On this page: Details of the standards of service you can expect if you use the Swindon Borough Council Pest Control Service. It also provides an explanation of the principles under which we operate and the health and safety implications of our work.
Service Standards
This section gives information about the standard of service you can expect when booking a pest control treatment:
Customer Care
Our aim is to treat our customers in an understanding, polite and efficient manner. Whilst every attempt will be made to respond to requests for prompt service, priority will be given to complaints involving pests that present a risk to occupiers or public health.
Where access to accommodation is required or the occupier wishes to be present during the treatment, an arrangement will be made to treat on a morning or afternoon of a mutually convenient date.
Where visits are made but access is unavailable, a card will be left by the Pest Control Officer detailing the time and date of the visit and a telephone number on which they may be contacted to re-arrange a visit.
Achieving Service Quality
Swindon Borough Council is committed to delivering quality services, meeting local needs that represent value for money.
In addition to carrying out periodic customer satisfaction surveys, the following indicators are monitored:
The number of requests for pest control service.
Compliance with target response times.
The number and nature of complaints made against the service.
This policy will be reviewed periodically and amendments made, taking into account statutory charges, technical advances, the needs of the customer and the cost of the service.
Policy Statement
Swindon Borough Council is committed to offering a comprehensive, quality pest control service, in which it will prioritise the use of its resources to address pests of public health risk.
Charges and Costs
Standard Terms
Treatments of pests are charged in accordance with the agreed table of charges.
Those holding a SwindonCard ("Gold Card") with a 'Z' suffix are eligible for discounts on the standard fees.
Method of Payment
Payment must be made at the time of booking, through our contact centre on (01793) 445500, or in person at the 'One Stop Shop'. Payment can be made by debit or credit card over the telephone, or by debit card, credit card, cash, or cheque in person at the 'One Stop Shop'. There is an additional 1.75% charge levied on all credit card transactions.
Additional Notes on Charging
The method and time taken for treating various pest types differs and this is reflected in the fee charged. The specific details of a treatment may change depending on the exact nature of an infestation or the layout of a building and sometimes this cannot be established until a site inspection is made. This is most common with cockroaches, bed bugs, carpet beetles, or similar pest types. However, for domestic treatments only one fee is normally charged. For commercial treatments, the cost of revisits or subsequent treatments will be charged.
Health and Safety Issues
The Council recognises its duties under Health and Safety legislation and takes all reasonably practicable steps to prevent any risk to health arising from its pest control treatments.
We ensure that all Pest Control Officers are properly trained and qualified to carry out the treatments offered by the service. Administrative and advisory staff will be trained to give basic advice on the full range of pest problems.
Prior to carrying out any treatment the Pest Control Officer will assess the risks of people or pets coming into contact with the pesticide to be used. Baits in kitchens and premises such as schools, nurseries will only be laid in protected bait containers which will be clearly marked “POISON” and will be positioned so as to minimise the risk of interference by children, vulnerable persons or animals. Bait may be laid in open bait trays when located in areas away from children and animals such as in lofts. The Pest Control Officer will assess the risk before he puts the poison down. It should be noted that the poison that is used for rats and mice contains BITREX which makes the poison unpalatable to humans and most pets.
Occupiers of premises where bait or insecticide has been laid, will be given safety information detailing the type of pesticide used together with a safe procedure for disposing of dead rodents in order to minimise the risk of secondary poisoning of other animals.
In the case of rats and mice Pest Control Officers will revisit premises to check the effectiveness of the treatment and to collect unused rodenticide wherever practicable.