Pest Control Whitby

Pest Control in Whitby

Whitby is a historic fishing port on the North Yorkshire coast, famous for its ruined abbey, its harbour and its connection to Captain Cook and Bram Stoker. The town is built on both sides of the River Esk where it meets the sea, with steep streets climbing the cliff sides and tightly packed cottages and houses filling every available space. The coastal position and the harbour make seagulls one of the biggest pest issues in Whitby. Herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls nest on rooftops across the town, diving at people during the breeding season, tearing open bin bags and creating noise from dawn until dusk. We carry out seagull deterrent work on properties throughout Whitby, fitting spike and net systems to prevent nesting and roosting.

The harbour and the fish quay attract rats and the town's position at the mouth of the Esk means the river provides a corridor for rat activity running right through the centre. The old town on the east side has narrow yards and passages between buildings where rats move unseen and the older drainage beneath these streets is in varying condition. Food waste from the many fish and chip shops, restaurants and cafes that serve visitors keeps the rodent pressure high through the tourist season and properties in Church Street, the old town and around the harbour see the most activity.

The tightly packed housing on both sides of the river also creates conditions for mouse problems. The old cottages have shared walls, cellars and structural gaps that mice use to move between properties. Holiday lets make up a big proportion of housing in the centre and properties that sit empty between bookings can attract mice without the problem being noticed. Wasp nest removal is a summer job across the town, with the cliff-side houses and their varied rooflines providing plenty of nesting opportunities. Whitby's unique character brings unique pest challenges, shaped by the sea, the river and the ancient fabric of the town.