 Nationally, the survey shows a 3% increase in rat treatments |
Cornwall's rat population would appear to be falling, but the rodent is still a growing menace in the summer time. The annual survey of local councils by the National Pest Technicians Association shows that, in 2002, there was an overall 5% reduction in calls to deal with rats.
But, during the summer months of the year, there was an increase of 5% for that time of year.
However, the head of Caradon District Council's environmental health section, Martin Gregory, said its rat treatments dropped from 225 in 2001 to 137 in 2002.
Mice decrease
The calculations are based on the calls made to district councils to exterminate the rats.
Nationally, the survey shows a 3% increase in rat treatments between 2001 and 2002, with a summer increase of 4%.
Martin Gregory of Caradon District Council said wild bird seed was one of many reasons why rodents turn up on housing estates.
He said: "If you feed the birds by scattering food for them, rats will see that food and come and feed.
"Even high-mounted bird feeders will spill some food and that will attract the rats, too."
On a countywide basis, there is also good news for Cornwall on the mice front. Reports of them are down by 22%.
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