Figures show council pest control callouts are up

Ted Peskett Local Democracy Reporter

Pest control callouts and rat sightings have gone up, according to figures.

The statistics show that pest control callouts to Cardiff Council’s own buildings went up by more than 100 from January 2022 to December 2023.

However, private bookings made to the council’s pest control service for the same period decreased.

Private pest control companies also operate in the city, with two operating in Cardiff and other parts of south Wales saying they have seen a rise in callouts.

Rise

Cardiff Council has advised members of the public to remove potential nesting sites and urged them to properly dispose of food waste.

A council spokesperson said: “Rats are adaptable, highly mobile and breed rapidly. This combination makes it a difficult task to eradicate rats without suitable training.”

Cardiff Council data shows there were 289 rat sightings recorded by its service in 2022. For 2023, this rose to 306.

The number of private bookings made to the council went from 1,414 in 2022 to 1,381 in 2023.

For the same period, pest control callouts to council buildings went from 928 to 1,078.

There were 146 private pest control bookings made to the council in January 2024 – the highest number since January 2022, when there were 147.

Anthony Davies of pest control service, Artemis, said callouts for all pests have “definitely gone up”.

“There is no doubt about that,” he added.

Mr Davies, whose company operates in South Wales, said it is not just Cardiff that is experiencing an increase in callouts and that other companies across the UK are experiencing the same thing.

He added: “We get called out for all sorts, but the main [pests] that we get are usually rodents”.

Arrow Pest Services, which operates in Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan, said its calls have also risen.

Advice

The council’s advice to residents is:

• Ensure your property is free from holes, and any vents are not damaged or missing and that your drainage system is in good working order
• Remove potential nesting sites by keeping yards and gardens clean and tidy, and by cutting back overgrown areas
• Be aware that by feeding wild birds or other animals, you may be feeding rats as well
• Do not leave household waste where rats can access a food source

The council spokesperson added: “It’s also really important that all food waste is put into your food waste caddy, and it should not be put in any other bag or container for collection, as this will always attract vermin.

“Rinsing out any recyclable materials before they are put into recycling bags should help stop green recycling bags being ripped open by birds, animals or vermin scavenging for food and creating litter on our streets.

“Cardiff Council does treat sewers in areas where there has been an increase in rodent sightings and we do have a paid-for service which helps eradicate rats from residents’ homes.”