Doncaster’s Rat And Pest Problem Continues To Worsen
In 2018/19 there were an extra 349 call-outs for pest control support compared to 2014/15.
Data from Doncaster Council shows that the town’s rat problem is worsening.
In 2014/15, the council recorded call-outs for 181 ‘rats’, 267 ‘rats inside’ and 1,141 ‘rats outside’; a total of 1,589 rat-related pest issues.
In 2018/19, however, this rose to 424 ‘rats’, 263 ‘rats inside’ and 1,085 ‘rats outside’; a total of 1,772 rat-related pest issues.
Rather than decreasing, the amount of reports about rats rose by nearly 200.
There was also a rise in total pest issues between 2014 and 2019. 2,269 pest control call-outs were made in the town in 2014/15, compared to 2,618 call outs in 18/19.
This is an extra 349 call-outs per year for all types of pests.
Reports detailed specific types of pests, and as such showed that in 2014/15, 9 ant-related call-outs, 64 flea-related call outs, 125 mice-related call-outs occured. However in 2018/19, 53 ant-related call-outs, 132 flea-related call-outs and 175 mice-related call-outs occurred.
Wasp call-outs did reduce over the same time frame, from 533 in 2014/15 to 315 in 2018/19.
Full data was not yet available for 2019/2020 upon writing.
Cllr Joe Blackham, Cabinet Member for Trading Services at Doncaster Council, said: “It is not uncommon for trends like this to occur with pests. Simply put, cold weather kills the weaker individual rodents and small groups of rodents. Due to significantly milder winters over the last few years, these rodents haven’t died and the numbers continue to grow. The same is true of insects; especially ants and wasps.
“As a council, we have actively encouraged FREE treatments for rats which has seen an increase in customers coming our way. Our pest control operatives identify and treat a wide variety of pests.
“Residents can book an appointment online or with a phone call to 01302 736000.”