Crossgar Concerns Over Rats

“However, to alleviate customer concerns, NI Water carried out CCTV investigations and manhole inspections within the estate. No evidence of rats within the sewer system was found. NI Water advised residents of this at the time. [caption id="attachment_25840" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="There have been complaints of rats around the Westlands estate in Crossgar from local residents. Investigations are ongoing."][/caption] “As a further precautionary measure, and to help further alleviate the concerns of local residents, NI Water is working in partnership with Down District Council to bait the sewers within the estate. “NI Water would advise residents to contact their local council Environmental Health/Pest Control Officers in the first instance if they sight rats within their area. The responsibility of pest control lies with the Council, not NI Water.” Down News chatted to a local resident who indicated that there had once been a problem with rats long before the sewage works had started. He said, “I know that a block of flats had an issue where one resident had rats in her roofspace. I even had a problem at one stage when the rats came into my garden shed where my dogs were through a very small hole and they literally would have jumped over the dogs inside the shed.” A Down District Council spokesperson updated  Down News on the situation regarding the rats saying, “NI Water have informed Down District Council that they have completed a CCTV survey of the main sewer which runs from 35 -29 Westlands, Crossgar. NIW have stated that there were no defects within the sewer nor was there any sign of rodent activity. [caption id="attachment_25901" align="alignright" width="266" caption="Local concerns about rat infestation in Crossgar's Westland's estate has not been confirmed by the authorities""][/caption] “The Council is not aware of any new complaints regarding rodent activity in Westlands being received by the Environmental Health Service. “Down District Council’s Environmental Health Officer has since spoken with the complainant and advised them of the current situation and recommended that if they still had a concern they should contact the pest control contractor which they had previously employed.” Feeding pets and birds may conribute to attracting rats and local residents would also need to keep all wheelie bins properly closed. And in the barbecue weather, do not leave food scraps lying around afterwards. Clean and store the barbecue away in a safe place away from any potential rat looking for a quick meal. It is said that the rat population in the UK equals that of humans and that a rat is never more than 30 feet away. Do not encourage them to feed near your home… do so at your peril ]]>