Pest Control and Bees

Pests which are of Public Health Significance should be controlled as some may carry and transmit diseases to humans.

Pests considered to be a risk to public health or food safety include:

• rats
• house mice
• cockroaches
• fleas.

Pests that may become a nuisance in houses include a wide range of beetles, silverfish, earwigs and wasps.

We do not provide a pest treatment service. If you have pests, contact a pest control contractor to have them treated (for a charge).

If you are affected by pests of public health significance which are on another premises, firstly bring the matter to the attention of the landowner (when known) and seek their cooperation in treating the pests. If this is not successful, you can contact Environmental Health. We can require landowners to take steps to ensure that their land is free from rats, mice and certain other pests of public health significance.

Customers with pests on their land are referred to private contractors.

Filthy and/or verminous premises are properties considered to be damaging to health (this could include rotting foodstuffs or faecal contamination) or, where vermin is present in the property (where rats, mice, insects or parasites including their eggs, larvae and pupae are present in significant numbers to be considered a risk to health).

Filthy or verminous properties are often found to contain accumulations of material (as is common with hoarders) that can make access and egress difficult. Additionally, accumulations within a property can present a fire risk. For more advice or information contact us.

If you see a swarm of bees, please contact Isle of Wight Beekeepers Association. They will send an experienced beekeeper volunteer to collect the swarm to be re-homed at the teaching apiary.