INSECT infestations and unwanted rats and mice watch out – a dedicated pest control treatment service is being launched by East Lothian Council.

A scale of charges was agreed by councillors at their meeting on Tuesday, although there will be further discussions to decide what people in receipt of various benefits would pay.

The service will be provided to residents across the county seeking practical help to tackle ‘pests’ ranging from rats and mice to insects and wasps.

After the meeting, Councillor Norman Hampshire, council spokesman for housing and the environment, said: “Local authorities are not required to provide pest control treatment but we believe in East Lothian that a professional service to control pests would be welcomed by local residents and businesses.

“We have compared charges applied at other councils and believe our charging structure is very reasonable and will also offer concessionary rates to ensure a fair access to this service.”

A concessionary rate would be introduced for domestic occupiers in receipt of housing benefit, income support, universal credit, pension credit or income-based jobseekers allowance. The proposals show the charge for each service would reduce by 50 per cent for those fitting the criteria.

Councillor Stuart Currie, SNP opposition leader, questioned if a 50 per cent discount was enough.

He noted someone who was a non-council tenant and qualified for a concession would still have to pay £30.

Mr Currie felt there was a danger people would not report issues because of costs.

Council leader Willie Innes agreed his rival had a point and suggested the idea of a concession could be further considered, with the possibility of the charge scheme being brought back at a future meeting.

East Lothian Council compared costs with neighbouring local authorities for a similar service and charges are expected to range from £40-60, depending on the pest, with reduced costs for people in receipt of benefits.

Currently, if a council tenant has such a problem they can contact housing, who will arrange for a ‘terminator’, usually a private contractor. The new service, carried out by environmental health, will begin later this year.