Bild på en råttfälla.

Mice can often be removed with a standard mousetrap.

General advice on pest control

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There are several preventative measures to reduce the risk of pests. And if you do end up with a pest infestation, do not wait to get rid of them. The faster you try to get rid of pests, the easier it will be to fight them.

Tips to keep pests away

  • Keep your home clean and dry. This eliminates many feeding and egg-laying places for many species of insects. You also eliminate the pests’ access to food, nutrients and water.
  • Research to find out if there are suitable traps for the pest in question.
  • Prevent pests from entering your home through openings or doors, windows, etc.
  • There are several alternative methods of control where so-called “environmentally friendly preparations” are used. If you want to use this type of product, you should use caution. The substances you use in these preparations can be harmful to health or the environment and it is often uncertain how effective these preparations are.
  • Do not wait to eliminate pests. The faster you try to get rid of pests, the easier it will be to fight them. In addition, the damage caused is likely to be reduced if you fight the pests as early as possible.

If you need to use chemicals

If you are unable to eliminate pests through physical methods, it may be a good idea to hire a professional. It is usually safer for both you and the environment, because a person with the right training and experience knows how the agents should be used in the most effective way possible. You can usually get in touch with a pest control company through your home insurance company. If you rent your home, it is your property owner who should contact a pest control company.

If you are going to buy chemicals to control pests

  • Only buy products that are approved by the Swedish Chemicals Agency.
  • Approved agents always have a four-digit registration number and are divided into three authorisation classes. You need to pay attention to the authorisation classification. Only products marked with Class 3 may be used by the general public.
  • In the the Pesticides Register ( in Swedish only) External link., you can check the registration number and see if the product is approved, what class it belongs to and find other important information.
  • Ask in the store how to use the product safely and effectively.
  • Look for the warning label and read the information on the product packaging so that you are aware of the hazards associated with the product and know how to handle the product safely before you purchase it.
  • If you buy a pesticide on the internet, you always have the right to receive all hazard information about the product before you make the purchase. Keep in mind that other countries may have other regulations, but any agents that are to be used in Sweden must follow Swedish regulations.

Once you bring the product into your home

  • Store the agent out of reach and sight of children.
  • Always store the product in its original packaging.
  • Look for the warning label and follow the instructions on the package before opening the product packaging.
  • When you are done with the pesticide, ensure that you dispose of the leftover product and packaging properly. Information must be found on the packaging.
  • Return any remaining product, including empty packaging, as hazardous waste to a waste disposal site.

In case of an accident

Call 112 and request Poisons Information if someone has ingested a substance that can cause injury or poisoning or if someone gets such a substance on their skin.

Read about labelling and hazard symbols

Last published 24 May 2021