RAT MAP: We identify Rotherham's worst vermin areas

VALLEY ward has been revealed as Rotherham’s rat capital, after figures showed three infestation complaints a week there.

Residents in the area—which includes East Herringthorpe, Dalton and parts of Thrybergh, Herringthorpe and Brecks—made 151 reports in the past year.

This was almost four times the number of calls picked up by pest control from Anston and Woodsetts and Wingfield, with 42 each.

There were 1,841 complaints across Rotherham in 12 months, with Freedom of Information figures showing the problem generally worsens in the centre of the borough.

Nearly 400 of these were from Boston Castle, Rotherham East and Rotherham West, the three wards covering most of the town’s centre.

Built-up smaller towns and urban areas including Wath, Rawmarsh and Dinnington also saw high numbers of complaints.

The total was down 16 per cent on the previous year, prompting Rotherham Borough Council to pay tribute to its hard-working pest control team.

The figures for Valley show the problem had been much worse—with more than 200 complaints in the year ending August 2010.

Cllr Rose McNeely, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, asked to see the pest control team’s work soon after taking up her new role in May.

She said: “I saw first-hand the professional and dedicated way the men carried out their work. The customers we visited expressed thanks and praise for the service.

“The council has kept its no charge policy for domestic rats, and it’s welcome news that our commitment has contributed to the reduction in the numbers of rats being reported.

“However, we should not rest on our laurels, and I ask that if anyone does has a rat problem, to promptly report it to ensure our public health is protected.”

Rats can carry diseases such as tuberculosis, E.Coli, salmonella, foot and mouth and Weil’s disease.

A council spokeswoman said that, despite financial pressures, the council continued to offer a free infestation treatment service to all Rotherham residents.

She added: “The pest control team is professionally qualified and each year make in the region of 10,000 visits to properties for a range of pest problems.

“In addition, officers undertake a number of pro-active sewer treatments during the winter to reduce the overall population of rats within the borough.

“Inevitably, there is a variance of the numbers of rats reported from the various wards within the borough.

“This is a consequence of a range of factors including the willingness of the public to report rats, how built-up an area is, the local geography, such as the proximity of water sources, and the weather conditions experienced especially during the winter and spring.

“Consequently it is important that members of the public report rats through to the Council so that treatments can be undertaken and the population controlled.”

 

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