COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, February 24, 2020

QUESTION NO. 6

QUESTION: Councillor Teresa Costello

"To ask the Chief Executive how many reports of pest infestation have been reported by location in Tallaght Central over the past 12 months, what action is taken to deal with the issue and is there a follow up to ensure the issue is resolved?"

REPLY:

There were a total figure of 232 rodent complaints made directly to Environmental Health for the Tallaght area in  2019 requesting pest control service.

It is not possible to easily separate out the stats for each Electoral area but from drilling into specific complaints, we believe that a figure of 150 complaints is fairly accurate for the Tallaght Central area.

It is also possible that some of this total could appear more than once, but this is normally rare over  a 12 month period.

All complaints are referred immediately on the day into HSE Pest Control in Cherry Orchard Hospital Campus, Ballyfermot.

Complaints relating to inside domestic houses are of a higher risk and receive priority for treatment.

The normal procedure is that the Pest Controller will visit the property on an agreed day and approximate time with the complainant,  for the initial treatment.

The problem is risk assessed and the appropriate level of treatment is commenced.

Treatment for rats by the HSE Pest Control Unit is by use of a rodenticide.

The Unit will generally revisit the property, two days after baiting has commenced to observe ANY activity.

If poison/bait  has being taken, they will re-poison.

A third/fourth call will then be made and the complaint is deemed sorted and closed off, only when 2 consecutive no takes are witnessed.

There is no charge for this service.