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Mice do think twice about coming here
RATS and mice are not taking over Bedford Borough as much as you may think, according to a new survey.
According to a survey by the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), Bedford Borough Council ranks 112 out of 314 authorities for the amount of pest control call outs.
And the survey also found that 580 rat treatments took place between 2011 and 2012 across the borough and there were three rat call outs per kilometre squared in the area.
This amounts to 3.73 rat call outs for every 1,000 people living in Bedford Borough.
However the authority also reportedly saw a 100 per cent increase in pest control staff.
For mice call outs were also low with 108 mice treatments taking place in the same time scale. Per 1,000 people there were 0.69 mice call outs and 0.59 mice call outs per kilometre squared.
The results are a stark contrast to some authorities. The London Borough of Tower Hamlets fared the worst in the survey with 80 pest infestations for every 1,000 people.
Simon Forrester, chief executive at the BPCA, said: “This is the most comprehensive study of the demand placed on local authorities for pest control ever carried out and it covers a period when the austerity measures were starting to bite.
“There may be a number of local factors why a council appears towards the top of one of the lists, but on a national scale the BPCA is concerned that pest control budgets are being hit.”
A spokesman for Bedford Borough Council, said: “When issues with rats and other pests or vermin are raised the council takes swift action to deal with the problem and will ensure that appropriate treatments are carried out in order to protect public health. All service requests are dealt with on a case by case basis and consideration is given to the severity of the problem and the likelihood of the issue causing distress or injury to others.
“Residents can help to reduce the risk of pests and vermin by taking simple steps such as placing all rubbish into a bin, not leaving food waste outside and ensuring grass is cut regularly and other outside areas are not allowed to become overgrown.”
He added: “If anyone wishes to contact the Bedford Borough Council Pest Control Service they can call 01234 718099.”
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Weather for Bedford
Thursday 20 June 2013
Today
Thunderstorm
Temperature: 13 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Light showers
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