When it comes to things that make your skin crawl, discovering a rat in your house or back garden probably tops the list.
And, despite many councils making huge efforts to reduce the problem, many residents of Greater Manchester are still plagued by the pesky vermin in and around their homes.
Rat problems hit some areas worse than others - which is why the Local Democracy Reporting Service has created the ‘Greater Manchester Rat League for 2022’.
After submitting Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to each borough council, data has revealed the worst areas in the region for rat problems last year.
Authorities record the data in different ways so the statistics have been broken down by ward, postcode and area - with some clarifying if the reports came from inside or outside the house (external or internal callouts). It is important to note that some areas are bigger and also have more densely populated communities, which may affect the figures.
The data shows that there were more reports from inside the home than outside. Wigan had the most callouts, but claim that this was because their 'three visit' approach tripled their figures.
- Wigan - 3,605
- Manchester - 2,407
- Salford - 1,000
- Stockport - 832
- Rochdale - 771
- Bury - 640
- Bolton - 600
- Oldham - 431
- Trafford - 363
- Tameside - 286
For each borough there is a breakdown of data per ward/area as well as each individual council’s response to the numbers revealed by the FOI. Not every council responded.
Bolton - 600 callouts in total
The region is mid-table for rat reports, with the BL1 postcode looking like the worst area in the borough for reporting vermin. The council say they have a rapid approach to dealing with reports from residents.
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “To deal with external issues, we sewer bait the areas with historic rodent problems annually. This is predominantly carried out during the autumn/winter seasons, when there is less demand for the service due to summer pests such as wasps and ants diminishing.
“However, when we receive any multiple calls about a particular area or road, this is treated regardless of the time of year and diary space. For rats in residential properties we offer a paid-for pest control service.”
Breakdown of data by postcode:
BL1
Internal callouts: 90
External callouts: 27
Total reports: 234
BL2
Internal callouts: 74
External callouts: 29
Total reports: 158
BL3
Internal callouts: 152
External callouts: 31
Total reports: 355
BL4
Internal callouts: 52
External callouts: 20
Total reports: 135
BL5
Internal callouts: 27
External callouts: 22
Total reports: 98
BL6
Internal callouts: 32
External callouts: 24
Total reports: 106
BL7
Internal callouts: 4
External callouts: 9
Total reports: 30
M26
Internal callouts: 0
External callouts: 1
Total reports: 3
M46
Internal callouts: 3
External callouts: 2
Total reports: 5
Unrecorded location
Internal callouts: 1
External callouts: 0
Total reports: 5
Bury - 640 callouts in total
Bury council did not offer a comment on the data provided by the FOI request.
Breakdown of data by area
Bury
Internal callouts: 176
External callouts: 108
Whitefield
Internal callouts: 49
External callouts: 40
Prestwich
Internal callouts: 48
External callouts: 41
Radcliffe
Internal callouts: 70
External callouts: 36
Ramsbottom
Internal callouts: 26
External callouts: 15
Tottington
Internal callouts: 17
External callouts: 14
Manchester - 2,407 callouts in total
The densely populated city is high on the list. The council has said they are committed to reducing the problem of vermin and described its methods..
A spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: "Dealing with rats and other vermin is a universal issue that local authorities across the country are forced to confront. In a large city such as Manchester there are areas which vermin will be drawn to due to Victorian infrastructure, densely populated areas, and accumulations of refuse created through the city's diverse economy.
"As a Council there are several steps taken to control the vermin population. We will undertake sewer baiting on behalf of United Utilities, work with housing associations and registered providers to ensure housing stock they administer has pest management protocols in place for residents, also, the Council will work to educate people on how small steps taken in and around the home can reduce the risk of attracting rats or other vermin.
“The Council also works proactively to ensure that businesses work properly to manage their waste before vermin infestations become an issue. Finally, the Council itself offers in-house treatment plans which are affordable, allowing residents to have vermin issues remedied as quickly as possible.
"As always we would encourage residents who have experienced pest control issues to contact us as soon as possible, or to contact us if they think a business is not managing their waste correctly. Vermin will unfortunately always be a factor of urban living, however the Council is committed to minimising any impact they have where possible."
Breakdown of data by ward:
Ancoats and Beswick
Internal callouts: 16
External callouts: 50
Ardwick
Internal callouts: 61
External callouts: 58
Baguley
Internal callouts: 13
External callouts: 7
Brooklands
Internal callouts: 6
External callouts:18
Burnage
Internal callouts: 54
External callouts: 21
Charlestown
Internal callouts: 106
External callouts: 92
Cheetham
Internal callouts: 47
External callouts: 34
Chorlton
Internal callouts: 20
External callouts: 17
Chorlton Park
Internal callouts: 47
External callouts: 11
Clayton and Openshaw
Internal callouts: 69
External callouts: 84
Crumpsall
Internal callouts: 31
External callouts: 20
Deansgate
Internal callouts: 1
External callouts: 0
Didsbury East
Internal callouts: 29
External callouts: 35
Didsbury West
Internal callouts: 18
External callouts: 13
Fallowfield:
Internal callouts: 48
External callouts: 39
Gorton and Abbey Hey
Internal callouts: 47
External callouts: 32
Harpurhey
Internal callouts: 102
External callouts: 64
Higher Blackley
Internal callouts: 95
External callouts: 99
Hulme
Internal callouts: 51
External callouts: 23
Levenshulme
Internal callouts: 54
External callouts: 8
Longsight
Internal callouts: 75
External callouts: 25
Miles Platting and Newton Heath
Internal callouts: 100
External callouts: 94
Moss Side
Internal callouts: 72
External callouts: 28
Moston
Internal callouts: 56
External callouts: 53
Northenden
Internal callouts: 21
External callouts: 13
Old Moat
Internal callouts: 37
External callouts: 10
Piccadilly
Internal callouts: 2
External callouts: 6
Rusholme
Internal callouts: 27
External callouts: 28
Sharston
Internal callouts: 5
External callouts: 8
Whalley Range
Internal callouts: 31
External callouts: 9
Withington
Internal callouts: 27
External callouts: 22
Oldham - 431 total callouts
Despite being on the lower end of this list, Oldham Council says the problem has worsened in the last few years. They offer a helpline to report these issues and have outlined what they do to support residents with vermin.
Councillor Hannah Roberts, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at Oldham Council, said: “Rats are a common problem across the region and nationally and the problem has worsened over the last few years. We know how important this issue is to residents, and, as part of our latest budget proposals, we are looking at what more we can do to help residents.
“In the meantime, if you have a pest/vermin problem, please contact our Pest Control Service on 0161 770 2244 as it is very difficult to get rid of rats without professional help. Our current treatment involves up to two visits in a four-week period, although an additional treatment may be required depending on the severity of the infestation.”
Breakdown of data by postcode:
OL1
Internal callouts: 16
External callouts: 7
OL2
Internal callouts: 68
External callouts: 11
OL3
Internal callouts: 14
External callouts: 4
OL4
Internal callouts: 80
External callouts: 6
OL8
Internal callouts: 79
External callouts: 15
OL9
Internal callouts: 72
External callouts: 11
M35
Internal callouts: 44
External callouts: 4
Rochdale - 771 total callouts
Rochdale’s council say they offer residents the cheapest vermin eradication service.
A spokesperson for Rochdale Borough Council said: “We offer a pest control treatment service and treatment for rats using professional bait and advise residents on proofing and measures to discourage rodent activity. We charge £28 to put bait down which is subsidised and is for up to three visits.
“We are still the cheapest service for treating rats out of all the local authorities in Greater Manchester. We visit, treat and advise businesses throughout the borough who have contracts with us.
“We also carry out baiting of sewers throughout the borough. The team also carry out proactive work to look at rodent activity in problem areas and provide advice and treatments on a wider scale, for example, on land or blocks of properties.
“The team also regularly delivers talks to advise community groups on pest control. We record all reports of rat sightings and requests for our pest control treatment service within the borough to the environmental health service and regularly monitor them.
“This information is used to inform activities, including where to target our sewer baiting treatments. We have recently undertaken research to understand where the rodent issues are and the uptake of the pest control service.
“We are also reviewing our pricing structure to make the service more accessible and affordable by looking to offer a reduced rate for residents on council tax support.”
Breakdown of data by ward:
Balderstone and Kirkholt: 39
Bamford: 23
Castleton: 44
Central Rochdale: 40
East Middleton: 41
Healey: 27
Hopwood Hall: 32
Kingsway: 61
Littleborough and Lakeside: 9
Milkstone and Deeplish: 67
Milnrow and Newhey: 25
Norden: 20
North Heywood: 43
North Middleton: 34
Smallbridge and Firgrove: 28
South Middleton: 30
Spotland and Falinge: 49
Wardle and West Littleborough: 13
West Heywood: 44
West Middleton: 59
Unspecified: 43
Salford - 1,000 callouts in total
Salford sits at the higher end of the table for rat reports, with Little Hulton at the top with 92 in 2022.
Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for environment, neighbourhoods and community safety said: “Rats are attracted to urban areas because they offer food and shelter and are found in every town and city because of this. We know people are concerned and we are tackling the problem in several different ways.
“We pro-actively bait areas including sewers and ask people to report sightings which gives us valuable intelligence to help continually shape that programme. We are also reviewing records from the past few years to see if there have been any changes in numbers or behaviour beyond the usual annual fluctuations due to the weather and local activities such as building work.
“We offer a full pest control service, including dealing with rats, at very competitive rates and with support for families in hardship. In addition, the council is working with partners such as housing providers and landowners to take practical action to reduce the numbers of rats in their area.
“And we offer simple but effective advice on deterring rats from seeking food or shelter near people’s homes, such as cleaning up below bird feeders, keeping bins secure and, of course, never dropping food or litter in the streets. There is more information on our website."
Breakdown of data by ward:
Weaste and Seedley: 89
Swinton Park: 41
Pendelton and Charlestown: 31
Barton and Winton: 33
Little Hulton: 92
Boothstown and Ellenbrook: 80
Eccles: 82
Pendlebury and Clifton: 62
Higher Irlam and Peel Green: 33
Swinton and Wardley: 56
Walkden South: 66
Broughton: 49
Worsley and Westwood Park: 74
Claremont: 39
Walkden North: 91
Kersal and Broughton Park: 31
Cadishead and Lower Irlam: 15
Blackfriars and Trinity: 6
Ordsall: 30
Stockport - 832 total callouts
Stockport Council did not provide a statement but did explain that there is a large amount of green space, with houses backing onto it, which contributing to the figures in the borough. The FOI data does not separate between indoor or outdoor visits on their systems but the council did estimate that the split is 70 per cent indoor and 30 per cent outdoor callouts overall.
Breakdown of data by ward:
Bredbury & Woodley: 24
Bredbury Green & Romiley: 61
Stepping Hill: 35
Offerton: 16
Hazel Grove: 34
Manor: 28
Edgeley/Cheadle Heath: 52
Davenport & Cale Green: 86
Brinnington & Central: 106
Marple South: 21
Marple North: 45
Reddish South: 39
Reddish North: 30
Heatons South: 48
Heatons North: 28
Cheadle Hulme South: 36
Heald Green: 26
Cheadle Hulme North: 28
Cheadle & Gatley: 36
Bramhall South & Woodford: 28
Bramhall North: 25
Tameside - 286 callouts in total
Tameside had the least rat problems, with Ashton getting the most reports and Mossley the least.
Breakdown of data by area:
Ashton
Internal callouts: 94
External callouts: 20
Audenshaw
Internal callouts: 22
External callouts: 6
Denton
Internal callouts: 15
External callouts: 5
Droylsden:
Internal callouts: 16
External callouts: 4
Dukinfield
Internal callouts: 10
External callouts: 2
Hyde/Longdendale
Internal callouts: 34
External callouts: 20
Mossley
Internal callouts: 6
External callouts: 6
Stalybridge
Internal callouts: 20
External callouts: 6
Trafford - 363 callouts in total
There were few callouts in Trafford, with a spokesperson for the council saying: “Trafford Council provides a pest control service which allows residents to access low-cost professional treatment for rats and mice. Alongside this we also investigate reports of rats and mice in public and semi-public areas, requiring land-owners to demonstrate that they have an adequate programme of pest control.
"We also undertake an annual programme of sewer-baiting in partnership with United Utilities, which helps to suppress the rat population.”
Breakdown of data by ward
Undisclosed location
Total callouts: 61
Altrincham
Internal callouts: 14
External callouts: 12
Ashton Upon Mersey
Internal callouts: 6
External callouts: 5
Bowdon
Internal callouts: 20
External callouts: 6
Broadheath
Internal callouts: 8
External callouts: 3
Brooklands
Internal callouts: 6
External callouts: 3
Bucklow St Martins
Internal callouts: 14
External callouts: 2
Clifford
Internal callouts: 10
External callouts: 6
Davyhulme East
Internal callouts: 6
External callouts: 7
Davyhulme West
Internal callouts: 5
Flixton
Internal callouts: 12
Unrecorded: 1
Gorse Hill
Internal callouts: 13
External callouts: 4
Hale
Internal callouts: 20
External callouts: 7
Hale Barns
Internal callouts: 8
External callouts: 3
Hale Central
External callouts: 1
Longford
Internal callouts: 19
External callouts: 10
Unrecorded: 1
Priory
Internal callouts: 8
External callouts: 7
Sale Moor
Internal callouts: 10
External callouts: 1
St Mary's
Internal callouts: 4
External callouts: 3
Stretford
Internal callouts: 8
External callouts: 4
Timperley
Internal callouts: 1
External callouts: 1
Urmston
Internal callouts: 15
External callouts: 11
Village
Internal callouts: 10
External callouts: 5
Wigan - 3,605 callouts in total
Wigan Council has claimed that their three visit approach to dealing with rat reports means that their figures triple compared to other councils, with the most likely number of incidents around 1,201.
David Lyon, Assistant Director for Environment at Wigan Council, said: “Wigan Council provides a comprehensive 3 visit approach to all enquiries to ensure we eradicate the pest issue. The numbers provided in response to the recent FOI includes these 3 visits per call out, which has effectively tripled our figures.
“While rats are an unfortunate and inevitable result of built-up areas, the council works hard to help tackle them and to make the reporting of issues easy for residents as part of the Wigan Deal, with information available on our website to report or request pest control services.
“The Council also provides pest control for private homeowners, which is cheaper than private pest control services. As a result, we find the service is popular and so a higher number of enquiries to the council is to be expected.
“With different councils providing different levels of service regarding rat and pest control, this direct comparison is not necessarily indicative of a wider issue.”
Breakdown of data by ward:
Abram
Internal callouts: 113
External callouts: 207
Ashton
Internal callouts: 56
External callouts: 37
Aspull New Springs Whelley
Internal callouts: 77
External callouts: 44
Astley Mosley Common
Internal callouts: 50
External callouts: 47
Atherleigh
Internal callouts: 50
External callouts: 108
Atherton
Internal callouts: 28
External callouts: 156
Bryn
Internal callouts: 61
External callouts: 113
Douglas
Internal callouts: 126
External callouts: 92
Golborne and Lowton West
Internal callouts: 56
External callouts: 53
Hindley
Internal callouts: 77
External callouts: 82
Hindley Green
Internal callouts: 82
External callouts: 16
Ince
Internal callouts: 136
External callouts: 102
Leigh East
Internal callouts: 21
External callouts: 74
Leigh South
Internal callouts: 55
External callouts: 103
Leigh West
Internal callouts: 66
External callouts: 153
Lowton East
Internal callouts: 48
External callouts: 17
Orrell
Internal callouts: 40
External callouts: 33
Pemberton
Internal callouts: 110
External callouts: 111
Shevington with Lower Ground
Internal callouts: 39
External callouts: 60
Standish with Langtree
Internal callouts: 47
External callouts: 38
Tyldesley
Internal callouts: 69
External callouts: 92
Wigan Central
Internal callouts: 65
External callouts: 67
Wigan West
Internal callouts: 63
External callouts: 79
Winstanley
Internal callouts: 13
External callouts: 79
Worsley Mesnes
Internal callouts: 77
External callouts: 75
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