Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 23 September 2026
Plymouth's mix of housing throws up its own pest problems. The Victorian terraces around Stoke and Greenbank have old suspended timber floors and gaps around bay windows that mice love, while the newer estates out towards Derriford and Woolwell tend to see more wasp nests in cavity walls and loft insulation. Down near the Hoe and Barbican, the older stone buildings and nearby waterfront bring rats into the mix, especially in autumn when they move indoors looking for warmth. Plymouth's damp climate, all that rain rolling in off the Sound, also means damp timber and cluttered gardens attract everything from silverfish to ants. Whatever the postcode, a local pest controller who knows the housing stock usually spots the entry points faster than someone unfamiliar with the city.
The businesses featured here are pulled from public business listings and ranked mainly on review rating and review count, with a modest boost for those with a working website and phone number. We also check each business's homepage to confirm pest control is genuinely what they do day to day, which stops unrelated tradespeople slipping onto this page. Listings flagged as permanently closed are stripped out automatically. Where you spot a Trust Verified badge, that business has gone through our fuller checks covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information (our How We Verify page sets out exactly what that involves). For any business without the badge, those checks haven't been done by us, so it's worth doing your own homework before booking.
Before you commit to anyone, ask what treatment method they'll use and whether it needs more than one visit, since wasp nests and rat infestations often do. Check they carry public liability insurance and, for anything involving rodenticides or professional-use pesticides, ask about their qualifications (a BPCA membership or equivalent training is a good sign). Get a written quote that spells out what's covered if the pests come back within a set period. It's worth calling two or three firms rather than accepting the first quote, since prices and callout times can vary a fair bit across Plymouth depending on how busy they are.
How We Select & Rate The Best Pest Controllers in Plymouth
Rankings are based on review rating and review count from public business listings, with a small lift for businesses that show a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm pest control is what they primarily offer, which keeps unrelated trades off this page. Listings marked permanently closed are removed automatically. Businesses displaying a Trust Verified badge have additionally passed our full verification, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information; see our How We Verify page for full details. Other businesses listed haven't been independently verified by us, and their inclusion isn't an endorsement. Always carry out your own checks before hiring anyone.
Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. Every other listing is ranked on rating and review count from third-party business listings. How we rank & verify →
A & S Pest Control handles infestations of rodents, insects and other pests for households and businesses across Plymouth. Jobs range from one-off treatments to ongoing prevention work, with call-outs arranged directly through the company's website.
SPCPMS is a pest control operation working across Plymouth, dealing with common infestations found in homes and gardens across the city. Treatments are arranged directly with the business through its website.
Plymouth properties dealing with rodents, insects or wasp nests can call on Gavlars Pest Control for treatment and removal. Jobs are arranged directly with the firm rather than through a call centre.
Transparency notice: Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. All other listings are ranked by a combined score drawn from ratings and review counts published on third-party business listings, plus basic completeness signals such as a working website and phone. A Trust Verified badge means we have independently checked that business's documents; businesses without it have not been independently verified by us. How we verify →
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For a straightforward wasp nest treatment, expect somewhere between £60 and £120 depending on where the nest is and how accessible it is. Mouse or rat treatments usually run from £80 to £200 for an initial visit, with follow-ups sometimes included or charged separately at £40 to £60 a time. Bigger jobs, like a full rat infestation in a garden with decking or outbuildings, can climb past £300 once multiple visits and bait stations are involved. Prices vary between firms in Plymouth, so it's worth getting two or three quotes before deciding.
How quickly can a pest controller in Plymouth come out?
Most local firms offer same-day or next-day callouts for urgent issues like wasp nests, particularly in warmer months when call volumes are higher. Rat and mouse problems are usually treated as slightly less urgent but still booked within a day or two. If you're dealing with something in a food business or rental property, mention that when you call, as it can bump you up the priority list.
Do I need a licence to deal with pests myself, or should I always call a professional?
Some pest control products sold to the public are limited in strength compared to what professionals can use, and certain rodenticides are restricted to trained operators under UK regulations. For wasps near a loft space, bees (which are usually best left alone or reported to a beekeeper), or persistent rat problems, it's generally safer and more effective to call a professional rather than relying on shop-bought traps and sprays.
Will my landlord or letting agent cover the cost of pest control in Plymouth?
It depends on the tenancy agreement and where the infestation originated. If it's a structural issue, like gaps under floorboards or damaged airbricks letting rodents in, that's usually the landlord's responsibility. If pests arrived because of how the property's been kept, tenants may be liable. Check your tenancy agreement and raise it with your letting agent before booking treatment yourself, so you know who's paying.
How do I stop pests coming back after treatment?
Ask the pest controller for specific proofing advice for your property, things like sealing gaps around pipework, fitting bristle strips under doors, or cutting back ivy and shrubs that give rodents cover near the house. Keeping bins sealed and food waste tidy makes a real difference in Plymouth's terraced streets where bins are often close to back doors. A good pest controller will point out the weak spots rather than just treating the immediate problem.
What should I check before choosing a pest controller in Plymouth?
Ask to see proof of public liability insurance and, if the job involves professional-use pesticides or rodenticides, evidence of relevant training or BPCA membership. Read through recent reviews rather than just the star rating, since comments often mention how reliable someone was with timing and follow-up visits. Get a written quote covering the cost, number of visits, and what happens if the problem isn't resolved first time. Comparing two or three quotes will also give you a feel for what's reasonable for your particular pest problem.
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