on the UK Legislation website
There are numerous other Acts which maybe taken into consideration.
Page last updated: 28 August 2024