No more free rats in Wiltshire

8.09.00am GMT Fri 19th Feb 2010

Conservative Councils cost you more

The next service to be 'harmonised' in Wiltshire is pest control. As usual 'harmonised' means 'reduced to the lowest common denominator' - areas of the county which used to have a free service will now have to pay.

Currently people in the north, east and west of the county pay a variety of fees, while people in the south (Salisbury area) receive some services free.

Pest control covers the elimination of rats and mice plus household pests such as wasps, fleas, bed bugs and squirrels. Costs range from £25 for an advisory visit to £80 to deal with a wasps nest at a business premises. There is a discount for people on benefits.

In the Salisbury area the service is managed by an external company. The contract for this will expire in March. The treatment for rats and mice is free but there is a charge for other insect pests.

Wiltshire's Conservative cabinet will bring in an in-house service over the whole county.

They claim that, "By keeping the service in-house the council will also be able to control and monitor rodent and pest populations. The council will inspect areas, destroy rodents on land it owns and work with local residents and businesses to keep land free from rats and mice."