A pest controller identifies, treats and proofs against rodents, insects and nuisance wildlife. Proofing matters more than poison — sealing the entry points is what stops an infestation returning on a seasonal cycle. Wildlife law constrains the work: bats and their roosts are protected at all times, and it is an offence to damage an active bird nest.
Pest removal and prevention for rodents, insects and wildlife. Compare quotes from vetted pest control professionals across the UK. Typical cost: £100–£300.

Quick answer
A pest controller identifies, treats and proofs against rodents, insects and nuisance wildlife, typically £100–£300 for domestic treatment. Wildlife law constrains the work: bats and their roosts are protected at all times, and it is an offence to damage an active bird nest. Proofing matters more than poison — untreated entry points simply refill.
| Factor | Professional | DIY products | Council |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to professional products | ✅ Yes | ❌ Retail only | ✅ Yes |
| Includes proofing the entry | ✅ Usually | ❌ You do it | ⚠️ Rarely |
| Handles wasps or hornets safely | ✅ Recommended | ❌ Risky | ✅ Yes |
| Speed of response | ✅ Fast | ✅ Immediate | ⚠️ Waiting list |
| Cost | ⚠️ Higher | ✅ Lowest | ✅ Often subsidised |
Ask whether the quote covers proofing or only treatment, and how many return visits are included. A rodent treatment without proofing is a recurring bill rather than a fix, and the difference rarely shows in the headline price.
A pest control provides pest removal and prevention for rodents, insects and wildlife. Whether you need routine maintenance, emergency repairs, or a major installation project, a qualified pest control has the skills, tools and experience to complete the work safely and to a high standard. On TradeMatch, every pest control is vetted, background-checked, and holds verified public liability insurance — giving you peace of mind that your project is in safe hands.
When hiring a pest control, always verify their qualifications. The following are the key credentials and trade body memberships regulated by British Pest Control Association (BPCA):
On TradeMatch, we verify all of these credentials before any pest control can quote on jobs.
Every tradesperson is verified against the UK accreditation bodies that matter for the work — before they can quote.

Use this checklist before hiring a pest control to ensure you get quality work at a fair price:
Watch out for these warning signs when getting quotes for pest control work:
TradeMatch eliminates these risks — every pest control is vetted, insured, and payments are escrow-protected.
You can hire a pest control at any time of year, but planning ahead and booking during off-peak months (typically late autumn to early spring) can help you get better availability and potentially lower prices. For emergency work, TradeMatch has professionals available for same-day callouts.
Browse vetted pest control professionals across 200 UK cities.
Rodent survey, baiting, proofing and ongoing monitoring for homes and businesses
£100–£300Safe wasp and hornet nest treatment and removal by certified pest technicians
£40–£100Heat treatment and insecticidal bed bug eradication with follow-up inspection
£200–£600Garden ant and carpenter ant control using gel bait and residual spray treatments
£60–£150Tell us what pest control work you need — it only takes 2 minutes.
Receive up to 3 quotes from vetted pest control professionals near you.
Compare reviews, choose the best quote, and leave a review when the job is done.
Browse questions from homeowners about hiring a pest control, costs, and what to expect.
Side-by-side with the four most-searched UK trade platforms. No subscription fees, up to 5 competing quotes, escrow-protected payments — three things every other platform misses.
| Feature | TradeMatch | Checkatrade | MyBuilder | Bark | Rated People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 quotes | ✓ | Browse | Up to 5 | Varies | Up to 3 |
| Escrow payment protection | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| No tradesperson subscription | ✓ | £50+/mo | ✓ | Credits | £15+/mo |
| Verified reviews (live) | ✓ | 5-day delay | ✓ | Mixed | ✓ |
| Background + qualification checks | ✓ | ✓ | Light | Basic ID | ✓ |
| Dispute resolution team | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |