Capturing household pests for identification purposes (South Cambridgeshire District Council residents only)

South Cambridgeshire District Council is able to offer a free service to South Cambridgeshire residents for the identification of household pests.

If you wish for a trained pest control officer to identify your pest and make recommendations for the treatment of the infestation please follow the steps outlined below:

  • Ensure that it is safe to pick up the specimen.
  • Ensure that the specimen is dead.
  • Pick up the specimen using a piece of tissue or kitchen towel
  • Place the specimen in a sealed, airtight container.
  • Mark your name and address clearly on the container or an accompanying piece of paper. Please mark the container "Pest Control Sample"; it saves the office staff from any nasty surprises!
  • Either post the item to our offices in a padded envelope or bring them into us.
    Contact details for Health and Environmental Services.


Once one of our officers has identified the pest, you will be contacted and they will recommend a suitable treatment. We aim to do this within 3 working days of receipt of the specimen, although in some cases this may take longer if the pest is difficult to identify.

Stonewall, Gay and Lesbian Charity - opens in a new windowBeacon Authority logoInvestor in People logo