Pest Control

Pests represent a potential health hazard. There are many reasons why pests may grow in number - mild winters and warm summers, improved heating in homes, increased litter including food waste, inadequate treatment.

Stroud District Council has a pest control team, which can offer advice to residents and businesses on actions they can take themselves to get rid of pests. They also undertake specific treatment work in homes and business premises.

We treat both domestic and commercial premises for rats, mice and some types of insects. Rats are treated free of charge in domestic premises but all other treatments have to be paid for with some exemptions or reductions for people on benefits. We also provide an annual contract service for commercial premises including farms and can provide free quotations for this service. For more detail, please visit our FAQ section on Pest control.

We have a series of information leaflets about common household pests. Go to our Pests and Pest Control Information page for more information

Rat Facts

Did you know that the most common reason rats are attracted to people's gardens is from the feeding of wild birds? Food left on the ground over night or spilt from tables and hanging feeders is easily accessible to rats so:-

• Use a bird-table or hanging feeders with a wide tray underneath to catch spillages. A ground feeding tray is preferable to putting food directly on the ground, since it is easier to keep clean. Food on the ground should all be removed before nightfall.
• Monitor your food supply carefully. If the food takes days to clear, either from containers or the ground, reduce the amount of food offered.
• Keep bird-tables and surrounding areas clean and free from droppings or mouldy food,
• Avoid putting refuse sacks out the night before collection.
• If you compost waste use a compost bin with a tight fitting lid and look out for signs of rat holes around the base.

Contact Pest Control

Tel: 01453 754 919
Email: environmental.health@stroud.gov.uk