National Pest Awards Local Authority of the Year 2022

Syngenta Profesional Solutions is the Principal Sponsor of the National Pest Awards. Find out more about the Awards here.

Nominations for Local Authority Pest Control Service of the Year 2022 are:

Herefordshire County Council

Herefordshire County Council’s pest control department mainly services commercial clients, but carries out domestic work when it is requested.

The department employs three technicians. Leslie Turner, pest control manager at Herefordshire County Council, said the key strength of the department is that it responds to all jobs regardless of distance or difficulty.

“We offer our services at affordable rates so that we can be as accessible to the people as possible,” he said.

Leslie said his team are all qualified to RSPH Level 2 in Pest Management, but specific training is available if individuals request it.

In addition to the team’s work in Herefordshire, Leslie said the team is covering work for neighbouring local authorities Worcestershire County Council and Shropshire Council.

“I was delighted that we had been shortlisted as finalists at the National Pest Awards, and it would be great to win,” he added.

 

Liverpool City Council Pest Control & Animal Warden Service

Liverpool City Council provides a free pest control service for rats and mice for domestic residents, which is possible through its work with commercial clients. The pest control department employs 10 people, which includes eight technicians.

Steve Abrams, the council’s pest control and animal warden team leader, said: “We are willing to go the extra mile for customers; provide a public health focused service; and deliver the best service that we can.

“I am keen to reduce the use of insecticides and rodenticides and am regularly asked to attend seminars and give presentations to landlords, which has proving successful.”

Steve said education is the most powerful tool that pest controllers have in their armoury.

“After 30 years in this industry, being short-listed as a finalist in this category is a pinnacle,” Steve said.

“I’m really made up to have got this far in the awards; we love what we do and I believe that I have the best job.”

 

Sunderland City Council Pest Control

The pest control department at Sunderland City Council handles a range of clients in both the commercial and residential sectors.

The department employs nine technicians; however, it has the capacity for 11 and is in the process of training two more.

All technicians are trained to RSPH Level 2 in Pest Management.

Peter Wilkinson, pest control technical officer and dog warden officer at Sunderland City Council, said one of the strengths of the team is that it is able to handle issues as they arise, so that problems don’t develop.

Peter said that pest control services are free in a majority of cases. “We believe that treating a problem for the long term will always trump providing a quick and short- term solution,” he said.

Peter said: “It is a great achievement to be a finalist.” “We’ve put a lot of effort into the commercial business and have built it up.”