When you find signs of vermin in your home, it might seem obvious to call the council. In the past, most local authorities offered pest control services, and council pest control prices were often lower than those of private companies or even free.
However, over the years, councils have started outsourcing or removing their pest control services. Many also charge for pest control, and these prices are often the same as private pest control providers. With their shorter waiting lists and better range of services, companies such as Pest-Tech can seem like a better choice for many Kent homeowners.
After all, whether you’re dealing with rats, mice, wasps or other common pests, if you’re facing an infestation, you want to be sure you can get fast, cost-effective support.
Keep reading for more information on council pest control prices and how their limited services compare to ours.
Do Councils Offer Pest Control Services?
Many councils no longer offer pest control services, and that’s particularly true in Kent. Here’s a breakdown of the pest control solutions offered by councils throughout the county:
- Maidstone Borough Council: None
- Ashford Borough Council: None
- Tunbridge Wells Borough Council: None
- Swale Borough Council: None
- Dartford Borough Council: Rats, mice and wasp nests located below the gutter height of an average two-storey property
- Dover District Council: Uses a private contractor to provide the removal of rats, mice, fleas, cockroaches, ants, bed bugs, wasps and hornets
- Folkestone & Hythe District Council: Uses a private contractor to provide the removal of rats, mice, fleas, cockroaches, ants, bed bugs, wasps and hornets
- Thanet District Council: Uses a private contractor to provide the removal of rats, mice, fleas, cockroaches, ants, bed bugs, wasps and hornets
- Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council: Only provide pest control for rats and mice exclusively to those who receive council tax reduction benefits
- Gravesham Borough Council: None
- Sevenoaks District Council: None
- Canterbury City Council: None
In comparison, Pest-Tech offers pest control across Maidstone and Kent to remove:
- Ants
- Bed Bugs
- Bees
- Carpet Beetles
- Cockroaches
- Fleas
- Flies
- Foxes
- Moles
- Ladybirds
- Mice
- Carpet Moths
- Rabbits
- Rats
- Silverfish
- Spiders
- Squirrels
- Wasps
- Hornets
- Woodworm
- Pigeons
- Seagulls
- Other Pest Birds
By working with experts like the team at Pest-Tech, you can ensure that your pest issue is dealt with promptly and safely. If you’re unsure of the pest you’re dealing with, our team can assist in identifying it for you before we carry out your treatment.
Alongside pest control, we also offer services such as loft clearance, which you may also struggle to get from your local council.
Are Local Council Pest Control Services Free?
In the past, it was common to get free pest control services from the local council; however, this has changed over the years. Even those in council-owned properties might face paying to get rid of pest problems, even if they get a discount.
Today, most councils won’t provide pest control services for free unless you receive qualifying benefits or live in a property managed by the council.
If, as highlighted above, your local council doesn’t offer pest control services at all, then they can’t provide them, either for free or at a cost. Councils that use private pest control companies to provide their services aren’t able to offer discounts, so you’ll pay full market rates for the services you receive.
Councils that do have in-house pest control teams, such as Dartford, charge for pest control and will have a flat rate for each visit, depending on the pest they’re dealing with. These usually range from £49 and upwards for your first visit, but the council will be able to give you an exact fee. For this price, they will only carry out a specific treatment: if your infestation requires additional visits or more work to remove, you may have to pay extra or might not get the service you expect. Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council offer rat and mouse control for those who receive council tax reduction benefits, and this is at a reduced rate of £50.
In contrast, Pest-Tech charges depending on the size of the infestation and the treatment type needed. So, for minor pest issues, we charge a smaller fee, while for bigger problems, you will pay a higher price. With Pest-Tech, you’ll get a full quote and guidance on exactly what we’re going to do and how much it will cost. As such, you’ll know exactly what services you’re getting and at what price. You can trust that we’ll remove the infestation and ensure your property is safe for you and those you live with.
What’s The Best Way To Get Rid Of Pests Fast?
Overall, for homeowners living in Maidstone and throughout Kent, the short answer to the question of how much do the council charge for pest control is that they usually don’t. Most local authorities in Kent don’t offer pest control at all.
Those that do offer a limited service and usually charge a fee for each treatment. While some people might feel that the council is a good provider of pest control, they offer limited pest control treatments and will often charge for return visits. Because many councils are short-staffed, you might have to wait a long time for mediocre pest control. If they are using outsourced providers that work council contracts, then they may also have long lists of customers and not enough staff to deal with the work promptly.
Thankfully, there is an alternative. Companies such as Pest-Tech offer fast, effective pest control throughout Maidstone and Kent. Our charges are competitive, and we will ensure that any vermin, carcasses, droppings and nests are removed before we complete our treatment. Factors that will determine how much it costs to treat your pest problem include the size of the infestation, the species you’re dealing with and any additional support you might need, such as pest proofing. We provide a clear quote before we start the work, so there are no hidden fees to worry about and you can rely on us.
Our team can provide expert advice and help you to find the right pest control service that meets your needs. We cover Maidstone and Kent, working with homes and businesses throughout the county to provide cost-effective pest control. For more information or to book your visit, contact us today on 01622 296055.