North Plantation infested with rats
Measures to control the explosive population of rats at North Plantation are failing to deter the unwelcome visitors, according to business owners in the area.
Discarded takeaway food and open bins have encouraged rats to the area, and controls have so far been ineffective at keeping the rodents at bay.
The gardens at North Plantation are riddled with rat holes. The States said it was aware of the problem but people working in the area expressed concerns yesterday.
Younes Boumaaza works at Rosso, so often frequents the North Plantation area.
‘There’s a lot of rats and a lot of holes there,’ he said.
‘There is poison they put out but still they’re everywhere.’
He said some businesses did not close their bins, and he had seen rats in the area as far up as the telephone boxes opposite Rosso.
‘It’s not something good, they bring diseases,’ he added.
Nelio’s Deli owner Nelio Pointe said rats had always been at North Plantation, especially at night.
‘There has always been a problem with rats around here – there’s a lot of rubbish,’ he said.
Traps should be replaced and someone should go and get rid of them, he added.
‘They have got some traps there but they have been there for ages. I see them putting out poison in the morning but don’t see them getting any rats.’
He was glad none of the rodents had made their way into his shop.
‘We see rats going across at night but luckily we haven’t had any in here.’
Zack Slieman from Sahara City Grill agreed that there was a problem at night, especially when the area was busy at weekends.
‘Sometimes we see rats at night time but in the morning we don’t see anything,’ he said.
‘At night it is very busy, especially at the weekend.’
He said they had pest control at the restaurant to prevent the rats making their way in.
A States of Guernsey spokesman said that bait stations would be put in place.
‘We are aware of the situation and have been implementing further controls in response,’ they said.
‘We encourage food retailers in the area to take all practical steps to prevent food being left in the street overnight as it attracts rats. It is likely that their numbers are also higher as a result of a very mild winter.’
