Help & Support

• VIVID will look into and treat any communal areas that have signs of pests such as the bin store of shared hallways
• We'll block up any entry points such as holes and damaged vents that pests may be using to get into your home, once the pests have been removed
• If you're a shared owner or leaseholder, it is your responsibility to maintain pests and block up the access points in your home, unless your lease states otherwise
• We use an external contractor called Countrywide who will arrange an initial visit to inspect, create a plan of action and then begin treatment/baiting

• If the issues are in your home or personal garden, then this will be your responsibility to resolve.  Some Local Authorities can offer a means tested service - you can find further information by contacting your local authority 
• We'll investigate and treat any communal areas
• We'll block up holes and mesh vents that pests may be using to get into your home

In most circumstances this is a customer responsibility, however, there are circumstances where we may intervene, your neighbourhood officer will assess this on a case-by-case basis.

• If you have any pests, such as birds, in your loft or chimney, please contact your local RSPCA for advice
• VIVID won't remove these, as pests in your home are down to you to look after, however once the pest has been removed we will attend to block up any entry points
• If you live in a flat, the loft space is classed as a communal space, so please get in contact so we can get this looked into

As the seasons change, it’s normal to see more insects and wildlife around your home. This is part of nature and usually temporary, most activity will settle down after a few weeks.
Here’s what to expect each season:
Spring & Summer (March–July)

• Birds nesting in hedges and shrubs. If you see birds nesting in hedges (March–August), please avoid trimming or cutting. We can’t undertake hedge trimming, where we're responsible, between March and August due to the Wildlife and Country Act 1981, around nesting birds. We'll restart hedge/shrub trimming from September onwards
• Birds & Bats: All wild birds (including pigeons) and bats are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It’s illegal to harm, remove, or disturb them, their nests, or eggs. You can find out more on the RSPB website
• Bees tend to be more active between March and October, peaking in the warmer month, we don't remove bee hives, you can find out more in this British Pest Control Association leaflet
• Ants become more noticeable in and around the home, this is something that VIVID will not attend to

Late Summer & Autumn (August–October)

• Wasps at peak activity as nests mature, avoid disturbing them, if the nests are in a communal area VIVID will look into this
• Ants and ladybugs more noticeable in and around the home, this is something that VIVID won’t attend to
• Spiders and cluster flies increase indoors, this is something that VIVID won’t attend to

Winter (November–February):

• Silverfish are attracted to damp areas, once the damp has been managed, these should not appear. VIVID will not manage the silverfish, however we can help with damp issues, please contact us to report any damp concerns you have
• Rodents may seek warmth indoors, which will be down to you to deal with. We'll investigate and treat any communal areas as well as block up holes or mesh vents that pests may be using to get into your home

• Keep properties clean and tidy, including gardens
• Dispose of rubbish and regularly empty bins. A regular clean will help to avoid fly eggs turning into maggots, which is customer responsibility to maintain
• Don’t leave food out as this can attract pests
• Keep pet food stored in an air tight container
• Keep pets flea treatment up to date

• We will not remove pests that are protected
• As the seasons change, certain pests will increase, such as spiders, ants or ladybirds. These will decrease after a few weeks and would be down to you to manage
• If you're struggling to look after your home, please get in touch and our Neighbourhoods team can help you