Rats entered some of the flats in 2014. One of the residents managed to trap and kill a rat. There was also evidence of rats having accessed the flats in the form of holes in cardboard containers through which they had nibbled and eaten the cereals inside, droppings, paw prints, mud, dirt, nibbled bait, etc. The attached notice gives details of:
What we have done to reduce the risk of rats entering flats.
What you can do to minimise the risks of rats being tempted to enter and remain in your flat.
What to do if you find evidence of rats having been in your flat.
Points below from email dated 1 Nov 15 by John Macdougall (Director) contains additional useful information:
We need a three point solution.
1) Blocking Access Points – It is our understanding that conduits were set into the concrete slab in the base of the block. Once a rat can access these conduits they can get access throughout the building. We blocked what we believe to be the main access point that was in the brickwork at the rear of the building but there is nothing to stop rats creating a new one. We also filled the base of the conduit in Flat 1 and various exit points in the flats above but this in only one corner of the building that has been treated and so were are vulnerable still on the other three corners. However to do this work we had to remove kitchen units in Janet and Ione’s flat. We were fortunate this could be done without any damage being done to the kitchen units. We may not be so fortunate in the other three flats and my recommendation is that we only do work in those flats when they are changing their kitchen or if there is evidence of rat activity in their flats. In the meantime we should all be vigilant in spotting other potential access points on the perimeter of the building. Protex will be looking out for these on their visits as well. Any sign of holes being dug next to the walls of the building should be reported to me for investigation and I will also be acting on Protex’s reports if any access points are highlighted by them.
2) Reducing the availability of other food sources – It is important that we try to reduce other food sources by removing all rubbish from the grounds of the building and the car park and I think our cleaner is doing a good job on this. The other thing we need to be careful of is the storing of food and waste in our flats. Advice regarding this is in the notice attached.
3) Reducing the number of pests in the area of the building – If we can keep the population of pests (rats and mice) controlled in the vicinity of our building this logically controls the number of potential pests who may access our building by creating access holes in the perimeter or literally walking through an open door. We have a contract with Protex to keep the population of pests (rats and mice) controlled in the vicinity of our building .