Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 4 October 2026
Poole throws up a fair mix of pest problems, largely down to the town's spread of housing. The older terraces around Parkstone and Longfleet, many with suspended timber floors and Victorian brickwork, are prone to rats getting in under floorboards and mice finding gaps around old pipework. Out towards Canford Heath and Merley, newer estates back onto open ground and woodland, which brings wasps' nests in loft spaces and the odd grey squirrel problem come autumn. Coastal properties near Sandbanks and Lilliput deal with their own issues too, including gulls nesting on flat roofs and damp conditions that attract silverfish. A local pest controller will know these patterns already, which usually means a quicker diagnosis and fewer wasted call-outs.
The businesses listed here are pulled from public business listings and ranked using review rating and review count, with a modest boost for those showing a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm pest control is genuinely their main line of work, which stops general handymen or unrelated trades slipping onto the page. Any listing flagged as permanently closed gets removed automatically. Where you spot a Trust Verified badge, that business has gone through our fuller verification, 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's involved). For businesses without that badge, we haven't independently verified those details, so it's worth doing your own checks before you book anything.
Before hiring, ask what's included in the price: is it a single visit or a full treatment programme with follow-up checks? For rats and mice, find out whether they use bait boxes, traps, or proofing work to block entry points, since a proper job often needs both treatment and prevention. Check they hold public liability insurance and, if it's a wasp nest near a boiler flue or in a loft with electrics nearby, ask how they handle that safely. Get two or three quotes where you can. Prices for similar jobs can vary by £30 or £40 across Poole, and a quick chat on the phone usually tells you a lot about how thorough someone's going to be.
How We Select & Rate The Best Pest Controllers in Poole
Rankings are based on review rating and review count from public business listings, with a small lift given to businesses showing a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm pest control is what they primarily do, which keeps unrelated trades off the page. Listings flagged as permanently closed are removed automatically. Businesses marked Trust Verified have gone further, passing our full verification of trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information; see our How We Verify page for the complete list. Other businesses shown here 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 →
Pest-Clear Dorset operates out of Poole, covering pest control, removal, and ongoing pest management. The business holds a five-star Google rating across 120 reviews, pointing to consistent results in the field. Its scope spans the full cycle of a pest problem, from initial treatment through to longer-term management, rather than one-off callouts alone.
Wasp nest removal is one of the most requested jobs for BMS Pest Control, a Poole firm that also deals with rats, mice and other household and commercial infestations. Work is carried out across the town and the surrounding Dorset area, with visits arranged around the type of pest and the property involved. The business holds a 5 out of 5 rating on Google from 54 reviews.
Families across Poole facing wasp nests, rodents or other unwelcome visitors call on The Pest Detective to identify the problem and deal with it properly. The BH16 5BU based firm has built a reputation on thorough inspection work rather than quick fixes, reflected in a 5 star average from 50 reviews. Local households return to them for ongoing peace of mind.
Poole and the surrounding BH17 area are covered by Britannic Pest Control, dealing with rodents, insects and wasp nests in domestic and commercial properties. Callouts are arranged directly with the business, which has built a 4.9 rating from 47 reviews. Treatments follow an inspection to identify entry points and the extent of an infestation before work begins.
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 single treatment, such as a wasp nest removal, expect to pay somewhere between £60 and £90 depending on how accessible the nest is. Rat or mouse treatments usually run from £80 to £180 for an initial visit plus a follow-up, though ongoing rodent contracts for landlords or businesses can be priced monthly. Bedbugs and flea treatments tend to sit higher, often £150 to £300 depending on how many rooms are affected. Prices vary with property size, how bad the infestation is, and whether proofing work is needed afterwards. Getting two or three quotes is normal practice and worth doing, since call-out charges and what's included can differ quite a bit between companies.
Do I need to be home when the pest controller visits?
For most jobs, yes, at least for the first visit, so they can access lofts, under-stairs cupboards or wherever the problem is. Some companies can treat exterior wasp nests or set bait boxes in outbuildings without you being present, so it's worth asking when you book. If you're a landlord in Poole managing a rental in Hamworthy or Broadstone, many pest controllers are happy to coordinate directly with a tenant instead.
Will a pest controller give me a written report or certificate?
Most reputable firms will provide some form of written confirmation, especially for landlords or if you need proof for a mortgage survey or property sale. This might be a treatment report, a proofing certificate, or a simple invoice detailing what was found and done. Ask for this upfront if you'll need it, since not every company offers it as standard.
How quickly can someone come out for a wasp nest or rat infestation?
Wasp nests are usually treated as urgent, and many Poole-based pest controllers offer same-day or next-day appointments in the warmer months when call-outs spike. Rats and mice are less time-critical but still worth acting on quickly, as infestations spread fast, particularly in terraced housing where they can move between neighbouring properties through shared walls or drains.
Are the chemicals and treatments used safe for children and pets?
Licensed pest controllers use products approved for domestic use, but some rodenticides and insecticides still need careful placement away from where pets or kids can reach them. Always ask what's being used and where it'll be placed, and follow any instructions about keeping rooms closed off or pets away for a set period after treatment.
How should I choose between pest controllers in Poole?
Start by checking recent reviews for similar jobs to yours, whether that's wasp nests, rats, or a bedbug problem, since experience with your specific issue matters. Ask to see proof of public liability insurance and check whether they hold a relevant pest control qualification such as BPCA membership, as this isn't something automatically checked on this page unless a business carries our Trust Verified badge. Get a written quote before work starts, confirm what's included if a follow-up visit is needed, and ask how they dispose of dead rodents or nests safely. A quick phone call before booking often reveals how professional and communicative they'll be on the day.
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