CALLS have been made for Westbury residents to join forces to fight a rat infestation in the town.
The Ham, Bramble Drive and Haynes Road have been pinpointed as being hotspots for the rodents.
But Wiltshire Council has said they aren’t aware of a problem and have issued advice on how to deal with rats.
A resident posted on social media, “Is anyone else facing issues with rats along the Ham in Westbury? I have had Wiltshire council out to investigate and they have said they are currently investigating 15 reports in the Ham area of Westbury. They have put it down to the train lines, lakes and the construction site opposite ironworks.
“I have caught eight large rats in my garden using humane traps and once caught I have been handing them to the pest control to deal with. My neighbour said they have gotten into her attic and destroyed loads of items they have held onto over the years.
“I think if we all get together and fight this issue we may be able to move the rats on somewhere else.
“I have lived here for 43 years and never once had issues with rats.”
A respondent commented, “They’re all over Westbury. I live in Bramble Drive and we also have issues. We’ve lived here for a year and a half and the neighbours have said they’ve had issues for years, and don’t seem bothered by them now which is really frustrating for us who want to solve the issue.”
Advice from fellow a resident included getting a cat while another resident urged people not to put poison down. “Please do not put poison down. It kills other wildlife, and also causes a slow and painful death for the rat.”
The RSPB has urged people not to use poisons which are toxic to other wildlife while the RSPCA has an online guide on detering rats and mice. It can be found at https://www. rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/livingwith
Sam Fox, Corporate Director for Place at Wiltshire Council, said: “Our Pest Control team have not received any recent complaints of rat problems affecting residents in the Ham, Bramble Drive or Haynes Road areas of Westbury. We have over the years carried out pest treatments in these areas, but none of these were impacting on more than one household.
“For rats to survive they need a supply of food, a source of water and some shelter to live in, without all of these the rats will move on. There are numerous food sources that can attract rats, such as excessive bird feeding, composting or not disposing of waste correctly. We would advise that all bird feeders are removed at night, compost bins are in enclosed containers and sited on patio slabs or wire mesh to stop rats accessing the contents, and all rubbish should be stored in wheelie bins with the lid closed.
“If residents are concerned about recent problems of rats in this part of Westbury then our team would be happy to investigate. We offer a pest treatment service and more details can be found on www.wiltshire.gov.uk/pest-control or by calling 0300 4560107.”
