Councillors raise concern over rats 'immune to poison' running round Ringwood

PEST controllers are struggling to deal with huge increases in rat numbers in Ringwood, with a councillor claiming the vermin have become immune to poison.

Marianne Giles, who runs the 4Zero café in the town, urged Ringwood members to do more because she had seen the pests “running” across streets and in her back garden.

Her claim to the latest town council meeting was backed by Cllr Gloria O’Reilly, who owns a business and has in the past talked about needing to call in pest controllers to get rid of them.

Cllr O’Reilly said she knew the local rat catcher was inundated with work, adding: “The rats in Ringwood are actually immune to all the bait and it’s a major problem getting rid of them.”

Cllr Tim Ward said the problem was made worse by people putting out their rubbish days in advance of it being collected, which was contrary to advice that it be done the night before, or the in morning.

“We all have to play a part in stopping the refuse,” he said.

Members questioned Cllr Heron, also a New Forest District Council cabinet member, on its rubbish policy and mooted the possibility of wheelie bins.

He ruled that out though, explaining it would limit the amount of rubbish a household could dispose of – which would “never ever” get support.

He did highlight Forest residents can use NFDC’s pest service free of charge, but businesses had to pay.

The mayor, Cllr Ring pointed out a lot of properties in the Forest would have to place wheelie bins away from their homes – such as flats – which would cause health and safety issues and visual pollution.

He promised Mrs Giles the council would explore what it could do further and lobby NFDC.