This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-30131295
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Top of the pests: rats, wasps and bird-eating spiders | Top of the pests: rats, wasps and bird-eating spiders |
(about 20 hours later) | |
More pests were dealt with in Wales per person than in any other country in the UK last year, according to the British Pest Control Association (BPCA). | More pests were dealt with in Wales per person than in any other country in the UK last year, according to the British Pest Control Association (BPCA). |
Welsh local authorities treated pests nearly 50,000 times - rats alone caused 27,198 problems. | Welsh local authorities treated pests nearly 50,000 times - rats alone caused 27,198 problems. |
One of the more unusual problems was an infestation of tarantula-type spiders in a child's bedroom in Aberdare. | One of the more unusual problems was an infestation of tarantula-type spiders in a child's bedroom in Aberdare. |
Wales had three times more call-outs for rats than Scotland and 11 times more than Northern Ireland. | Wales had three times more call-outs for rats than Scotland and 11 times more than Northern Ireland. |
80 droppings a day | 80 droppings a day |
The Chartered Institute for Environmental Health (CIEH) says the figures, obtained from a freedom of information request to all UK local authorities, are "significant". | The Chartered Institute for Environmental Health (CIEH) says the figures, obtained from a freedom of information request to all UK local authorities, are "significant". |
Julie Barratt from CIEH said: "2013 was an exceptional year weather-wise and in bad weather the rats will look for somewhere to go. There are not more rats, they are just more visible. | Julie Barratt from CIEH said: "2013 was an exceptional year weather-wise and in bad weather the rats will look for somewhere to go. There are not more rats, they are just more visible. |
"Rats have always caused problems for public health. The best thing people can do is make sure their homes are resistant." | "Rats have always caused problems for public health. The best thing people can do is make sure their homes are resistant." |
Cockroaches and bed bugs are more likely to be found over the English border, with 63 times more cockroaches in London than in Wales. | |
More exotic pests reaching Wales include bird-eating tarantulas and baboon spiders. | More exotic pests reaching Wales include bird-eating tarantulas and baboon spiders. |
In January Aderyn Pest Control dealt with an "infestation" of baboon spiders in a child's room in Aberdare. | In January Aderyn Pest Control dealt with an "infestation" of baboon spiders in a child's room in Aberdare. |
Tarantulas | Tarantulas |
The call for help came when pet spiders, which are more commonly found in Africa and are part of the tarantula family, had bred and multiplied. | The call for help came when pet spiders, which are more commonly found in Africa and are part of the tarantula family, had bred and multiplied. |
Tonypandy-based Aderyn Pest Control say they also receive one or two call-outs for bird-eating tarantulas a year. | Tonypandy-based Aderyn Pest Control say they also receive one or two call-outs for bird-eating tarantulas a year. |
David Cross from Pest control firm Rentokil said: "Tropical species enter Wales, and the wider UK, on a regular basis through a number of different ways. | David Cross from Pest control firm Rentokil said: "Tropical species enter Wales, and the wider UK, on a regular basis through a number of different ways. |
"Tropical invertebrates such as tarantulas and scorpions can enter the country on cargo ships." | "Tropical invertebrates such as tarantulas and scorpions can enter the country on cargo ships." |
But trouble-makers are not always so exotic. | But trouble-makers are not always so exotic. |
Rabbits, hamsters and gerbils are some of the pests called out for last year that turned out to be neighbours' pets, according to private pest controllers. | Rabbits, hamsters and gerbils are some of the pests called out for last year that turned out to be neighbours' pets, according to private pest controllers. |
Welsh company Pest Away say they receive up to five calls for "invisible" creepy-crawlies a year. | Welsh company Pest Away say they receive up to five calls for "invisible" creepy-crawlies a year. |
A spokesperson for the company said: "One man was changing his bed every week because he was convinced he had bedbugs and we just couldn't convince him that there was nothing there." | A spokesperson for the company said: "One man was changing his bed every week because he was convinced he had bedbugs and we just couldn't convince him that there was nothing there." |
Top five Pests in Wales | Top five Pests in Wales |
1. Rats | 1. Rats |
2. Wasps | 2. Wasps |
3. Mice | 3. Mice |
4. Ants | 4. Ants |
5. Fleas | 5. Fleas |
Source: BPCA | Source: BPCA |
Pest Facts | Pest Facts |
Rats | Rats |
Wasps | Wasps |
Mice | Mice |
Ants | Ants |
Fleas | Fleas |
Goliath bird eating spiders | Goliath bird eating spiders |
Previous version
1
Next version