Bootle is Rodent Capital of Sefton

A special investigation has revealed that Bootle is the worst hit area in Sefton for rodent complaints.

Council pest control services were sought 3,851 times over a two year period, accounting for almost half of the borough's requests. Worst hit was Derby ward, which was home to 996 complaints during the two years considered - from March 23, 2009 and March 23, 2011.

A further 554 requests came from Ford while Linacre was responsible for 866 and Netherton and Orrell for 738. The Bootle area was also the scene of the most rodent-plagued roads.

Worst in the whole of Sefton was Hawthorne Road, with 66 requests, and Fernhill Road with 64. In Sefton overall, 8,089 requests were made to the council.

There was a slight drop in the figures, obtained by a Freedom of Information request, from 4,116 to 3,973 over the two years, with rats accounting for the majority of reports - a total of 4,662.

Paul McGarvey, who works for pest control company Pestforce, believes rodents are a common problem in all areas. He said: "It's pretty widespread really, from agricultural buildings to anywhere where there is people about. Generally they are attracted to animal faeces but obviously they need harbourage - somewhere safe and dry and where there is food."

Rats and mice do not tend to live together, but both pose significant health risks with the biggest threat coming from rats, who can spread Weil's disease. Potentially lethal, the disease can be caught by bacteria entering the body through cuts and scrapes, though it is usually treatable by antibiotics.

McGarvey believes rodent problems are rising. He said: "They are definitely on the increase. We make more waste than we ever have and I probably get called to more homes now. People need to take them seriously as they are a health hazard."

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: "Rats and mice pose a number of health hazards and we are fully committed to tackling the problem. We provide a free service for dealing with rats and mice in domestic properties. Fully trained pest control officers will survey the infestation and then place poison bait in the most appropriate locations."

Article provided by Pest Force