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Cumbria and The Lakes
Local technicians covering Keswick and the villages around Derwentwater, from Portinscale and Braithwaite to Threlkeld. Rats by the Greta, jackdaws in the chimney and woodworm in old cottages, handled by people who know how Lakeland stone buildings work.
The town we work in
Keswick is a small stone-built town inside the national park, with the River Greta running through it and more visitors than residents for much of the year. Old cottages, the river and tourism set the pest pattern here.
4,658
People in the parish
Population at the 2021 Census. A small town that more than fills up with visitors through the season.
River Greta
Through the middle of town
The Greta runs through Keswick to join the Derwent. Riverside streets and gardens are where rats live closest to homes.
Storm Desmond
December 2015
Keswick was one of the Cumbrian towns hit by blocked roads and collapsed bridges, with some homes evacuated. Flood-damaged drains and outbuildings give rats a way in.
60%+
Work in hospitality
At the start of this century more than 60% of residents worked in hotels, restaurants and distribution. Guest houses and lets are everywhere.
Stone & slate
Old Lakeland buildings
Stone walls and slate roofs, many with original timbers and working chimneys. Old timber suits woodworm and chimneys suit nesting birds.
Since 1951
Inside the national park
The whole parish sits within the Lake District National Park, so fells and woodland come right up to the edge of town.
Sources: Keswick, Cumbria (Wikipedia) · Storm Desmond (Wikipedia)
Local pest pressure
In Keswick, the age of the buildings and the river do most of the damage. Old timber, open chimneys and stone walls give pests a home, and visitors and their dogs bring others in with them.
Properties close to the Greta and its banks see the most rat activity, and floods push rats out of the riverbank into gardens, sheds and cellars. Flood-damaged outbuildings full of stored items make ideal cover. Clearing them out is often part of the fix, and our clearance and cleaning team can do that alongside the treatment.
Jackdaws nest in chimneys, and a full nest can block a flue completely or drop into the fireplace below. Nests are protected while they are in use, so the fix is fitting chimney guards outside the nesting season. Where birds have been nesting in a roof space for years, fouled material may need biohazard cleaning.
Original floorboards, roof timbers and beams in older stone cottages are where the common furniture beetle does its damage, especially where the building has been damp. Fresh, clean exit holes and fine pale dust mean the beetle is still active and the timber needs treating.
Keswick is a popular base for walkers with dogs, and dog-friendly cottages and B&Bs see a steady flow of pets. One visiting dog with fleas can leave a let with eggs and larvae in the carpets that hatch for the next guests.
Mice find their way through gaps in old stone walls and under slate roofs, then nest in loft insulation. In cottages left empty between lets they can settle for weeks unnoticed. Insulation soaked with droppings and urine needs loft insulation removal once the mice are gone.
With most of the town working in hospitality, the busy summer season and big events bring a lot of food, deliveries and waste into a small centre. Regular checks keep problems out of sight of customers and guests.
Sources: Western jackdaw (Wikipedia) · Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, section 1
The Keswick pest year
Spring
Jackdaws return and start filling chimneys. Woodworm beetles start emerging.
Summer
Peak visitor season: fleas in busy lets. Rodents breeding near the river.
Autumn
Mice move into cottages and lofts. Fit chimney guards once nests are empty.
Winter
High water on the Greta moves rats. Empty lets left undisturbed.
Around the northern Lakes
The same technicians cover the West Cumbrian coast, the Eden Valley and the southern Lakes.
Before you book
Rats, birds, woodworm, fleas and mice: what to look for in an older stone property.
Rats in the Garden or House: Signs, Risks, and What Happens If You Ignore Them
Read article →
Pigeons, Gulls and Starlings: The Problems Birds Cause on Buildings
Read article →
Woodworm in the Home: What It Is, What It Looks Like and How to Spot Active Damage
Read article →
Fleas in the House: What They Are, Where They Hide and How to Spot an Infestation
Read article →
Why Do Mice Come Inside? Entry Points, Attractants and How Infestations Start
Read article →More ways we can help
Treating the infestation is sometimes only part of the job. These services help put the property right afterwards.
Our approach to treatment and prevention.
Restoring spaces after contamination.
Finding hidden rat entry routes.
Decontamination for sensitive spaces.
Insulation spoiled by rodents or squirrels.
Clearing difficult properties.
The people behind the work
Questions
Yes. We cover the CA12 area, including Keswick town, Portinscale, Braithwaite and Threlkeld, plus properties further into Borrowdale where we can reach them. Distances in the valleys are longer, so calling early in the day gives you the best chance of a same-day visit. We are open Monday to Thursday 7am to 8pm and Friday to Sunday 8am to 6pm.
Not while the nest is in use. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is an offence to take, damage or destroy the nest of a wild bird while it is being built or used. Do not light a fire under an occupied nest. Once the young have left, the nest can be cleared and a chimney guard fitted so birds cannot get back in next spring.
Look for small, clean, round holes with fine pale dust underneath, especially in spring and summer when the adult beetles emerge. Old holes that are dark inside with no fresh dust may be from an infestation that has died out. Damp timber is most at risk, so it is worth checking for a damp problem at the same time.
Vacuum all carpets, rugs and soft furnishings thoroughly, empty the vacuum outside, and wash bedding and throws on a hot wash. Flea eggs and pupae survive in carpets for weeks, so most lets need a professional treatment of the whole property to stop the next guests being bitten. Call us and we can fit the visit in around your changeover.
Yes. Keswick is in the Cumberland Council area, which offers pest control for homes and businesses in the former Allerdale area by appointment, with charges listed on its website. We work independently, so you can also call us for a local technician, proofing or cleaning after an infestation.
More questions? Read our full FAQ or browse our pest advice.
Cottage, B&B or business, tell us what you have found. A local technician will take it from there.
