In the UK, many homeowners used to believe that the local authority was the first stop for many services, including pest control.
As times have changed, many councils no longer offer pest control services, and those that do usually charge a fee.
That’s why many residents wonder how much the council charge for pest control services and what treatments they offer.
As a leading provider of domestic and commercial pest control services across Blackburn, Blackpool, Burnley, Chorley, Preston and throughout Lancashire, Copley Pest Solutions understands the importance of professional pest control in the area.
Having explained how much the council charges for pest control in Yorkshire, we’ve put together this guide to council pest control prices in Lancashire.
Do The Council Offer Free Pest Control Services?
Many councils used to provide pest control services that were free at the point of use, with the costs paid from council tax revenues.
This has now changed, and most local councils no longer offer free pest control services. Some councils may offer some services for free, or may offer free or discounted pest control for households receiving qualifying benefits.
What Factors Influence Council Pest Control Prices?
Those councils that do charge for pest control services usually have set fees, that are influenced by a number of factors, including:
- Labour Costs: Local councils that offer limited services for free often do so because they have environmental health officers who do the work in-house as part of their duties. Councils that offer more varied services often work with outsourced contractors and have to pay higher labour costs.
- Type Of Pest: Some pest species are harder to treat than others. For example, bed bugs and fleas often live deep inside soft furniture, and can be harder to treat than larger insect pests.
- Subsidies: If councils offer a reduced rate for households on qualifying benefits, such as council tax reduction benefits or Universal Credit, then the cost of these subsidies might influence the full price paid by other residents.
How Much Do The Council Charge For Pest Control Services In Lancashire?
Every council in the UK has different pest control prices. These are some of the biggest areas of Lancashire and the prices the local councils charge for their pest control services.
Blackburn
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council offers some pest control services. The prices are listed below, mole treatment is also available with the price on application. Please note: These prices are correct as of the time of publication and subject to change. For an accurate quote, please contact Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.
| Pest Type | Treatment Cost (Including VAT) |
| Rats | Free |
| Mice | Free (treatment not available for gardens) |
| Cockroaches | £78 (up to two visits) |
| Bed Bugs | £176 (per room) |
| Fleas | £78 (up to two visits) |
| Wasps | £62 (per visit) |
| Garden Ants | £48 (per visit) |
Blackpool
Blackpool Council offers limited pest control services for homes, with commercial services available on request. These are the domestic pest control prices. Please note: These prices are correct as of the time of publication and subject to change. For an accurate quote, please contact Blackpool Council.
| Pest Type | Treatment Cost (Including VAT) |
| Rodents (rats and mice) | £106.54 up to 3 visits by the pest controller for a 3 bedroom house, advice to prevent future infestations. An additional £10 per bedroom will be charged for larger properties. |
| Insects (ants and fleas included, woodworm and bed bugs not included) | £79.32 to cover a one-off for up to 6 rooms. Additional rooms will be charged £8.69 (£8.88 from 30 March 2026) per extra room and the cost of insecticides used. |
| Bees and wasps | £68.06 to treat affected areas outside and inside, provided area is less than 2 stories tall and any attics are boarded. |
Burnley
Burnley Council does offer pest control services for some pest species, with some free options and some charged. These are the residential costs for pest control services. Please note: These prices are correct as of the time of publication and subject to change. For an accurate quote, please contact Burnley Council.
| Pest Type | Treatment Cost (Including VAT) |
| Rats | Free |
| Mice | Free |
| Cockroaches | Free |
| Fleas | £66.30 per visit |
| Wasps | £66.30 per visit |
| Ants | £66.30 per visit |
Chorley
Chorley Council provides pest control for a number of pests, and can offer some additional support, such as minor building works to pest proof your property and ensure pest problems can’t return. These are the prices for treatment at domestic properties. Please note: These prices are correct as of the time of publication and subject to change. For an accurate quote, please contact Chorley Council.
| Pest Type | Treatment Cost (Including VAT) |
| Rats | Free |
| Mice | Free |
| Grey Squirrels | £180 (includes initial trapping programme, three revisits and removal of captured animals) |
| Cockroaches | £73.20 per visit (max four visits) |
| Ants | £73.20 per visit (max four visits) |
| Fleas | £73.20 per visit (max four visits) |
| Cluster Flies | £73.20 per visit (max four visits) |
| Wasps | £73.20 per visit (max four visits) |
| Bumble Bee Nest removal and relocation | £73.20 per nest |
Preston
Preston City Councils offers free pest control services to treat rats, mice and cockroaches only. As such, residents dealing with other pests might need to work with a private company like Copley Pest Solutions.
What Is The Alternative To Council Pest Control In Lancashire?
Many homeowners explore alternatives to council pest control services, because even if your local council offers pest control, it may not provide the solutions that you need.
One of the main issues is that councils often have long waiting lists, which can take several days or longer. During this time, pests can cause significant damage to your property. Vermin also pose a health risk and can be highly distressing, which is why it’s worth considering a company like Copley Pest Solutions for your pest control services.
Whether your local council in Lancashire doesn’t offer pest control services, they won’t treat the pest species you’re dealing with, or you want an alternative option, Copley Pest Solutions is the ideal choice.
Alongside treating all common pests, including rats, mice, squirrels, ants, moths, wasps, fleas, bed bugs, cockroaches, pigeons, crows, seagulls, magpies, sparrows and more, our team can offer specialist services, including heat treatments, waste management, rodent proofing, CCTV drain surveys, void property clearance, canine bed bug detection and more.
If you need further treatments, find other pests or require additional services to ensure your infestation is permanently removed, Copley’s friendly team can tailor our services to meet your needs. Our staff offers fast responses to pest control call-outs, and can provide discreet but effective pest control solutions that meet your exact needs.
This dedication to excellence is what makes private companies like Copley Pest Solutions a viable alternative to most councils, which often offer limited services.
As our staff are RSPH level 2 certified, they’re able to access pest control equipment that isn’t available to the general public, ensuring we can remove pests better than DIY methods.
To book your professional pest control treatment for your Lancashire home or commercial property, contact us on 08003029447.
