Will 2014 be the year of the rat if Cambridge City Council axes its pest control team?

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Friday 3 Jan 2014 9:34 AM

Written byCHRIS HAVERGAL

Infestations will spread unchecked if Cambridge City Council goes ahead with plans to axe its pest control team, unions fear.

The two-strong team, which has almost 60 years combined experience eradicating rats, mice, cockroaches and bedbugs, is set to be closed down to save 54,000 annually.

Many of the teams services are provided for free and Unison fears the cost of getting in a private company will deter landlords and residents from tackling the problem allowing it to get worse.

There are also concerns that residents will switch to DIY treatments, potentially putting themselves in danger or increasing pests resistance to poisons.

The council is obliged by law to prevent infestations, so will continue to serve notices on businesses and households that harbour pests, but it would no longer provide an eradication service.

The authoritys team also currently operates on council land including play areas, parks and allotments, meaning taxpayers would have to pay private firms to keep down rodents at these sites.

Liz Brennan, the Unison branch secretary, called on the council to drop the plans.

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Will 2014 be the year of the rat if Cambridge City Council axes its pest control team?