COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

QUESTION NO 17

QUESTION: Councillor S. Crowe

"To ask the manager in view of the obvious health and safety implications will he give  a report regarding works he proposes to take to eliminate the growth of vermin on the Council allotments in  Bohernabreena?"

REPLY:

In order to eliminate the growth of vermin on the Council allotments in Bobernabreena, the Council would encourage the co-operation and assistance of allotment holders.   The presence of vermin is an indicator that the allotment site is not being maintained to a sufficiently clean and tidy standard.

A level of vermin is always present as part our natural environment.  It is not possible to eliminate vermin completely; rather their numbers must be managed.  If vermin is cleared from the site, it is likely that other vermin will move in from the countryside if food and nest sites remain available.  It is good practice that allotment holders maintain good hygiene to keep the number to a minimum by depriving them of nesting sites and food sources.

Managing the level of vermin on the allotment site is dependent upon the practices of allotment holders and discouraging them by inter alia:

- Harvesting ripe fruit and vegetables promptly and removing same from the allotment site.

- The prompt removal of discarded fruit or vegetables from the ground.

- Not leaving food or drink on the allotment site or composting cooked food in compost heaps.

- Keeping the size and number of compost heaps to a minimum and turning them regularly.

- The use of secure plastic compost bins.

- Ensuring the allotment plots are clean and tidy to eliminate cover e.g. free of long grass and weeds.

Current environmental thinking is moving away from the control of vermin by poison as it has a negative effect on other wild mammals, birds of prey, dogs.