The most common pests in Worcestershire include:Rats and other rodent problems, particularly peak autumn and winter.Wasps nests and increased wasp activity typically peak during late summer.Mice enter homes, lofts, kitchens and commercial premises in search of food and shelter.Bed Bugs infestations can occur in homes, rented accommodation, hotels and B&Bs.Ants including indoor infestations, garden ants and nesting colonies.Flies including houseflies, cluster flies and other nuisance fly species.Fleas often associated with pets, previous animal activity or contaminated environments.Squirrels and other wildlife: can enter lofts, roof spaces, gardens and other areas of a property.Cockroaches persistent indoor pests commonly found around kitchens, food preparation areas and warm, humid environments.

Domestic pest control is handled at district council level through Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS), not directly by Worcestershire County Council.Some Worcestershire district councils fund pest control for residents receiving qualifying benefits. If you do not qualify for a supported treatment, charges are set by the pest control contractor. The current position is:Council areaCouncil-supported pest controlWorcester CityFree for residents receiving qualifying benefitsWychavonFree for residents receiving qualifying benefitsMalvern HillsFree for residents receiving qualifying benefitsBromsgroveFree for residents receiving qualifying benefitsRedditchFree for residents receiving qualifying benefitsWyre ForestNo council pest-control serviceFor the five councils offering support, the free service covers rats, mice, fleas, bed bugs, cockroaches and wasp nests, subject to the individual council's benefit criteria. Please check our Worcestershire page for full details.Across Worcestershire, typical prices charged by private pest control contractors average around:Wasp Nest Removal: £60 to £100Rats & Mice Treatments: £80 to £200+ (usually requiring multiple visits)Cockroach or Insect Infestations: £80 to £120 per visit More pest control prices

Depending on the type of pest control service you need, the level of infestation and the size of your home, pest control costs can vary. On average, pest exterminators typically costs between £65 and £300+VAT for common household pests.The total price depends highly on the type of pest, how severe the infestation is, and the number of follow-up visits required. A fixed-price quote is given after an comprehensive site survey to identify the pest problems.10 things to check before hiring a pest controllerPest TypeAverage Cost RangeTypical Visits IncludedWasp Nest Removal£65-£1201 VisitRats or Mice£120 – £2502 to 3 VisitsFleas£120 – £200Whole HouseAnts£60 – £2001-2 VisitsCockroaches£120 – £3001-2 VisitsSquirrels£150 – £300Multiple VisitsBed Bugs (chemical)£200 – £5002-3 VisitsBed Bugs (heat treatment)£500 – £1,200+1 Visit

Yes. Professional pest control is safe for children and pets providing treatments are carried out correctly by trained and qualified technicians. RSPH-qualified pest technicians are trained to assess risk, select appropriate treatments and apply professional pest-control products safely.Where temporary precautions are required, such as keeping children or pets away from a treated area, these should be explained clearly before treatment.Professional pest controllers protect your family by using advanced techniques and specialised tools:MethodHow it Protects Children & PetsIntegrated Pest Management (IPM)Focuses on long-term prevention, sealing entry points, and using non-chemical traps before resorting to chemical sprays.Tamper-Resistant Bait StationsUsed for rodents to ensure that curious children and pets cannot access or accidentally ingest the bait.Targeted Crack-and-Crevice TreatmentsInsecticides are placed deep into walls, voids, and crevices where pests hide, completely out of reach of your family.Mammal-Safe FormulationsMany professional products, like insect growth regulators, disrupt pest biology but are virtually non-toxic to mammals.Always check that your pest controller is professionally accredited. You can verify BPCA members using the BPCA Find a Pest Controller service.

Signs of an infestation can include seeing live or dead pests, droppings, gnaw marks, damage, unusual smells, scratching or movement within walls and roof spaces, or repeated pest activity around your home. Some infestations are less obvious, with pests hiding in lofts, wall cavities, roof spaces or other concealed areas. If you are unsure, PGM Pest Control can inspect the property, identify the pest and assess the extent of the problem before recommending the most appropriate treatment. Call us on 01981 540088 or request a free quote today.

It depends on the type of pest, the severity of the infestation, and the type of treatment that is used to determine how long it takes for pest control to work. Some insects, like cockroaches and ants, die off within hours to a few days after the use insecticides. Depending on the pest infestation, it could take a few days to a week. It might take multiple treatments to get rid of the lifecycle of the pest involved, especially persistent ones like bed bugs.Timeline by Pest TypePest TypeNoticeable ResultsTime to Full EradicationHow the Treatment WorksAnts1 - 2 days1 - 2 weeksBaits are carried back to the nest to destroy the whole colony slowly.Cockroaches2 - 3 days2-6 weeksRequires slow-acting gels or sprays, as roaches hide deeply and reproduce fastMice & Rats2 - 4 days1 - 3 weeksTraps and bait stations take time to clear the population and seal entry points.Bed Bugs3 - 5 days2 - 4 weeksOften requires multiple targeted treatments to catch eggs as they hatch.Wasps, Hornets, & FliesMinutes to hours1 - 2 daysDirect contact sprays usually eliminate flying pests almost instantly

Yes, our expert BPCA pest technicians live in Worcester, which is how we keep call-out times short and manage same-day visits.

Yes. PGM Pest Control technicians are professionally trained and qualified, including RSPH Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications. PGM is also a BPCA-accredited member and a member of the NPTA, demonstrating our commitment to recognised professional pest management standards. PGM follows recognised industry CRRU standards and best-practice guidance, using professional equipment, evidence-led treatment methods and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to deal with pest problems responsibly.

In Worcestershire, responsibility for pest control in a rented property depends primarily on what caused the infestation. There is no single rule, but liability generally breaks down based on structural maintenance versus tenant lifestyle. The core legal obligations and how they apply locally are detailed below:When the Landlord is ResponsibleThe landlord is usually responsible if the infestation is caused by an underlying issue with the property. This includes: Structural defects: Pests entering through gaps in brickwork, broken air vents, or holes in the walls.Pre-existing issues: The pests were already active in the property before you moved in.Disrepair: Defective pipes or leaking roofs that cause dampness, which attracts certain insects.Habitability: Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act, landlords must ensure the property remains safe and liveable. When the Tenant is ResponsibleThe tenant is typically responsible if their own actions or negligence directly caused or worsened the problem. This includes:Poor hygiene & waste management: Allowing household rubbish to accumulate or leaving unwashed food out, which attracts rats, mice, or flies.Introduced pests: Bringing in fleas via untreated pets, or bedbugs through luggage or second-hand furniture.Failure to report: Not informing the landlord of a minor issue early on, allowing it to escalate into a major infestation. What Your Tenancy Agreement SaysAlways check your tenancy agreement first. Many contracts contain an explicit "pest clause" outlining who handles infestations. However, even if a contract states the tenant must pay for pest control, a landlord cannot use a contract clause to bypass their legal duty to keep the structure of the property in good repair.

Yes. PGM Pest Control regularly treats pest problems in older, rural and traditional properties across Worcestershire. Older buildings can have gaps, voids, ageing roof structures and other potential pest entry points that need careful inspection. PGM technicians identify how pests are accessing the property before recommending an appropriate treatment and, where needed, proofing measures to help prevent the problem returning.