2 Introduction and aim
This document contains the trust’s policy in relation to the management and control of pests. The presence of pests can be offensive, present infection hazards, contaminate foodstuffs, damage materials, building components and structures and also be a nuisance. Once established, pests can be difficult and costly to deal with. Appropriate standards of pest control in both clinical and non-clinical areas are an integral part of providing an optimum environment for the delivery of quality care to patients and to maintain staff health. The trust and its contractors should adopt procedures to rid them of existing infestation and thereafter, by pro-active work, maintain this position. Within the policy, details and reference will be made to good practice and recommendations that should be followed to ensure a safe and pest free environment for service users, staff and other persons who access the trusts services.
3 Procedure
This policy shall apply to all trust staff, contractors, and other persons who influence pest control in premises which are managed by the trust. These persons should comply with this policy and any supporting procedures. The trust has many differing arrangements in relation to the properties that are occupied by its service users and staff. The accountability for the management of pest control is the organisation with the overall control of the building or the organisation with the designated responsibility for pest control. Other organisations may have their own policies and managers of trust services in these buildings should follow any local policies and procedures in addition to those outlined in this policy.
Where the trust staff work in premises provided or managed by a third party the trusts departmental managers should work pro-actively with the third party in pest control management.
Pet therapy is not included in the scope of this policy. Some of the activities associated with the management of pests overlap with other policies and procedures. Specific regulations and guidance cover the hazards of these activities and the precautions to be taken in relation to these activities. It is not the intention of this policy to provide details of the overlapping regulations and guidance or the related hazards. Information on common pests and their control is provided within the appendices.
It is recognised that there is a need to balance the needs of complying with available guidance and the resources available to the trust. The trust therefore operates a risk-based strategy for pest control.
All pest control work should be carried out in accordance with the Code of Practice of the British Pest Control Association and BS EN 16636:2015. All pesticides used shall conform to ISO 257:2018 and shall be used in accordance with the Control of Pesticides Regulations (as amended 1998) and the COSHH Regulations (2002). The trust has many differing arrangements in relation to the properties that are occupied by its service users and staff. The accountability for pest control management is the organisation with the overall control of the building.
Basic pest control measures and the reporting of pests are set out in appendix A of this policy.
4 Responsibilities
4.1 The chief executive
The chief executive has the overall accountability for ensuring compliance with all statutory regulations. The responsibility for ensuring appropriate measures are taken to discourage pest infestation and that pest infestations are reported is devolved to all staff. The trust has many differing arrangements in relation to the properties that are occupied by its service users and staff. The accountability for the management of pests is devolved to the organisation with the overall control of the property.
4.2 Director of finance and estates
For properties that are maintained by the trust the accountability for the overall management of pest control is given to the director of finance and estates who further devolves responsibility to the head of estates and to officers of the estates
4.3 Head of estates
The head of estates has the delegated responsibility for ensuring that where reasonably practicable the guidance relating to pest control management is implemented and maintained where resource allows within trust agreed financial limits. For buildings that are maintained by the trust the accountability for pest control is given to the head of estates who devolves this responsibility to the head of operational estates and to other officers of the estates department.
4.4 Head of operational estates
The head of operational estates has the responsibility for ensuring that properties under the control of the estates function have routine checks by a pest control specialist and that reports of pests are followed up in an appropriate manner.
4.5 All staff
All staff have a duty to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to discourage pest infestation, to report pest infestations and follow the advice in appendices A and B of this policy.
5 Training
The head of operational estates is responsible for auditing and the subsequent implementation of any training needs that are relevant to this policy, however, the pest control service is currently contracted to the local authorities and specialist contractors, and their advice is sought on all matters of pest control, resulting in no identified training needs for staff.
There are no specific training needs in relation to this policy, but staff will need to be familiar with its contents: and any other individual or group with a responsibility for implementing the contents of this policy.
6 Monitoring arrangements
The head of operational estates has 6 monthly contract review meetings with the pest control service contractor where operation of the contract is considered and discussed.
This policy and its supporting procedures will be reviewed every three years or when working practices or statutory regulations change. The implementation of this policy will be continuously monitored by the estates operations manager to ensure compliance.
7 Appendices
7.1 Appendix A basic pest control measures
This document contains guidance for staff on the trust’s pest control policy.
Rid and Riddance: the terms rid and riddance are defined as eradication or achieving the best level of control that is technically and practicably possible.
7.1.1 Reporting
All sightings of pests or evidence of their existence should be reported in the first instance to the organisation in control of the building and reported on the website Estates Helpdesk (Evolution Reach) in the web browser or select the Estates Helpdesk from the trust’s intranet favourites. The information required will include:
- the location, for example, ward, department, clinic
- precise location, for example, bathroom, office
- type of pest if known
- possible numbers and the frequency of sighting
- the name of the person reporting
- the date and time of the sighting
7.1.2 Basic pest control measures
- Food should be covered or stored in pest proof containers.
- Spillages should be promptly removed.
- Waste should be stored in a manner suitable to prevent access by pests.
- Accumulation of static or stagnant water should be avoided.
Buildings should be of sound structure and well maintained, drains should be covered, leaking pipework repaired and damaged surfaces made good. Defects should be reported to the Estates Department. - Cracks in plaster and woodwork, unsealed areas around pipework, damaged tiles, badly fitted equipment and kitchen units are all likely to provide excellent harbourage and should be maintained in a suitable condition.
- Where fitted fly screens should always be closed when windows are open.
- Doors to food preparation areas should be kept closed.
- Treatment with insecticides and rodenticides alone is seldom sufficient; attention must be paid to good hygiene and structural maintenance.
7.2 Appendix B list and description of common pests
7.2.1 Houseflies
7.2.1.1 Significance
Houseflies can transmit intestinal worms, or their eggs and are potential vectors of disease such as dysentery, gastro-enteritis, typhoid, cholera and tuberculosis. They will frequent and feed indiscriminately on any liquefiable solid food, putrefying material or food stored for human consumption.
7.2.1.2 Control
Flies have rapid, prolific breeding habits and high mobility. To break the life cycle, control measures should be directed against larval and adult flies.
7.2.1.3 Hygiene and management
Satisfactory hygiene is necessary to limit potential breeding sites and food sources. Entry of flies into buildings can be prevented by 1.12mm mesh fly screen, air curtains, bead screens or self-closing door equipment with rubber seals.
7.2.2 Cockroaches
7.2.2.1 Distribution
Cockroaches are common in premises associated with the production or handling of food. Gregarious and nocturnal they spend the day hiding in cracks and crevices around areas such as sinks, drains, cookers, the back of cupboards and in refrigerator motor compartments. They favour buildings with service ducts and complex plumbing installations which allow them to travel freely.
7.2.2.2 Significance
Cockroaches are potential vectors of diseases such as dysentery, gastroenteritis, typhoid and poliomyelitis. Their diet is omnivorous and includes fermenting substances, soiled dressing, hair, leather, parchment, wallpaper, faeces and food for human consumption. The latter may be contaminated either by the mechanical transfer of causative agents of disease from the insect’s body, or by transmission in the faeces.
7.2.2.3 Control
Monitoring and control is essential, although successful control of cockroaches is a complex subject, and depends very much upon tailoring control measures to the species concerned. Infestations can be difficult to control as cockroach eggs are poorly penetrated by insecticides. Consequently, surveillance of the area by the pest control contractor may need to be prolonged.
7.2.2.4 Hygiene and management
A high standard of hygiene will deny sources of food and hiding places.
7.2.3 Ants
7.2.3.1 Black ants
Foraging worker ants cause a nuisance as they travel widely in search of food, following well-defined trails and clustering around the food source. Sweet foods are preferred. They are obviously an unpleasant sight and may damage food for human consumption.
7.2.3.2 Pharaoh’s ants
These 2mm omnivorous light brown ants are half the size of black ants. They cannot breed without artificial heat, are very persistent and pose a serious cross infection risk in hospitals. The ants may be found in wall cavities, heating pipes, behind sinks and ovens and therefore in laundry, linen rooms, clinical and residential areas. They are particularly attracted to sweet or light protein.
7.2.3.3 Hygiene and management
Although frequently inaccessible and difficult to destroy, ants’ nests must be eradicated. If infestation is to be successfully controlled, hormone treatment is required which sterilises the female ant.
7.2.4 Wasps
Wasp stings cause pain and distress. Some individuals are particularly sensitive. Wasp nests are only used for one season, so it may be possible to put up with the problem temporarily. They are often found in cavities in brickwork, in air bricks and roof vents. The nest can be treated by the trust’s pest control contractor; such work may be best carried out in the evening or weekend as poisoned stupefied wasps can cause problems. Attention should be paid to areas around rubbish bins that could be kept in a hygienic condition.
7.2.5 Other insect pests
There are many other insect pests that occur sporadically in hospitals. The most common of these being flies of various species, crickets, silverfish and stored product insects and mites which can be found infesting dried foods such as flour weevils.
7.2.6 Mice and rats
These are the vertebrates with greatest potential for damage to food stocks and building fabric in hospitals. Moderm rodenticides are extremely efficient in the eradication of mice and rats from hospitals.
The trust will notify the relevant local authority of any infestation of its land or buildings by rats and mice in “substantial numbers” as required by the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act (1949). Rodents have been known to gnaw through electric cables and cause fires. All sightings and other evidence of their presence should be reported.
The trust will take reasonable steps to ensure that its buildings are rodent proofed by, for example, fitting collars where pipes pass through walls and by filling gaps in the building fabric. All food and organic waste shall be kept in rodent proof containers.
7.2.7 Bats
Bats are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) Regulations (1994). The penalties for contravention are severe. If bats are discovered in any of the trust’s buildings or on any of its land, they must not under any circumstances be killed, expelled, stopped from gaining access, touched or disturbed. Contractors must be prevented from doing work anywhere near them. English Nature should be contacted for advice.
7.2.8 Birds
The nuisance of birds can be controlled in the first instance by preventative measures, for example, blocking of nesting holes and the application of devices to discourage perching. Netting and trapping can also be considered with the aim of immediate release away from the area or location of capture. As a last resort birds may be culled by shooting with the approval of the trust chief executive and local police authority. No attempt should be made to poison them. Whichever method is employed it should take into account whether the birds are currently in a nesting season or whether they are protected by law. Advice should be sought from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
7.2.9 Squirrels
The most serious damage in urban areas arises where the squirrel enters the roof spaces of premises by climbing the walls or jumping from nearby trees. Once inside, they chew woodwork, ceilings, electrical wiring insulation or tear up loft insulation to form a drey. The best method of control is to proof the building or loft. Prevention is better than cure. If a cure is required, the best form of control is trapping with the use of a squirrel trap.
7.2.10 Foxes
Foxes may occasionally spread disease such as toxocara and leptospirosis, but the risk is believed to be small. More significantly foxes cause nuisance in a number of ways. During the mating season the noise of barks and blood-curdling screams proliferate and in addition to the feeding habits described above there may be damage to grounds caused when digging for food and the indiscriminate depositing of faeces.
Document control
- Version: 7.
- Unique reference number: 186.
- Approved by: estates and sustainability group.
- Date approved: 9 December 2025.
- Name of originator or author: head of estates.
- Name of responsible committee or individual: director of finance and estates.
- Date issued: 18 December 2025.
- Review date: December 2028.
Page last reviewed: December 18, 2025
Next review due: December 18, 2026
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