Councils have often been seen as the first port of call for local support, including pest control services. Unfortunately, over the years, many councils have stopped hiring in-house pest control officers, and instead either started working with private companies, limiting their pest control services or even getting rid of them altogether.
In Gloucester, Gloucester City Council does offer pest control services, but these are limited to only a few specific pest problems, and come at a cost.
As local pest controllers covering Gloucester, Cranham, Stroud, Tewkesbury, the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire, Arrest The Pest understands the importance of fast, cost-effective pest control solutions.
To help residents throughout the area understand council pest control charges, we’ve put together this helpful guide.
Is Council Pest Control Free?
Many local authorities used to provide free pest control services, with the cost being taken out of council tax contributions.
Times have changed, and today most local councils don’t offer free pest control. Many, including Gloucester City Council, have fees which have to be paid when booking your pest control appointment. That’s because they use outside contractors and require payment upfront.
Some local councils offer discounts for residents who receive qualifying benefits, such as council tax support or universal credit, or even free services for those in social housing developments, but this depends on your council. Gloucester City Council offers residents receiving Council Tax Support or Housing Benefits a 50% reduction in the cost of their pest treatment.
What Are Gloucester City Council’s Pest Control Prices?
So, how much do the council charge for pest control in Gloucester? Check out the table below for Gloucester City Council’s current prices. Please note that these fees are correct at the time of publication, and may be subject to change. For more information, contact Gloucester City Council.
| Pest Type | Residential Fee | Commercial Fee (Excluding VAT) |
| Rats | £52 | £60 |
| Mice | £52 | £60 |
| Fleas | £60 | £72 |
| Wasps | £49 | £51 |
What Are The Downsides To Council Pest Control Services?
There are several reasons why council pest control services might not be ideal for everyone in Gloucester and the surrounding area, including:
- Limited Services: As you can see, Gloucester City Council offer very limited pest control treatments, for only 4 pest species, so if you’re dealing with other pests you won’t be able to get pest support from them.
- Pre-Payment: Paying before you get the service can mean you lose the money if the council’s subcontracted company attends your site and refuses to carry out the treatment for any reason, such as if you mis-identified the pest.
- Specific Visit Numbers: Council pest control treatments are limited by a specific number of visits, usually one or two, which may not be sufficient to get rid of your pest problem.
- Potential Infestation Return: Most local councils won’t carry out pest proofing, which means that you’ll have further expense filling in holes in your facade to stop pests from entering. If you don’t block these entry points yourself, you may find the pest issue returns.
- Waiting Lists: Waiting lists for council pest control services can be long, and so it may take several weeks or even months before your appointment. By this time, vermin can cause significant health issues and property damage.
What Is The Best Alternative To Local Council Pest Control?
The best alternative to local council pest control is to work with a professional company like Arrest The Pest.
Our friendly team are all local residents, and they take great pride in keeping Gloucester, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds pest-free.
They can carry out domestic and commercial pest control for all common pests, including rats, mice, squirrels, bed bugs, fleas, cockroaches, moles, moths, wasps, hornets, ants and even nuisance birds.
With competitive prices and fast responses times, we can quickly get rid of vermin and ensure that you pay as little as possible in the long run for quality pest control services.
Our services are also discreet and effective, thanks to our RSPH level 2 certified team, who have access to pest control products that aren’t available to the general public.
These solutions, combined with our team’s extensive experience and knowledge of pest behaviour, means we can provide pest control solutions that work to homeowners and business leaders throughout Gloucester.
To book your local Gloucester pest treatment, contact us on 07766083234 and a member of our team will be happy to help.
