Pests and pets licences
Pets - If you live in a flat it is the lease, not Ringley, that decides if you can have a pet. And, if the lease says
“yes” then you will need a
“pet licence”.
>> click here to check with the Legal Team >>
Pests that service charges don’t cover
To rid these pests you can buy what you need from your local supermarket.
Pests that if you live in a flat that your service charges will cover
Rats - The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 places an obligation on owners or occupiers to control rats on their property and to inform the local Council of infestations. The control of rats and mice is therefore everyone’s problem not just the Council’s and Local Authorities have enforcement powers to ensure that rodent control is carried out.
Pharaoh Ants are a small (2 mm) yellow or light brown, almost transparent ants notorious for being a major indoor nuisance pest, they are a tropical species but they thrive in buildings anywhere. To exterminate pharaoh ants bait of ground liver mixed with boric acid is placed in foraging places, spray treatments should not be used as this causes the ants to scatter.
Cockroaches - There are two main species of cockroach in Britain, Oriental and German Cockroaches. Cockroaches are distinguished by their very long whip-like antennae, flat oval bodies and rapid, jerky walk . When foraging cockroaches can contaminate food, utensils, and preparation surfaces as they go. Keeping areas thoroughly clean is very important. Control of cockroaches is not easy as it is difficult to get the insecticide to the insect, specialists need to be called in.
Pigeons & seagulls -
Bird deterent measures include installing netting to light wells and spikes to ledges they may sit on. Moving most eggs and nests is an offence.
Pigeons
The easiest way to get rid of pigeons is not to feed them, however if there is a food source nearby and sheltered roosting spaces pigeons can be an unwelcome guest. Subject to funds pigeon spikes can be fitted on ledges and netting to enclosed courtyards but due to the cost of scaffolding/access often such projects need to await the next decorations cycle.
Nuisance Mammals
We have to be very careful here as many other animals are protected:
Foxes, hedgehogs and squirrels are protected by Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996.
17 species of bats and their roosts are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
In Britain all wild birds granted legal protection under the EC Birds Directive and the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981
Badgers and deer are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Badgers Act 1992 and Deer Act 1991.
With these types of pest “pest proofing” to avoid them entering the building is the best we can do, and/or cut back tree branches that might be used to get up into roof areas.
Pest proofing means preventing potential breeding sites by installing wire mesh screens to pest proof air vents, sealing holes to prevent access, filling gaps around floors, walls, roof, doors and window openings, fitting drain covers to prevent pests gaining access.