Pest control in Adelaide: costs, city services and local pests

Quick answer: The City of Adelaide does not destroy European wasp nests on private property, but it removes nests in public places, and some neighbouring councils such as Mitcham and Port Adelaide Enfield advertise free help for residents. For other pests, hire a business holding an SA Health Pest Controller’s licence.

Local pest issues in Adelaide

European wasps. The City of Adelaide says European wasps are very common throughout Adelaide, with nests found in vents, building cavities, trees, the ground and even house ceilings. The council does not currently destroy nests on private property and asks residents to use a licensed pest control operator at their own expense; for a nest in a public place, report it with a photo or exact location and the council will remove it.

Other Adelaide councils take a different line. The City of Mitcham advertises that it will destroy a European wasp nest for free if you have found the nest (1300 133 466), Port Adelaide Enfield says it helps residents manage European wasps and bees free of charge, Walkerville Council will remove nests if you call during business hours, and the City of Marion has trialled free nest removal from private residential properties. Check your own council before paying.

Rats, cockroaches and mosquitoes. The City of Adelaide names the Norway rat and the roof rat as the two common rats in its area, and the American cockroach (found in sewers and drains) and German cockroach (found in food preparation areas) as the most common cockroaches. It treats stormwater side-entry pits to cut mosquito breeding. For bees, it treats a nuisance swarm in a public area, but a hive on your property must be removed at your expense.

Council services around Adelaide

Council	European wasps	Other pest help	Charge
City of Adelaide	Removes nests in the public realm; not on private property	Treats nuisance bees in public areas; mosquito treatment of stormwater pits	Free to report; private nests at your cost
City of Mitcham	Destroys located nests for residents	Pest advice	Free (1300 133 466)
Port Adelaide Enfield	Helps residents manage European wasps and bees	Advice on mosquitoes, rats, snakes, pigeons, magpies and foxes	Free
Walkerville Council	Removes nests on request, business hours	Pest advice	Free (8342 7100)
City of Marion	Trialled free removal from private homes; staff attend nests on council land	Pest advice	Free (trial)

These services change and some are trials, so confirm with your council before assuming a nest will be removed free of charge.

What private pest control costs in Adelaide

We have not found a reliable published price list specific to Adelaide, so use the national reported ranges in our Australia pest control cost guide. As a guide, hipages reports rodent removal at $250–$350, cockroach treatment at $215–$315 and bee or wasp nest removal at $100–$550, and puts a pre-purchase pest inspection at around $250. Termite work is priced separately and can run into the thousands for a full barrier.

Before paying for a European wasp nest, check whether your council offers free removal; that is the one local saving we can point to.

Our checklist for comparing callouts, follow-up visits and quotes shows what to line up side by side. We are a comparison and referral service, not a pest control company; the form below passes your request to licensed firms that cover your area.

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We are a comparison and referral service, not a pest control company. We do not guarantee a quote, a price or a response time. If there is an immediate risk to health or safety, contact the relevant emergency service.

Renting in Adelaide: who deals with pests

The South Australian Government’s guidance on repairs says tenants are usually responsible for getting rid of pests and landlords need to seal off any entry points. Landlords are usually responsible for certain pests such as snakes, and during a tenancy where they breach the agreement, for example by leaving piles of rubbish in the garden. Consumer and Business Services can advise if you disagree. See also pests in a rented home.

How to choose a pest controller here

In South Australia all pest control businesses and pest management technicians must be licensed by Controlled Substances Licensing in SA Health, under the Controlled Substances Act 1984 and the Controlled Substances (Pesticides) Regulations 2017. The business holds a Pest Controller’s licence and every technician works under one. SA Health publishes a list of licensed pest controller businesses you can check.
Get the scope in writing: which pests, inside and outside, number of visits, any warranty period and what it excludes.
For termites, ask whether the report follows the Australian Standard for inspections and whether a durable notice is on the property.
Ask what the treatment means for children and pets and when rooms can be re-entered; our guide to treatments around children and pets lists the questions.
Compare at least two quotes. See choosing a pest controller.

Pest control providers in Adelaide

These businesses appear in public business listings for Adelaide. We have not checked their SA Health licences or insurance, so check SA Health’s list before booking.