FAQ
Having unwanted pests in your home or business can lead to so many questions: Where did they come from? How do I get rid of them? When do I need to call a professional? We are here to answer questions and support you in dealing with your pest problems.
What qualifications do you hold?
All fully qualified pest control technicians are required to hold The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) – Level 2 award in Pest Management. This can be obtained through the British Pest Control Association (BPCA). There is also commitment to keeping practice up to date by taking part in regular Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Do you hold indemnity insurance and are your staff insured?
Yes, at Sparta Pest Control, your safety is important to us and we have all the insurance protection you would expect a professional company to hold.This includes public liability and professional indemnity insurance. This means we are fully covered in the unlikely event that something goes wrong on your premises or at your home.
What type of properties do we provide a service to?
As a family run business based in North London, we provide a pest control service to both domestic (home owners or landlords) and commercial premises. We are committed to provide all our customers with a personalised and high level service, now matter how big or small your or your company’s pest problem is.
What pests do you treat?
At Sparta Pest Control, we routinely treat Mice, Rats, Squirrels, Black Ants, Pharaoh Ants, Bed Bugs, Clothes Moths, Fleas, German Cockroaches, Oriental Cockroaches, Wasps and Hornets.
Do you cover my area?
We cover all areas in the London Boroughs of Enfield and Haringey and some surrounding areas.
What types of commercial customers do you have?
With our commercial customers we, at Sparta Pest Control, have contacts in place at nurseries, care homes, restaurants, factories and charities to name a few. We also work alongside facilities managers , property managers, estate managers and landlords. Whether you own a small restaurant or run a multi-site operation, we can tailor our service to your needs.
Do you offer pest control contracts?
We offer pest control contracts. This type of service is usually used by commercial properties i.e restaurants, warehouses etc however it is not restricted to these types of establishments and we also have monthly maintenance plans at residential properties. New regulations advise that rodenticides are monitored on a monthly basis. A report will be made on each visit that will have details of the routine visit and any recommendations. This is provided in an electronic folder supplied by Sparta Pest Control. This folder will contain COSHH Regulations, Risk Assessment and a Schedule of Pesticides. We also keep an online record of visits.
Do you provide free surveys?
We do charge a small and fair price for surveys. If we go ahead with a treatment plan on the day of the survey, the cost of the survey is incorporated in the treatment plan. We can always provide free advice and a quote over the telephone.
How quickly can you respond to my pest problem?
We’ll always aim to visit within 24 hours, although some jobs may be more complex and require more time.
What are your working hours?
Mon – Fri – 9am – 7pm. Saturday – 10am – 3pm. Sunday – Closed .
Do you offer a pest proofing service?
Once the treatment is completed, we can carry out an additional service of rodent proofing using robust professional products. At times, we do undertake minor proofing as part of the treatment plan.
Do you offer a sanitising service?
Yes, after a pest control treatment for mice, rats or squirrels, we can provide an additional service to remove droppings and urine and associated germs. New homeowners and tenants may also require a service before they move into a property.
Are pest proofing and sanitising additional services and costs?
Yes, usually these jobs require more time and usually more products. In some instances we can fill in some minor gaps without applying an extra charge. At times, customers may contact us to only undertake pest proofing works as a preventative measure before any pest issues occur.
How do I book an appointment?
We usually recommend that you contact us directly on 0208 886 8722 / 07493 447709 or send a text or whats app message to 07493 447709. Alternatively fill in a Contact form on the Website or send us an email on info@spartapestcontrol.co.uk
How long should I allow for a visit?
An initial average visit is around 45 minutes, chemical treatments, pest proofing and sanitising visits may take longer.
Do I have to be at home when you attend?
Yes, we do require the homeowner or a responsible nominated adult to be at the property as our point of contact. We will need to discuss the treatment we are carrying out and any recommendations, arrange follow up visits and answer any questions. During chemical treatments for Bed Bugs , Fleas and other insects , we may need you to be away from your property up to 6 hours to allow the chemical to dry.
When and how can I pay?
You can make the payment with cash or make an online bank payment. The full payment is expected within 7 days of our initial visit.
I am a tenant but my landlord is going to pay?
We operate a “Whoever instructs us kindly pays us” policy. Therefore, if your landlord is going to pay, they should contact and instruct us directly.
Can I carry out pest control myself?
We would always recommend using a professional pest controller for all pest problems. Not only does it increase your chance of a successful treatment but it can also avoid your pest problem from becoming worse and out of control.
Are the products that you use safe for children and pets?
Yes, our customer’s health and safety is paramount. We will always undertake a risk assessment before a treatment to ensure that it is safe to do so. Every professional product we use has a health and safety data sheet to allow us to choose the right product for the job. All our traps and rodenticide points are always set in safe locations and we always use tamper proof, lockable boxes for rodent treatments outside.
Chemical treatments - How long after the service until I can sweep / mop?
We recommend that you sweep/mop your floor the day before your pest treatment. This will increase the change of the treatment being effective as pesticide products will bind more effectively to a clean, dry surface. Please do not mop on the same day of the service as we do not want to apply products to a wet floor.
Ideally, avoid mopping the floor after the treatment for as long as possible. When you do need to clean the floor, keep in mind that the perimeter spray is generally applied to the skirting and kick boards in the kitchen, so avoiding mopping right to the edges of the floor will prolong the effectiveness of the treatment.
How quickly do Mice reproduce?
Mice reproduce exceptionally quickly for a mammal – from birth to reproductive maturity, a female mouse needs only six short weeks. Litter size can range from 3-14, but six-to-eight is typical.
How do you treat mice ?
We use designated rodenticides to target them effectively. We use lockable bait stations and trays with rodenticide to treat rodents. The rodenticides we use come in different forms; pastes, grain, gel and blocks.
How do you treat rats ?
Our preferred method is the use of professional rat traps. In some instances we may need to use rodenticide.
How do you treat squirrels ?
We will always use professionally approved traps for Squirrels.
I’ve used expanding foam to fill gaps. Will this keep out rodents?
Unfortunately rodents can easily chew through expanding foam, and it can even be used as a source of food or place of shelter to nest in. We will always use rodent approved products, like rodent proof mesh, metal plates, tapes and gels.
What do I do if I find a wasp nest?
If you find a wasp nest it is very important that you do not disturb it as wasps can become very aggressive. It is best to leave it alone and call us to make an appointment for a technician to attend and treat the nest. In some instances, the nest is always not visible , but you will see wasps coming out of certain areas like tiles or air bricks.
Do you take away wasp or hornet nests?
We will always make sure wasp nests and hornet nests are inhabitable post treatment. Where we can, we will destroy/remove the nest. Please note that this is not always possible as the nest might not always be visible and might be at a location that is out of reach beneath tiles, above ceilings and inside cavity walls.
What should I do about a swarm of bees?
It is important to remember that bees are not pests! In the case of a bee swarm the most appropriate method of control is the safe removal of the swarm to a hive by an experienced beekeeper. The British Bee Keepers Association website has lots of useful information and a local bee keeper finder tool.