Council responds over call to tackle rat infestation

South Norfolk Council is stepping up its efforts to tackle hundreds of rats living in a flourishing colony at the A143 Roundabout in Ditchingham.

Despite months of baiting by pest control officers, nearby residents – which include families and pensioners – have reported that rats are now ranging far from the roundabout and are getting into their homes.

Now the council has been asked by Ditchingham Parish Council, representing local people, and by Norfolk County Council, the highway authority, to do more to deal with the rat infestation.

Chris Tubby, the council’s environmental protection manager said;

“My officers have been trying to tackle the rats for months by baiting, but the colony is flourishing because it has an ample alternative source of untreated food. This is the reason why our efforts have so far failed to have any real impact on the numbers.

“We are now asking anyone who leaves food at that roundabout to please stop, for the sake of those people living nearby, who are now directly affected by the rats, and at the request of the parish council which represents the village community.

“This will give us the chance we need to tackle the rat infestation. If the rats keep getting the food, the colony will grow out of control, and those who live nearby will face an increased risk of contracting disease and illness as a consequence.

“We hope everyone will understand, and put nearby residents first by helping us tackle this rat colony.”

The council, with support from the county council and from the parish council, has placed notices at the roundabout appealing for people not to leave the food, which is feeding the rats, and to be aware that rats carry disease.

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