Pest control

Great Yarmouth Services Ltd, our operational partner, offers some services to control pests in domestic and commercial premises, including rodent treatment and some insect infestations.

For further information about what types of pest it treats, visit the pest control page on the Great Yarmouth Services Ltd website.

To make a booking, please contact Great Yarmouth Services Ltd.

If you believe that you may have rats or mice inside your property, then you may require the services of a pest controller. As a council we offer a pest control service via Great Yarmouth Services. Information on this service can be found by visiting the pest control page on the Great Yarmouth Services Ltd website. Other companies are also available.

If you believe that you have rats or mice inside your home because of the conditions of a neighbouring property, please contact the department to discuss the matter further.

For further information regarding vermin activity in a neighbouring garden, please visit the Overgrown gardens section of our website.

If you are concerned about rodent activity in your own garden, you may require the services of a pest controller. As a council we offer a pest control service via Great Yarmouth Services Ltd. Other companies are also available.

Alternatively, you may wish to take your own measures to treat the issue. There are a number of measures that can be taken in order to deter vermin from your garden such as:

• making sure there are no potential nesting places by keeping gardens clean and tidy. For example, raise piles of wood off the ground, prevent access to hiding places (i.e. under sheds).
• avoid having piles of garden waste or grass cuttings
• when feeding the birds, please try to ensure that this is in a controlled manner by using bird feeders to help contain the feed
  • clear up any uneaten foods regularly to help deter rats
  • if you do see vermin, you should stop feeding birds immediately
• ensure your garden is free of any food waste - if you have fruit trees, ensure fallen fruit is picked up and removed as soon as possible

• cut back vegetation to remove hiding places for rats and possible food sources
• If you have a compost bin, Norfolk Recycles provides some good guidance as to how to deter vermin (opens new window)

For further information regarding vermin activity in neighbouring gardens, please visit the Overgrown Gardens section of our website.

Great Yarmouth Services Ltd does not provide a pest control service for any type of bee.

If you have a problem with a honey bees' nest, please see the British Beekeepers Association (opens new window) website for advice plus details of local beekeepers who may collect your honey bees' nest free of charge.

If you are unsure what type of bee you have, you should refer to our bee identification guide (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window) .

If you are having problems with bats, red squirrels and snakes you can get information on GOV.UK (opens new window).

The Fox Project (opens new window) offers advice if you are having problems with foxes.

Contact Defra on 03459 335577 for help with grey squirrels.

If you are a private or privately rented property having issues with bedbugs please contact a reputable pest control service that is able to identify the insects as bedbugs and advise on the best course of action. 

Brown-tail moth

The brown-tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea) is a fairly common pest within South East England. It can infest any number of trees and shrubs, eating all the leaves of the tree or shrub.

In the spring, the caterpillars emerge from their silken tents to feed and will drop to the ground. They release hairs that can irritate the skin or in some cases cause more serious problems.

The best way to control them is to remove the tents in the autumn. However, some pest control businesses will undertake eradication or removal for you. If you choose to do this yourself, you must ensure that your skin and eyes are protected with thick clothing and glasses. To dispose of the pests, the tents can be contained within plastic bags and disposed of in your black bin waste, or you can burn the cuttings directly.

If you get a rash it will normally last two to three days. If the rash persists please contact your doctor.