Council Looks To End Free Pest Control

Costs for dealing with pests could rocket from nothing to £50 for dispatching rats, with a 43 per cent increase in the price of dealing with wasps' nests.

Currently, people in Salisbury and south Wiltshire pay significantly less than in the rest of the county because of the system inherited from the former district council. However, plans are in the pipeline to bring costs in line with the rest of the county.

This means the free rat and mice catching service could go for good, and the cost of removing wasp nests will rise from £35.30 to £50.

"This would be disastrous for people on low incomes," said former district councillor, Jane Launchbury. "We have five rivers in Salisbury so, of course, many properties get rats. If it costs £50 for a rodent, I think some won't bother getting them dealt with and that could have huge public health implications."

Fears of rats are one of the arguments against fortnightly rubbish collections which are also being considered by the council as it moves to bring a "uniform" service across Wiltshire.

"I dread to think what will happen for the people who can't have wheelie bins and rely on black bags," added Mrs Launchbury. "We can't afford to have a situation where those who can afford to pay do, and those who can't just watch the rats multiplying. I hope that if changes are made, they bring all the costs down rather than hiking Salisbury up."

"Wasps' nests can be very serious, especially for people with allergies, and we have been lucky to have an efficient subcontracted service which I would like to see continued. I challenge Wiltshire Council to take note of the efficiency of standards in pest control in our small corner of this vast county, and do what they set out to do with a unitary authority – save council tax payers money for our services."

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: "Wiltshire Council is currently reviewing pest control services across the county in order to assess the best way to deliver the service and make improvements."

"The council will be looking at a number of options over the coming months. No decision has yet been taken. Currently there are different standards and levels of service operating in each of the four former district areas. People expect equal, efficient services throughout the county that perform to the highest possible standard."