Startforth villagers demand action over rat infestation

Chickens being kept in back gardens and overgrown green spaces are being blamed for a rat infestation in Startforth.

Durham County Council says warm and wet weather has made it difficult to keep up with grass-cutting, but this is unlikely to be the cause of the vermin problem.

Several residents turned up at Startforth Parish Council’s latest meeting to highlight the pest issue.

A resident said: “We have come together to express our concern about the state of the village. It is particularly unkempt, it has been allowed to fall into disrepair.

“There are public areas that were always maintained but for some reason aren’t maintained.

“They don’t cut it all. They are leaving a set aside that is a harbourage for rats.

“I understand there is a problem down the back of Corn Close, Low Startforth and all that area.

“Ultimately, we have got a problem with rats. For as long as you have got a habitat they can live in, they are going to live in it.

“Come winter, those rats that are living outside want to live inside and they will end up in people’s houses.”

Cllr Peter Worley said another issue contributing to the problem is people keeping chickens in their gardens.

He added: “Anywhere in this country where you have chickens in backyards, you have rats because it is a natural food source for them. And they breed every nine weeks.”

A resident said the parish council should educate people about the problem, particularly if they are feeding wild birds.

She said RSPB advice is to not feed birds between May and October.

She added: “They encourage you not to because it stops them becoming natural foragers.”

Residents complained that the entrances to the village were overgrown to the point where traffic signs are being obscured.

Parish chairman Cllr Craig Baker urged residents to map a list of problem areas so that the parish council can take up the issue with Durham County Council.

The parish council also agreed to find out who owns land in the problem areas.

Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “We have received reports of rat sightings in parts of the village and will be investigating.

“We have also issued guidance to residents in those areas with advice on how to deter rats.

“Due to the recent warm and wet weather, it has been more challenging to maintain our county-wide grass cutting programme.

“However, this is unlikely to have contributed to any increased presence of rats. Our Clean and Green team is working across all our communities and has recently carried out grass cutting in Startforth.”