What this tool does

This interactive tool helps you identify what type of pest is causing problems in your home based on the evidence you've found. You describe the symptoms like droppings, sounds, damage or location, and it narrows down whether you're dealing with rats, mice, wasps, squirrels or other common UK pests.

The tool then gives you specific advice for your situation, including health risks to be aware of, practical steps you can take yourself, and when you need to call in professional help.

When to use it

Use the tool when you've spotted signs of unwanted visitors but aren't sure what you're dealing with. Maybe you've heard scratching in the loft, found mysterious droppings in the kitchen, or noticed damage to food packaging or structures around your home.

Getting the identification right matters because different pests need different approaches. What works for mice won't work for wasps, and some pests carry serious health risks that need urgent action while others are mainly a nuisance.

How it works

You answer five simple questions about where you've noticed problems, what the droppings look like if you've found any, what sounds you've heard, what damage you've seen, and any other details. The tool then matches these symptoms to the most likely culprits and explains why.

You'll get advice tailored to your specific pest, covering everything from DIY solutions you can try to when you should contact your local council pest control service or find a BPCA-registered private company. Nothing you enter is saved and you don't need to create an account to use it.