East Midlands Councils PUBLIC HEALTH Pest Control starts at home Richard Bevan Bristol City Council Pest Control Services Manager
Local Authorities Financial restraints reduced budgets Present issues staffing - range of treatments Future options outsourcing reduction in size of teams reduced service provisions no frills. 2
Pests in/around Home Rats, Mice, Squirrels, Foxes Bed Bugs, Cockroaches, Fleas Flies, Wasps, Bees, Ants, Moths, Biscuit Beetles, Saw-Toothed Grain Beetles, Larder Beetles, Lesser Mealworm Beetles, Plaster Beetles etc Mosquitoes, Gnats, Midges, Mites, Woodlice, Centipedes, Slugs, Spiders etc 3
Pests Require Food mostly from what we eat spillages, food waste, pet food, bird food Water from puddles, ponds, water features, moisture & leaking pipes Shelter/Harbourage for protection, resting & breeding Found in our homes, gardens, under decking, sheds, garages 4
Poor construction Gap under door Maximum 5mm 5
Poor construction Plastic air vent Rat damage Rat access to suspended floor area or wall cavity Why bother (cheap) 6
Poor management Rats easy access Requires wire mesh cover, zinc or stainless steel fixing with screws 7
Poor management Food caddy with lid not properly closed. Flies enter In summer creates large number of larvae/maggots 8
Poor management Waste bins overflowing attraction for rats, foxes, pigeons, gulls, dogs, cats, & flies. Are there sufficient bins, are they recycling properly? 9
Poor management No lid Should request replacement bin? Again recycling questionable? 10
Poor maintenance Lack of concern Laziness Harbourage Poor visual impact for area 11
Poor maintenance No soil vent pipe cages Rats easy access to roof space Terraced houses 12
Poor maintenance Laziness throwing garden waste over fence Allows rat harbourage potential breeding area 13
Poor maintenance Basement WC evaporated water trap. Allowing rat egress into basement, then who knows where? 14
Poor maintenance Believe it or not this WC was still being used Not only poor maintenance but poor everything 15
Bad luck Plastic food caddy. Rat hole started on elevated edges. 16
Bad Luck Plastic pipe elbow under suspended floor Rat damage 17
Bad Luck Walking stick kept under stair cupboard 18
Bad Luck Plastic soil vent pipe cage Determination & attitude of rats This was 5.5m / 18ft above ground level 19
Very Bad luck Sometimes circumstances are completely beyond your control 20
Rat damage Sealed DIY mouse bait box Rat could not wait to search for food source 21
Ultra sonic devices Not effective Do not work Waste of money 22
Western Pest Liaison Group Surveys to establish causes of rat infestations in domestic gardens Carried out in 2004, 2007 & 2010 PCO/Technicians, on first visit determined reason for infestation 23
WPLG Survey for Primary Causes of Rat Infestations 2007 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 6474 rat complaints 800 600 400 200 0 Bird feeding/feeder Compost bin/heap Defective drain/sewer Other Keeping of domestic animals/birds Shed/garages Poor building maintenance Near agricultural/horticultural land Rubbish in garden (harbourage) Waste ground Decking (harbourage) River bank Pond Broken air vents Keeping of commercial animals Cellars/vaults Railway land Derelict building/structure Commercial food waste Dog faeces Construction sites Commercial storage WPLG Survey for Primary Causes of Rat Infestations 2010 5479 rat complaints 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Bird feeding/feeder Compost bin/heap Defective drain/sewer 24 Keeping of domestic animals/birds Other Poor building maintenance Shed/garages Decking (harbourage) Rubbish in garden (harbourage) Near agricultural/horticultural land Broken air vents Cellars/vaults Derelict building/structure Waste ground River bank Pond Railway land Keeping of commercial animals Dog faeces Commercial storage Commercial food waste Construction sites
Western Pest Liaison Group 25
Summary Public need to: be more more aware of pest issues take more responsibility with their properties listen and act upon advice do more for themselves may have to pay for PC services may have to accept reduced PC services 26
Trident Iceni - Bio Diesel Sports Car - 6.6 ltr turbo 0-60 in 4sec - 180mph & 65mpg 27