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Rats plague whole street in Hertfordshire
04/06/2010
A Hertfordshire street is suffering what residents are calling a plague of rats, and they say the local authorities are not doing enough to help them.
Rats have been seen inside eight houses in Robeson Way in Borehamwood within the last month, but the £55 extermination fee being charged by Hertsmere Borough Council is causing locals to despair.
One homeowner, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were extremely large and posed a huge human safety threat.
“I saw a rat crawling along the kitchen table and they actually set off the sensors on the burglar alarm in the kitchen. There were also rat droppings everywhere," she said.
“A neighbour of mine found a rat in her oven. I have kids and for the council to make us pay in these circumstances isn’t good. All the council uses is rat poison and this could be harmful to children. We pay a lot in tax so it should be a free service."
The council charges £55 for their exterminators to make up to three visits to a property. The people of Robeson Way have said it should be waived for extreme circumstances when it is clear that there are several properties involved.
A council spokeswoman said an environmental health officer had visited the street to offer advice for free to the residents. She said that the council is under no legal obligation, however, to provide pest control services.
Rat poison can be dangerous in domestic settings and the council would be advised to use safer alternatives such as electromagnetic deterrents.
