Major rat epidemic warning as vermin numbers double

Thursday, 21 May 2009

By Will Stone

THE number of rats in Haringey has doubled in the last two years, causing experts to predict the breakout of a “major epidemic”.

According to latest figures obtained by the Advertiser, the number of call-outs by Haringey Council to rat infestations more than doubled from 321 in 2006/7 to 693 in the year 2007/8.

A survey by the National Pest Technicians’ Association has revealed that there has been a 15 per cent increase in rodent infestations nationwide, placing Haringey’s rat population increase at almost 40 per cent above the national average.

Much of the increase in treatments for rat infestations can be seen in the east of the borough, with 67 in Tottenham Hale in 2007/8, followed by 57 in Northumberland Park and 54 in Tottenham Green wards over the same period.

Peter Crowden, chairman of the NPTA, said: “This, along with other increases of rats across the country due to the milder climate, is a sign that there will be a major epidemic of some sort in the near future.

“Rats are known carriers of disease and not enough is being done to eradicate them.

“More fatty takeaway foods are being disposed of than ever before, attracting rats, and in built-up areas like Haringey you get more people living in a large block of flats than in a whole village – all contributing to waste that attracts rats.

“Hold on to your hat because it’s going to get worse.”

He added that there needs to be more education in waste disposal and is calling for an urgent meeting with local authorities and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to come to an effective solution.

A spokesman for Haringey Council argued that the increase could be as a result of more residents using its cheaper treatment service.

He said: “In 2007/8 concessionary treatments were introduced at £15 available to all residents in receipt of an income-related benefit.”

He said that in 2007/8 there were 144 concessionary treatments, which would indicate a greater take-up in the service.

“It is extremely important to ensure that all refuse is disposed of carefully,” he added. “This particularly applies to food, although a pile of discarded timber or an unwanted piece of furniture can provide shelter for a colony of rats.

“Infestations can be associated with defective sewers. Repairs to private sewers should take place in a timely fashion.

“The eradication of a rodent infestation is not difficult to achieve using rodenticides.”

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