Residents said they had seen and heard of more rats and mice near Yarm allotments, though they said that the new recycling collections had ‘settled down’
Bins, bags and a food caddy out for collection by Stockton Council and (inset) a rat spotted at nearby allotments in Yarm.(Image: LDRS/UGC)
A rise in rat activity has been reported near Yarm allotments following the introduction of weekly food waste recycling collections.
Local councillors have raised concerns about vermin after the first weeks of the food waste collections from caddies on doorsteps, which are now required by law. Residents have spoken of rats and mice, with one referring to “seagull with a rat in its mouth”, though several said the new system was working and had “settled down” following initial problems.
Councillor Andrew Sherris, Conservative ward member for Yarm, said properties near allotments who placed waste food out in new grey caddies had seen a “marked increase in rat activity” in the allotments, near Challoner Road and Meynell’s Walk. He said: “Many of the residents are elderly and are doing their best to comply with the new regime that involves weekly food collection in grey caddies.
“Unfortunately if not fastened properly or if blown over in the wind then there are accessible ready meals for the rodents that have been rapidly increasing in numbers in recent weeks. As the weather gets warmer we’re only going to see an increase in activity as shown by the photo taken on a nearby allotment only metres away from a nearby bungalow.
Councillor Andrew Sherris from Stockton Council(Image: Stockton Council)
“With the best will in the world it’s not going to work in all locations and I would suggest that food waste in these locations are again placed in the green bin as before.”
Resident and Yarm town councillor Yvonne Pybus said: “Elderly residents want to do the right thing with recycling. However, we can’t run the risk of increasing rat activity nearby and on the allotments.”
Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for environment, leisure and culture, said: “All local authorities in England are legally required to provide weekly food waste collections for every household. Residents can choose not to use the caddies – however, we’d encourage everyone to do so as the general waste bin is now emptied fortnightly.
“The food waste caddies are robust and do have a lockable lid to make sure that food waste is kept secure and stop animals from getting in. Anyone concerned about pest control can visit the council’s website and request support by visiting www.digital.stockton.gov.uk/environmental-health-contact-pest-control.”
Councillor Nigel Cooke, cabinet member for environment, leisure and culture at Stockton Council.(Image: LDRS/applicable for all partners)
Near the allotments on Meynell’s Walk, retired nurse Sharon Taylor, 67, said: “I’ve noticed the rats and mice in the last two weeks. I’m picking big pieces of rat poo up. They run along the fence.”
She said some people had been feeding waste food to birds or dumping carrier bags in bins on a main road. She said the new system was “starting to go well now”, but expressed concerns about nappies and sanitary products in non-recycled waste: “It’s an environmental health issue. Those bins should not be emptied once a fortnight.”
Retired secretary Daphne Ritchie, 76, said: “Somebody said they saw a seagull and it had a rat in its mouth. They said the gull was huge.” But she said the waste collections had been “all right”.
Retired chambermaid Gillian Dodds, 78, was not a fan of the new system: “I can’t do it. I’m disabled, I struggle, I can’t get the stuff out of the kitchen, it’s far too hard for me.”
A resident of The Meadowings had seen piles of bin bags because people could not get hold of the necessary bags and boxes: “My neighbour had a bin bag split open at the bottom. It had been chewed, food had been pulled out.
“I’ve seen about four mice in the space of three days, I didn’t see them before that. People don’t want to keep the bin bags in their houses, it’s two weeks, it stinks.”
A mobile carer for a resident with a broken food caddy said: “For people who are unable to do the right thing, unfortunately they’re not able to get out and get the right containers.
“With the food waste, personally I think a daft idea, especially when we’re coming into summer. Obviously food waste is going to attract vermin. Another thing is the smell.”
Bins, bags and a food caddy out for collection by Stockton Council.(Image: LDRS/applicable for all partners)
At the other end of Challoner Road, 61-year-old Paul Taylor said: “I’ve had no problems. They’ve taken everything away as they should. It’s been fine so far.”
Another resident said: “I feel sorry for the binmen, they’re trying their best, it’s been hard for them. They’re getting a lot of stick and it’s not their fault. I’ve nothing but praise for them, I’ve lived here for 30 years and they’ve always been fantastic.
“People are putting out the wrong things. They don’t seem to have an understanding of what you have to put out.
“It’s simple – one week it’s everything, the next week it’s just the bags. People just don’t seem to get it.”
A resident who moved from Middlesbrough two months ago, added: “It was teething troubles but I think it’s settling down now. I would prefer bins, what I worry about with these bags is windy days, if you leave them open the rubbish is all over.”
Did you know you can make Teesside Live a preferred source of Teesside news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here.
For Stockton news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
Join Teesside Live’s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone
Teesside Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send you the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.
To join our community group, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Teesside Live team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.