Ramped up pest control efforts are to start today in a bid to rid streets in Plean of a rat infestation which has seen residents plagued by rodents.
In Wednesday’s Observer, we told how a horrified mum-of-six discovered nine rats scratching around in her wheelie bin after they spilled on to streets when the nest was disturbed by workers clearing a massive fly-tipping site.
Shocking video footage shows the rats piled into a grey general waste bin and leaping in the air, desperately trying to make an escape.
Debbie Burns said that since the clean up of the fly-tip dump behind homes in Wallace Crescent – which saw 155 tonnes of rubbish removed from a M9 embankment at a cost of £50,000 – have been overwhelmed.
The work to clear up the fly-tipped mess was carried out by BEAR Scotland, who will begin a six-week long treatment programme, starting today.
A BEAR Spokesperson said: “Our specialist pest control subcontractor will start a comprehensive six-week treatment programme.
“The site will then be monitored on a weekly basis for six weeks.
“If further inspections or treatments are required at the end of the six-week programme then these will be arranged and undertaken.”
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Debbie previously told the Observer: “I have six kids in this house and can’t let them out in their own garden to play due to the whole street being plagued by rats since BEAR Scotland cleared the embankment behind the houses and disturbed the nests.”
Explaining the infestation, BEAR Scotland told the Observer earlier this week: “When we were originally made aware of issues with vermin in this area we investigated and a programme of pest control was undertaken. However, the main issue was identified as extensive fly-tipping on Scottish Minister’s Land to the rear of the properties in Wallace Crescent.
“As a result, in February we completed a clear-up operation that saw the removal of 155 tonnes of waste material. The job had originally been estimated to cost over £20,000 but ultimately exceeded £50,000 due to the amount of material that had built up.
“We kept the residents updated to the situation, giving them information on how to contact us.
“It is suspected that this waste was a key contributing factor to the original issue. We have recently been made aware that there is an ongoing situation with vermin and our specialist pest control contractors have been tasked to undertake a further programme to treat the area.”
Stirling Council’s environmental health team visited residents last week. A spokesperson said: “We realise this has been an alarming situation for residents and will be contacting council tenants directly to provide pest control treatment at no cost to them.
“In the meantime, we would encourage people to dispose of waste and recycling responsibly, using the facilities provided either at home or at recycling centres.
“The council regularly highlights fly-tipping as a crime that blights society, and this is one example of how negatively it can impact
communities.”
Following news that BEAR Scotland will begins it’s programme of further pest control measures, ward independent councillor Alasdair Macpherson welcomed the move. He has been fighting the corner of desperate resident seeking a solution to the vermin problem. He this week said: “I met with BEAR Scotland and (council) housing officials on Wednesday and am delighted they have agreed jointly to tackle this problem.
“Hopefully residents in Wallace Crescent can now enjoy their gardens again.
“I do however still have concerns that overflowing grey bins are partly to blame for this problem and intend to seek support in the council to try and get the two weekly collection reinstated.”
