CHARGING for pest control has led to a 50 per cent fall in call-outs and an increase in the number of rats in Hambleton.
Councillors are now considering scrapping the charges amid fears that infestations are going unreported and poor baiting is making the problem worse.
A £25 fee was introduced by Hambleton District Council in April, making it one of only three local authorities in the county to charge for rat treatments.
Since then, requests for treatments have plummeted, with only 63 call-outs for rats in the first three months, compared with 128 in the same period last year.
Environmental services director Steve Quartermain said people were avoiding the service and trying to deal with the problem themselves. He said: "While this is laudable, there is a lack of knowledge of proper baiting techniques and this leads to problems treating rodents."
The issue will be discussed by a committee this week.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article