More must be done to tackle rat problem, says CIEH

Subject: CIEH

A single government department must take active responsibility for supervising and monitoring pest control, a leading environmental health organisation has said today.

The comments made by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) come in the light of the annual National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA) survey of demands placed on local authority pest control services.

Speaking on behalf of the CIEH Chief Executive Graham Jukes said:

“A single government department must have the ultimate responsibility for supervising monitoring programmes and implementing pest management measures.

“In the UK control of our most significant pests is loosening when it should be tightening.

“Far from being relics of the past, incidence of pest-borne disease is a public health issue and the risk will grow in the absence of action.”

The CIEH:

• Calls on the government to carefully assess the potential threats posed by pest related illnesses as modern living conditions, urban sprawl and climate change make the spread of pests more likely
• Is concerned that charging for pest control by local authorities or out sourcing the service could compromise effective and comprehensive pest management and control
• Fears increases in DIY treatments by untrained members of the public could cause pollution and result in higher levels of resistance in the pest population
• Is concerned that insufficient attention is given during the design and construction/refurbishment of buildings to simple rodent/pest control measures. The CIEH has published guidance, Pest minimisation – Best practice for the construction industry available to download here.

The NPTA survey shows a 15 percent increase in demand on local authority pest control services for treatment of rat infestations and a 6 percent increase in mouse infestations.