Pests

Our Environmental Health team can provide guidance on a range of pest issues and investigate related complaints. 

• identify the pest affecting your property and give you an indication of the extent of the problem 
• tell you which treatment is best suited to the pest and the area in which it has been found 
• advise you of cleaning practices and improvements to help avoid attracting pests to your property 
• advise you about employing a pest control contractor if you cannot carry out the treatment yourself 

During the summer and autumn months, we offer a limited wasp nest treatment service for a charge of £50. Please note there may be a waiting list for this service. 

With the exception of Wasps, Ards and North Down Borough Council does not provide direct treatment services for rodents or invertebrates. For active infestations, we recommend contacting a professional local pest control company. You can use the official BPCA Find a Pest Controller Tool to locate verified local contractors. 

Advice 

Rats and mice 

If you are currently experiencing issues with rats outside, where possible please follow the practical guidance below before contacting us.  

Managing Rats Outside 

Rats are relatively common garden visitors. Because they are nocturnal, you will rarely see them during the day. You can significantly reduce rat activity around your property by eliminating what they need to survive: food, water, and shelter.  

1. Remove Food and Water Sources 

• Feed birds responsibly: Rats easily climb fences, walls, and trees to reach feeders. They also eat fallen seed. Use rat-proof feeders, provide minimal food, and stop feeding completely if you notice increased rodent activity. 
• Protect pet areas: Never leave pet food or water bowls outside. Store all pet food in pest-proof containers. Use metal bins with secure lids if storing food in sheds. 
• Clear pet waste: Clean up pet faeces immediately. Dog and cat waste can attract rats as a food source and cause unpleasant odours. 
• Eliminate standing water: Rats must drink fresh water daily. Remove ground bird baths, empty water bowls, and clear anything that collects rainwater as much as practical. 
• Clean your barbecue: Clean grease and food residue off your barbecue after every use. 
• Check kitchen gullies: Food waste washed down the sink can collect in outside gully grids. Always use a sink strainer indoors to catch food scraps. 

 2. Garden and Outdoor Management 

• Clear rubbish: Keep all garden areas clean, tidy, and free from piles of rubbish to remove hiding places. 
• Secure compost heaps: Rats often burrow under compost heaps for shelter. Place compost bins on top of concrete slabs to stop them burrowing. Never put meat, fish, dairy, or egg products into outdoor compost; use your fortnightly brown bin instead. 
• Maintain wheelie bins: Keep outside bin lids tightly closed. Replace your bin immediately if it becomes severely cracked or damaged. 
• Check decks and sheds: Structures built on soft ground offer safe burrowing spots for rats. Check under sheds and decking regularly for signs of activity. Ideally, erect these structures over concrete bases or slabs. 

 3. Fix Drainage Issues 

• Defective drains are a common, overlooked source of rat problems. Rats live in sewers and travel through underground pipes. If the drainage system underground is damaged, rats can escape to the surface or enter homes. 
• Report defects: Contact us for advice if you see rats emerging from drains, manholes, or roadside storm gullies. 
• Inspect your property: Ensure all outdoor gullies have secure grids. Check that your private manhole covers are not cracked or broken. 

  4. Traps and Rodenticide (Rat Poison) 

• You have the option to use traps and/or rodenticide to remove rats from your garden. However, please bear in mind that the misuse of traps or poison can cause unnecessary suffering and can put other wildlife and domestic animals at risk. If you are unsure, please contact Environmental Health for advice. 
• Use tamper-proof rodent stations: If you use snap traps or poison baits outdoors, you must place them inside secure bait stations. This prevents non-target wildlife and pets from being harmed. 
• Use rodenticide as a last resort: Rodenticides can harm non-target wildlife and pets or cause secondary poisoning if a wild animal or pet eats a rodent which has ingested poisoned bait. If you use rat poison, you must carefully follow all manufacturer instructions on the packaging.