Credit crunch ‘could lead to rat problem’

EXPERTS fear the credit crunch could lead to an explosion in the region’s rat population. Pest controllers say fortnightly rubbish collections and several mild winters have caused rat numbers to rise steadily in recent years.

And they say the problem is only going to get worse if, as feared, recession-hit councils abandon free pest control.

Experts said many householders would then simply ignore the problem – rather that pay for infestations to be dealt with.

Andrew Chandler, from Darlington-based ATC Pest Control, said many people do nothing when they spot a rat.

“Because of the credit crunch, who can afford to get a pest control company out if the council stops doing it for free?” he said.

Mr Chandler said that when someone eventually called for help, the population of rats in the area had often grown dramatically.

He said a policy by some councils, such as Darlington, of not using wheelie bins just made the problem worse.

Gerard Whelpdale, from All Clear Pest Control, in Ushaw Moor, Durham City, confirmed rat numbers where on the rise.

“Nine times out of ten it will be people feeding birds, or overflowing bins,” he said.

Mr Whelpdale said he was called to a recent infestation in Crook, County Durham, where rats had eaten through the back of a fridge to get to the food inside.

The National Pest Technician’s Association is due to release its annual rat population figures early in the new year.

The figures are expected to show about a 20 per cent rise on the previous year.

Peter Crowden, spokesman for the association, said: “Business is very quiet at the moment – there isn’t the money out there for people to afford pest control.

“We’re now looking at a high population of rats and it’s only going to get worse.”