No Link Between AWC and Vermin

Despite a report that states the sightings of vermin in AWC areas have increased by as much as 23% since 2005, Waste minister Joan Ruddock has dismissed claims that fortnightly waste collections are linked to vermin.

The Esure Home Insurance study, published July 3, claims that since the fortnightly collections scheme was introduced, residents have seen a 23% increase in squirrels, a 17% increase in mice, a 39% increase in wasps, and a 12% increase in rats.

In what seemed to be an obvious correlation, many of the 1,000 people surveyed blamed the collections scheme and 52% said they were “angered by their council’s decision to decrease their refuse collections”.

It turns out that many specific problems were caused by the residents’ own actions: 37% admitted they forgot to take out their refuse for collection at least once every other month; another 37% admitted that their bins often over flow and have often left waste outside in black bin bags.

Joan Ruddock, Minister for Waste, Biodiversity and Climate Change, argued that “wheeled bins should be secure enough to prevent pests”.

She said: “Local authorities are advised that alternate bin collection should only be introduced where rigid bins are in use. There are no pests I know of that can chew through a rigid bin, or lift its lid.”

Mrs. Ruddock also referred to an alternative report earlier this year which claimed an opposite point of view.

She said: “In February this year the Chairman of the National Pest Technician Association reported that there is no direct link between rat infestation and alternate weekly collection. Barrie Sheard said ‘So long as wheelie bins are not overflowing with lots of side rubbish then you will not have a problem’. I suspect he knows more about pests than Esure does.”

For more information, visit: esure.com or npta.org.uk