Politicians point to cuts
Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson has warned reduction in the number of council pest control officers could be responsible for an increase in rat numbers.
Currently, North Lanarkshire Council employs one full-time pest controller for the whole local authority, which is down from six in 2018.
In addition, the SNP MSP has pointed to a cessation of proactive baiting as a major contributor the increase in rat numbers.
The council stopped proactive baiting at problem sites such as burns, sewers and industrial estates because a minimum of two officers are required to do this work.
Ms Adamson said: “We have seen a lot of attention around the reduction in bin collections as the reason behind this troubling increase in rat sightings.
“This is a possible cause but my communications with the council suggests that a drastic reduction in the number of pest control officers, coupled with an end to proactive baiting, are significant factors that are not being given attention.
“It is highly distressing to find your home invaded by rats or mice and I urge the council to do all it can to tackle this problem.
“One pest control officer to cover the whole of North Lanarkshire is entirely inadequate.
“My office is still receiving complaints from residents in areas where action has already been requested.”
Newmains MP Neil Gray agreed with his SNP colleague.
He said: “Having one pest control officer is not enough for an area as large as North Lanarkshire.
“How is one person supposed to be in full knowledge of issues in Cumbernauld, Motherwell, Shotts, Airdrie, Bellshill, Wishaw and Coatbridge and deal with these problems effectively?
“Nor should private residents have to be out of pocket for a service that the council provides free of charge to its tenants.
“These problems all seem to stem from cuts made by NLC and yet again, members of the public are having to bear the brunt.
“The council insists our suggested reason for the rise in rats is not the cause, but they have completely failed to suggest why there has undoubtedly been a rise in the number of rats across the areas. That is not good enough.”
However, North Lanarkshire Council slammed these claims, stating that even though they have reduced the number of in-house pest control officers, they have adequate resources in place to deal with issues.
A council spokesperson said: “Although the council has reduced the number of pest control officers it employs directly, we have commissioned a private pest control firm to ensure that residents receive the same service within the same time period.
“To say that we only have one pest control officer to cover the entire council area is misleading.
“Where there is identified rodent activity within private land, the council has powers to identify the owner of the land and require them to take steps to have the area treated.”