More than half of England’s unitary and district councils recommend the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) to residents seeking help with pests, according to research by the association.
The findings show that 52% of these English councils direct residents to BPCA. Across the UK, 46% of local authorities use their websites to signpost residents to the association and its Find a Pest Controller tool.
The proportion recommending BPCA stands at 45% in Northern Ireland, 38% in Scotland and 32% in Wales.
The research also examined how councils provide pest management services, revealing that 46% of UK local authorities offer no service to residents. A further 40% maintain their own pest control teams, while 14% provide services through contractors.
Among councils offering a service, either through their own teams or contractors, nearly a third do so exclusively through BPCA members.
Local authorities are often residents’ first point of contact when they discover a pest problem. Where councils do not offer a service, their websites can help people find a professional pest management company.
Rosina Robson, BPCA chief executive, said: “BPCA members provide essential services to their local communities and should be proud of the fact that so many councils around the country trust them to support residents at their most vulnerable.”
The research considered pest management on council-owned properties separately from services offered to residents. It found that 61% of UK councils use contractors to some extent for work on their own properties, while 34% rely solely on their own staff.
More than a quarter of pest management on council property is carried out exclusively by BPCA members, according to the association.
Keeping pest knowledge within councils
BPCA said the findings raise questions about how councils retain pest management knowledge when they no longer employ their own specialists or carry out treatments directly.
The association is organising a webinar on November 12 to support awareness of public health pests across local government. Although open to anyone, it is aimed particularly at council employees whose work affects, or is affected by, pest activity.
The intended audience extends beyond pest control teams to housing officers, social housing teams, environmental health officers, waste and neighbourhood services, and staff responsible for parks and public spaces.
Licensing, planning, emergency response, facilities and property management professionals are also encouraged to attend.
BPCA wants councils to retain the knowledge needed to recognise pest risks and respond appropriately, including where responsibility sits across several departments.
Further details and registration are available, by clicking here.
