Householders who put food out for wild birds could also be attracting rats, according to a new pest survey completed in the Cheshi...
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Pest control officers in the Cheshire region have found that of almost 500 reports of rat problems, more than one in four was linked to residents feeding wild birds.
Now well-meaning residents keen to encourage feathered friends into their gardens are being urged to take steps to minimise the problem by making sure they do not put out excess food and by avoiding spillage from bird feeders.
The survey, conducted across Cheshire and affiliated with Shropshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire, has revealed wild bird feeding to be the biggest cause of rats in gardens.
Over a six month period, 6,474 new calls were reported requesting treatment for rats. The survey revealed that 1,788 of the calls received to deal with rats were linked by pest control officers to the activity of putting out food to feed wild birds. That's 28 per cent of all the calls received.
Like most people, pest control companies are in favour of ensuring wild bird species thrived, but there is a need to work with the public and relevant organisations to encourage people to feed birds responsibly.
It is widely agreed that there is a lack of commonly available advice and information on bird feeders designed to prevent waste spillage – and how to avoid attracting vermin by putting out excessive amounts of bird feed – and that this is likely to be partly responsible. It has also been suggested that there has been a significant increase in the number of people feeding birds, made possible by the availability of tables and feeders from DIY stores and garden centres.
Worryingly, the survey also raised concern about the amount of resources local authorities were putting into combating rat infestations in gardens and the relationship to bird feeding.
A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said: "Feeding birds is a wonderful pastime enjoyed by millions of people in the UK. It provides vital food for birds at key times of the year, especially during the winter months when natural food is scarce. However, good hygiene is vital. Check and clean bird tables and feeders regularly, to avoid the build up of food particles or droppings, as these can spread disease amongst the birds being fed. It is also important to avoid putting out too much food, as excess amounts will attract unwanted visitors including rats."
Article provided by Dynamic Pest Control