MP's call for action over rat infestation (From Daily Echo)
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Steve Brine calls for 'robust response' to rat infestation
1:00pm Tuesday 30th October 2012 in News
By Bethan Phillips, Reporter
Evelyn Chakrabarti whose home has been damaged by rats.
IT is a story that will strike fear into the hearts of many householders.
When pensioner Evelyn Chakrabarti returned from a holiday this summer she found that some unwelcome guests had moved in.
Tunnelling from a nest in a drain near her home in Chandler’s Ford, rats had found their way into her loft space, causing more than £1,000 worth of damage.
But Mrs Chakrabarti, 73, is by no means the only resident affected in the area – and a Hampshire MP has now said the rat problem is in danger of becoming out of control.
Breeding ground The Daily Echo can reveal that in previous years the sewers, a breeding ground for the pest, were routinely baited by Eastleigh Borough Council to keep the rat population under control.
However, Southern Water withdrew the contract for the service two years ago. Instead the company responds to problems as they arise.
Winchester and Chandler’s Ford MP Steve Brine says he is hearing about rat problems in Chandler’s Ford more and more frequently and urgent action is now needed to tackle the issue. He added: “There is clearly an issue with the sewers and we need a robust response before any more of my constituents are subjected to the ordeal currently facing Mrs Chakrabarti.
“I know local councillors are doing their best but what we need now is for the borough to coordinate a multi-agency response and get everyone, environmental health, Southern Water and the main private sector players, round a table to agree a way ahead.
“One way or another, we need to turn this around so the community, not the rodents, are back in control.”
A spokesman for Eastleigh Borough Council said that they were contracted to provide a proactive sewer baiting service until two to three years ago.
He added: “Now, if the council suspects there is an issue with rats in the public sewer system we contact Southern Water to let them know our concerns.
“They will then take responsibility for investigating the issue and take an appropriate course of action within the sewer system.”
But Southern Water has denied that the rat problem has originated in the sewers in the Chandler’s Ford area.
A spokeswoman said: “We are aware of the issues in this area and, although we sympathise with those who are affected, our recent investigations have not shown any problems with our sewers that could attract rats.”
Comments(21)
alan.of.eastleigh
says...
1:54pm Tue 30 Oct 12
sotonbusdriver
says...
2:09pm Tue 30 Oct 12
Snakes are an important part of the eco-system in any country, but bad publicity has seen no protection of snakes, and their demise. Which has left rats and other vermin free reign to thrive and multiply.
Richard 51
says...
2:50pm Tue 30 Oct 12
sotonbusdriver wrote:That don't adder up
There is an easy answer, release a few harmless snakes in the area.. This will control the rat infestation over night...
Snakes are an important part of the eco-system in any country, but bad publicity has seen no protection of snakes, and their demise. Which has left rats and other vermin free reign to thrive and multiply.
Niel
says...
3:00pm Tue 30 Oct 12
alan.of.eastleigh wrote:Weekly food waste (non-recyclable) bin emptying.
Well I live in Eastleigh and I get my bins emptied weekly. Black bin one week. Green bin next. Food / Kitched waste gets collected every week. Garden waste gets collected every week. Bottles about once a month. Can't ask for much more than that really.
alan.of.eastleigh
says...
3:13pm Tue 30 Oct 12
Niel wrote:Yes. Gets collected EVERY week (brown bin)
alan.of.eastleigh wrote: Well I live in Eastleigh and I get my bins emptied weekly. Black bin one week. Green bin next. Food / Kitched waste gets collected every week. Garden waste gets collected every week. Bottles about once a month. Can't ask for much more than that really.Weekly food waste (non-recyclable) bin emptying.
ottred
says...
3:44pm Tue 30 Oct 12
rudolph_hucker
says...
4:11pm Tue 30 Oct 12
ottred wrote:or get a cat, job done
Its not difficult is it. Buy some traps, they work.
ameliaS
says...
4:42pm Tue 30 Oct 12
Hdg end mo
says...
4:53pm Tue 30 Oct 12
Rat on a rat
ottred
says...
4:59pm Tue 30 Oct 12
Pure Homefront
says...
7:02pm Tue 30 Oct 12
ameliaS wrote:wow ,these rats are so clean ....
Some silly comments, presumably from people who don't live in Chandler's Ford. If you lived here you'd realise the scale of the problem. They may not be disease carrying, but these rats are causing considerable damage to property. Thank goodness we have in Steve Brine an MP who is willing to speak up for local residents who are getting nowhere with the various authorities which could act to deal with this problem but choose not to.
Pure Homefront
says...
7:15pm Tue 30 Oct 12
alan.of.eastleigh
says...
8:15pm Tue 30 Oct 12
Pure Homefront wrote:Actually only about one in five carry weils disease. And it is very difficult to become infected unless you are in the habit of drinking untreated water or licking your fingers after handling a rat. The skin is a great barrier.
don't you just love how the ill informed just have to comment on any story ... Chandlers Ford rats do not carry diseases . All rats do my dear , weil's disease has got to be one of the worst there are numerous others that they carry which us humans can contract .If you don't believe me then search " the brown rat " and see for yourself .
mansak_hunt
says...
8:38pm Tue 30 Oct 12
ameliaS
says...
9:30pm Tue 30 Oct 12
Pure Homefront wrote:Please read my post, my dear - I wrote MAY NOT not DO NOT.
don't you just love how the ill informed just have to comment on any story ... Chandlers Ford rats do not carry diseases . All rats do my dear , weil's disease has got to be one of the worst there are numerous others that they carry which us humans can contract .If you don't believe me then search " the brown rat " and see for yourself .
alysonashton
says...
9:24am Wed 31 Oct 12
alan.of.eastleigh
says...
9:51am Wed 31 Oct 12
alysonashton wrote:Try stop putting bait down for a couple of weeks (if they are bait resistent you are just feeding them). Worked for me - they just disappeared. They only go where there is a food supply.
I live in Chandlers Ford and am having a problem with Rats. I have been baiting them for the past four weeks. But although I havent heard them scratching around anymore, they are still taking the bait! I have two cats so am now unable to let them out! It needs everybody either to bait Rats if you have them or call in The pest control people otherwise they will never go !!!!!
Pure Homefront
says...
1:16pm Wed 31 Oct 12
alan.of.eastleigh wrote:you don't have to handle a rat to pick up an infection from it . I read that an Olympic medal winner had died from weils disease recently , yes the skin is a good defense , it can enter the body from cuts and grazes . You can also pick it up from ingestion , such as when swimming . Traps are the best form for pest control , I had a family that visited my aviary carrying off Quails ,Budgies and the odd Cockatiel. I used glue traps and the usual type of trap ,oh and shot a couple too .
Pure Homefront wrote:Actually only about one in five carry weils disease. And it is very difficult to become infected unless you are in the habit of drinking untreated water or licking your fingers after handling a rat. The skin is a great barrier.
don't you just love how the ill informed just have to comment on any story ... Chandlers Ford rats do not carry diseases . All rats do my dear , weil's disease has got to be one of the worst there are numerous others that they carry which us humans can contract .If you don't believe me then search " the brown rat " and see for yourself .
Pure Homefront
says...
1:18pm Wed 31 Oct 12
alan.of.eastleigh wrote:you don't have to handle a rat to pick up an infection from it . I read that an Olympic medal winner had died from weils disease recently , yes the skin is a good defense , it can enter the body from cuts and grazes . You can also pick it up from ingestion , such as when swimming . Traps are the best form for pest control , I had a family that visited my aviary carrying off Quails ,Budgies and the odd Cockatiel. I used glue traps and the usual type of trap ,oh and shot a couple too .
Pure Homefront wrote:Actually only about one in five carry weils disease. And it is very difficult to become infected unless you are in the habit of drinking untreated water or licking your fingers after handling a rat. The skin is a great barrier.
don't you just love how the ill informed just have to comment on any story ... Chandlers Ford rats do not carry diseases . All rats do my dear , weil's disease has got to be one of the worst there are numerous others that they carry which us humans can contract .If you don't believe me then search " the brown rat " and see for yourself .
alan.of.eastleigh
says...
2:09pm Wed 31 Oct 12
http://www.telegraph
.co.uk/health/health
news/8087810/What-is
-Weils-Disease.html
Good warning for those of us that like to neck bottles too (reference the rugby player in the article)!
Niel says...
1:14pm Tue 30 Oct 12