You’re likely wondering whether you can afford your council’s pest control services. While many assume these are free, you’ll find they’re actually charged on a a per-visit basis. Costs vary drastically depending on the type of pest you’re facing and whether you’re a domestic or commercial customer. Let’s break down exactly what you’ll pay.

Do Councils Offer Pest Control Services?

Most councils don’t offer in-house pest control services anymore, though some still do—and they’ll likely charge you for it. If your council does provide pest control, you’ll typically pay a flat rate per visit, though this may not cover all necessary treatments for complete eradication.

However, you might qualify for free services if you’re receiving qualifying benefits or living in council-managed housing. Some councils outsource to private pest control companies, which means you’ll pay full market rates without any Council Tax-funded discounts.

Your best approach is contacting your local council directly to discover what pest control options they offer and whether you’re eligible for free or subsidized services based on your circumstances.

Are Local Council Pest Control Services Free?

While some councils do offer pest control services, you’ll find that free options aren’t guaranteed. Free council pest control has become increasingly rare over the years. Most councils now charge for their services, even for council-owned properties.

You may qualify for free pest control if you’re receiving specific benefits or living in a council-managed property. Otherwise, you’ll pay for treatment.

Costs vary depending on your council’s approach. If they’ve contracted a private pest control company, you’ll pay full market rates—councils can’t negotiate discounts with external providers. Councils operating in-house teams typically charge flat rates per visit, though this may not cover all necessary treatments for your infestation.

Contact your local council directly to confirm their current pricing and eligibility requirements.

Also Read: Do Ultrasonic Pest Repellers Work

Domestic Customer Charges

Different pests attract different price tags, so you’ll want to know what you’re paying for before you book a treatment.

For rodents and squirrels, you’re charged a single fee covering your call-out, follow-up visit, and final treatment. If you need re-treatment within a month, that’ll cost you an additional £50.

Wasps and hornets treatment covers one nest; each extra nest costs £10 more. Note that nest removal isn’t included.

Ant treatment includes a single visit call-out, though the council can’t handle flying ants.

For fleas, you’ll receive a call-out visit plus one follow-up appointment.

All charges include VAT, so there are no hidden costs to worry about.

Commercial Customer Charges

Are you a business owner needing pest control services? Commercial pest control charges differ from domestic rates and include VAT.

For rodents and squirrels, you’ll pay for the call out, follow-up visit, and final treatment. Re-treatment within one month costs £50 for either pest type.

Wasps and hornets charges cover your initial call out and treatment of one nest. If you’ve got multiple nests, you’ll pay an additional £14 per nest. Note that nest removal isn’t included.

Cockroach treatments include your call out and one follow-up visit.

All commercial charges are calculated separately and incorporate VAT, so factor this into your pest control budget. Contact your local council for specific pricing details on your particular pest problem.

Rodent and Squirrel Treatment Costs

Rodent and squirrel treatments carry the same pricing structure for both business and domestic customers. You’ll pay £50-£70 for your initial treatment, which includes the call-out visit, follow-up inspection, and final treatment application. If you need a re-treatment within one month, you’ll incur an additional £50 charge.

Keep in mind that councils have limitations on their service reach. They’re generally unable to treat infestations higher than the guttering of a three-storey property, so extremely elevated pest problems may fall outside their scope.

You must arrange payment before your scheduled treatment takes place. This advance payment requirement guarantees your appointment proceeds as planned without delays on the treatment day.

Wasp and Hornet Treatment Costs

How much you’ll pay for wasp and hornet nest treatment depends on your circumstances. If you’re receiving housing benefits or council tax support, you’ll pay £34.70. Otherwise, the standard charge is £69.30. This fee covers the call-out and initial treatment, but doesn’t include nest removal.

If you discover additional nests on your property, you’ll be charged £10 per nest as a domestic customer or £14 per nest if you’re a commercial customer.

The council won’t treat nests positioned higher than the guttering of a three-story property, so you may need to arrange alternative solutions for hard-to-reach locations.

You must pay before treatment begins.

Insect Treatment Charges

We’ll treat various household insects at different charge rates, each including VAT and a call-out visit. For ants, you’ll receive one treatment visit, though we’re unable to handle flying ants. Fleas and cockroaches both include a follow-up visit, ensuring thorough elimination. Beetles, flies, and harlequin ladybirds are treated in a single visit covering one infestation. If you’re dealing with multiple nests or infestations, additional treatments cost £10 per nest for domestic properties or £14 for commercial ones. Our wasp and hornet treatment covers one nest initially, with extra nests charged separately. We don’t remove nests as part of our service. Contact us to discuss your specific pest problem and receive an accurate quote.

Pest Identification Appointment Fees

If you’re unsure what pest you’re dealing with, our Pest Identification Appointment costs £39.50 including VAT. This fee covers our call-out to identify the pest at your property. You’ll need to know that we won’t refund this charge if we’re unable to identify the pest.

Once we’ve identified what you’re dealing with, additional charges may apply for treatment. The identification appointment simply determines what pest is present so you can decide how to proceed. We recommend booking an appointment if you’re uncertain about the infestation, as proper identification guarantees you receive the correct treatment and pricing information for eliminating your pest problem.

Conclusion

You’ll find that council pest control services aren’t free, but they’re reasonably priced for domestic customers. You’re looking at £50-£70 for rodent or squirrel treatment, with additional charges for re-treatment and extra wasp nests. You can also arrange a pest identification appointment for £39.50. Commercial rates differ, so you’ll want to contact your local council directly for specific pricing that matches your needs.