A COUNCIL in the North-East has dealt with more rat problems per head of population than almost any other in Britain, it has been revealed.

New figures show pest controllers at Sunderland City Council responded to 5,304 issues at a rate of more than 19 per 1,000 residents – the third-highest in the UK and an increase of more than eight per cent in 12 months.

Click graphic below to view larger version

The Northern Echo: Which council is the rat capital?

Problems with rats accounted for more than 80 per cent of issues reported to the authority’s environmental team - lifting it to sixth in a list ranking each council by the total number of pest related call-outs relative to population.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough Council was ranked second overall with almost 4,000 pest related issues, at a rate of more than 28 per 1,000 people.

And South Tyneside was fifth overall – after residents reported the most problems with ants (954) and the fifth most for ‘other insects’ including fleas and mites (852).

It was third in the list for mice, fourth for insects such as bees and fleas, seventh for ants and 10th for birds.

The data comes from the fifth study carried out by the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) analysing nationwide demand for pest control and was issued on World Pest Day.

Dee Ward-Thompson, BPCA technical manager, said: “Our study provides the most comprehensive indication of the demand placed on local authorities for pest control.

“There may be a number of localised factors why certain areas seem to have high numbers of particular pests.

“Some authorities, for example, will have many urban areas within their boundaries while others will be largely rural. Some will have lots of food establishments, which tend to attract pests, and others could have less frequent bin collections.

“But it’s important to recognise higher figures could simply illustrate that a local authority is working proactively to manage any issues.”

She added: “Local authorities have been under immense pressure to produce savings over the last five years and pest control seems to have been one of the services to have taken a big hit."

A Sunderland City Council spokesman said: “Sunderland City Council provides a chargeable control service for the treatment of rats and other pests.

“Many factors such as weather conditions from cold snaps or rain can influence the number of pest control incidents and reports.

“We continue to actively encourage people to contact us about pest control."

A South Tyneside Council spokesman said: “We have a highly experienced and knowledgeable team of pest control technicians offering advice and support to residents and businesses in dealing with a variety of pest problems and how to prevent them.

“The BCPA figures reflect the high demand for our service which is well recognised locally and is generally where our residents turn to for assistance in resolving any issues they have."

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: “The prevalence of rats and other pests in Middlesbrough is entirely in keeping with towns and cities of a similar size up and down the country.

“The figures collated by the BPCA reflect Middlesbrough’s pro-active approach to dealing with the issue, while keeping costs to a minimum.

“We also offer a competitive pest control service to all residents businesses in the area and will continue to ensure any problems are dealt with promptly and effectively.”