THE RISING cost of pest control now rests on residents' shoulders as the number of rat, mice and wasp removal work carried out by the council plummets.

In 2010/11, Wokingham Borough Council carried out 340 rat, 62 mice and 87 wasp removal jobs.

In the years since the numbers have been falling steadily, save for a spike in rat exterminations in 2014/15 to 534 call outs, with 107 rat, three mice and no wasp jobs completed in 2016/17.

The fall in figures comes as the council hands over the bulk of pest control work to private companies such as All Aspects Pest Control and PestUK.

The move has left the public out of pocket however.

In 2011 a flat £56.50 fee was charged by the council for each call out.

Today, All Aspects Pest Control charges £180 minimum for an initial rat survey and preliminary proofing, from £45 to deal with wasps nests and at least £160 for a mice survey and proofing.

PestUK provide a variety of services, including a biocide rat and mice spray for £65 and sewer camera survey for £250.

Councillor Norman Jorgensen, executive member for environment, sports, environmental health, leisure and libraries, said: “With the private sector able to provide pest treatments at competitive prices, the council felt that its time was better spent focussing on community advice and dealing only with vulnerable residents such as the elderly.

"There are specific responsibilities laid out in legislation which require land owners to make sure pest activity is managed. If residents call to ask for a treatment, we refer them to the British Pest Control Association.”