Coventry's CV6 postcode is city's 'rat capital'

Data obtained exclusively by the Telegraph reveals the problem is getting worse



Coventry’s CV6 postcode area, which includes Foleshill and Holbrooks, is the city’s ‘rat capital’ - and the problem is getting worse.

Council pest controllers received 718 requests to deal with rodents in the area from January to mid-November last year - an increase of 133 calls on the previous year.

On average two rats per day were spotted rummaging around peoples’ homes.

The CV2 postcode district, covering an area north east of the city centre, was next with 354 requests for help.

Coventry’s CV1 area, covering the city centre, saw 318 call outs.

In contrast, there were only 21 calls made to the council by homeowners in CV7, which includes the Balsall Common, Berkswell and Keresley areas.

Data obtained exclusively by the Telegraph shows that Coventry’s rat problem has been getting worse - and this could be caused by the warmer weather.

In 2014, pest controllers received over 1,600 calls by mid-November.

During the same time frame in 2016, over 2,000 calls had been made to Coventry City Council complaining of rats.

Experts from the council told the Telegraph that mild winters had helped to make breeding conditions ideal for the rodents.

A spokesman said: “The rat population can be determined by the type of season we have had, i.e a long, cold, hard winter will reduce the rat population for the following year, a mild winter and warm spring would provide perfect breeding conditions.

“The population of rats within Coventry is on average no greater than any other town or city nationally.”

Phil Hibberd, pest control and animal welfare manager for Coventry City Council, said: “In some areas of the city, the sewer systems are very old and unfortunately they would cost too much to replace at present.

“Milder winters contribute to numbers staying high. The cold isn’t killing the rats which allows them to carry on breeding.

“Overgrown gardens and litter on the streets also create a ready food supply for them.”

“If people don’t inform us as soon as they come across pests, then they are given an opportunity to breed, which again increases the number of pests.

“Unfortunately we just don’t have the resources to go out and look for rats, so we need residents to stay vigilant and report any sightings as soon as possible.”

Coventry City Council deals with a wide range of pests besides rats including moles, fleas, wasps and squirrels.

The unit deals with rats, cockroaches and bedbugs for free and charges for getting rid of other types of pests.