Bait bid to tackle rats (From Watford Observer)

Bait bid to tackle rats

9:14am Tuesday 23rd December 2003

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A RAT baiting scheme has been launched in sewers across London Colney to try to blitz the rising number of rodents detected in the village.

The number of rat complaints to St Albans District Council has doubled in the last three years, with more than 1,100 complaints coming from people living in London Colney.

Rodent activity in the city and district has increased by 30 per cent over the last three years, with nearly 7,000 rat complaints from St Albans residents.

Following a special rodent control strategy meeting in October, the council's environment and health department agreed to carry out a pilot baiting scheme.

The department will be working with London Colney Parish Council, Thames Water and Hertfordshire Highways to tackle the rat problem. Rat baits have already been lowered into sewers around the High Street in London Colney.

These sites will be re-visited by Thames Water on January 12, 13 and 14 to see if rats have taken up the bait. Environmental health officers will carry out a survey of London Colney to identify areas of land where rats are rife. A member of London Colney Parish Council will be on hand to highlight known rat hot spots.

Officers are also organising a litter pick on major roads that surround London Colney.

Councillor Dreda Gordon, chairman of overview and scrutiny community services said: "Pest management is recognised as a fundamental core activity of public and environmental health.

"I am delighted that we are able to implement so quickly, this very positive action through the pilot scheme, in order to find solutions to the ever increasing rat problem in our district."

Portfolio holder for environment and health Councillor Robert Donald said; "It has been suggested that one of the key reasons for the recent increase in urban rats has been the reduction in sewer baiting by the water companies.

"This pilot should prove this theory, one way or another and help to identify the real scale of the problem locally. I hope very much that the results of the pilot will enable a district-wide strategy beyond London Colney, which will require various partners like Thames Water to work with us to reduce the rat population."

An information leaflet has been produced with tips on how to reduce the problem. This will be distributed to residents in London Colney in the New Year.

The council does offer a free rat treatment service to all residents. Contact the council on 01727 819440 to report sightings of rats and request a treatment.

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