Nearly five rat call outs per day in south Bucks (From Bucks Free Press)

From rats and mice to squirrels and bedbugs - pest control teams in Wycombe and South Bucks districts called out to 6,221 cases over two years

2:30pm Monday 6th February 2012 in Wycombe district By James Nadal

PEST control teams from two south Bucks councils dealt with 3,450 call outs about rats in two years, nearly five per day, figures show.

Vermin extermination officials attended 6,221 cases of pests in total, with creatures ranging from bedbugs to squirrels.

Wycombe District Council had 2,563 rat complaints between April 2009 and March 31 2011.

South Bucks District Council had 887 rat call outs in the same period.

There were more rat requests in Wycombe in 2009/10 than the following year – 1,510 as opposed to 1,053, though April and May 2010 were missing from these statistics.

The two councils tackled 1,942 wasp problems and 521 involving mice over the two years.

Dormice, fleas, cockroaches and ants were among the other creatures pest controllers were asked to get rid of.

Asked whether the problem with vermin, in particular mice and rats, has improved in the past decade, WDC spokesman Sue Robinson said: “It's difficult in the case of mice to look at trends because, the introduction of a charge for this service, this may have affected the number of requests we receive coming in via the council.

“With regard to rats, which are of greater public health significance, treatment through the council is still free and so these trends are probably more representative.

“We've seen a decline in the number of requests for treatments over the past few years which is good news.”

WDC decided to contract out pest control service two years ago, which it said had reduced costs while maintaining the level of service.

Mrs Robinson said: “We believe the free treatments of rats in domestic premises we offer is something other councils may be cutting nationally, but we hope to maintain this service in this district.”

There are fees from £45 upwards to get rid of other vermin, such as ants, flees and mice.

Mrs Robinson added: “The most important advice we give to householders is that if you're feeding wild birds, don't put out excess food which could attract pests, use feeders that collect any overspill and clear away unused feed.”

Have you got problems with rats, mice or other pests where you live? Let us know your experiences – e-mail bfpnews@london.newsquest.co.uk.

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