Council cut backs will result in pest problems in the UK soaring, according to the British Pest Control Association.
Figures released by the BPCA indicate that the number of local authorities providing free help has plummeted, while experience at the coal face also suggests local authority pest control is not keeping up with the ability of pests to develop resistance to treatments.
Over a two year period from 2010/2011 the number of pest control jobs carried out by local authorities collapsed by over 25 per cent. Most authorities no longer deal with rats free of charge and some refuse to deal with problem pests like bed bugs at all.
Simon Forrester, chief executive of the British Pest Control Association, believes pest numbers across the UK have increased significantly in that time and fears the problem is likely to get worse.
“Four years of austerity measures have left local authorities under immense pressure to come up with savings and a number of public services have been cut as a result,” says Mr Forrester.
“A growing number of authorities who once provided pest control free of charge have either introduced charges or done away with their service altogether in a bid to balance the books.
“That has already had a significant impact on the pest population because numbers are higher than ever and, if cuts continue, the problem is likely to get much worse.”
The not-for-profit BPCA says it’s a policy which has created big problems, particularly in low-income areas. Mr Forrester added: “If an infestation of any pest isn’t dealt with quickly and professionally, it’s likely to spread. The problem then becomes much more expensive and carries a greater risk to public health.”
