Modern lifestyles 'increase rat problem'

Apr 13, 2010

A report by the National Pest Technicians Association has said modern lifestyles are providing too much food for rodents in towns and cities - and they were becoming an increasing problem as a result.

More than eight out of 10 environmental health or pest control officers blamed overfeeding of garden birds for increasing urban rodent populations.

More than half (55%) pinpointed poor management of public sewers, while almost half (48%) said badly managed domestic waste was a problem. In addition, 47% pointed towards home compost bins which rats and mice could get into easily.

The report added that providing food for garden birds, composting and efforts to boost recycling with fortnightly bin collections were all important to help the environment. But household waste needed to be kept in properly secured wheelie bins, rather than bags or boxes, particularly where there were increasing amounts of waste left out for alternate week collections.

Compost bins should only take vegetable waste, and should be mounted on solid surfaces and securely covered to prevent rodents getting in, the association's report said.

It also recommended the use of bird tables to cut down on the numbers of rats, mice and pigeons feasting on seeds and nuts put out for wild birds.

NPTA survey co-ordinator Barrie Sheard, said: ''Our 2008/9 survey underlines over-feeding of wild birds, neglect in public sewers, poorly managed domestic waste and poor compost bin security as the main factors responsible for the increasing control challenge seen by the overwhelming majority of pest control professionals over the past 10 years.

''Three of these factors directly encourage rat and mouse populations to build by making food readily available. So, when combined with today's far more reactive and piecemeal approach to control, it really isn't surprising our country continues to be unable to keep on top of rodent problems.''

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