Pest control and other council service fees in Blackburn with Darwen are increasing, effective April 1.
Pest control costs are going up. Removing fleas and cockroaches from homes will cost more, increasing from £70 to £75. Some pest control prices remain the same, however. Wasp removal stays at £60, garden ant control is still £45, and bed bug removal remains £165.
Commercial rat and mice removal will increase. Three visits will cost £205, previously £200. Cockroach removal for businesses also rises: two visits will now cost £205, up from the old price of £200. They charge more to remove fleas as well. Two visits now cost £140, previously £135.
Wasp and garden ant removal costs more for businesses. The new cost is £70, whereas it used to be £65.
Getting a new domestic bin also increases to £75, from the previous price of £70. Garden waste collection services are changing too. The regular yearly charge rises to £45, previously £40. Early bird subscriptions rise as well; they will be £40 per year, up from the current price of £35.
Collecting stray dogs still costs £50. Street scene and refuse service costs have gone up because staff, vehicles, and fuel are more expensive. Fees help cover these rising costs. The council reviews these fees yearly, and increases often happen on April 1.
Finally, tree work costs are rising too. These changes range from 4.76% to 15.38%, and also start on April 1.