Pest control brought in to tackle forest park rats

Following concerns about the number of rodents in the forest, MLAs Paul Givan and Edwin Poots and Councillor Paul Stewart had a meeting with the Forest Service and have since urged members of the public to refrain from feeding bread to the ducks and swans at the park as it is encouraging rats and vermin.

Mr Givan commented: “It has become evident Hillsborough Forest Park is becoming overrun with vermin. Due to the severity of this matter I arranged a meeting with Health Minister, Edwin Poots, Councillor Paul Stewart and Mark Parker from the Forest Service.”

Mr Poots said: “Over a short period of time we noticed the severe problem at first hand with many rats occupying the grass area beside the car park. Whilst we do not wish to alarm members of the public into not using this excellent facility it is important to highlight the concerns raised by the Forestry Service about the feeding of ducks and swans in the lake.”

The advice of the Forest Service is that feeding bread to the ducks or swans is not of nutritional benefit and studies of carcasses of deceased birds have indicated severe levels of malnutrition.

Mr Stewart supported that advice: “If the public wish to visit Hillsborough Lake I would ask them to exercise caution as the volume of bread being fed to the ducks is also having an effect on the number of rats in the area” he said.

“In light of this, the Forest Service has been asked to consider placing alternative feeding dispensers that will be rodent proof close to the lake.”

A spokesman for the Forest Service said that control measures have already started to deal with the vermin problem.

He explained a pest control contractor has already been engaged and work has started on measures to reduce the rodent population. This work will continue for a period of weeks to ensure effective results.

He added: “Forest Service is continuing to carry out regular maintenance of the recreation facilities in the forest. Food left for wildfowl increases the risk of a rodent problem by providing a readily available food source. We are asking users of the forest for their assistance and co-operation in managing this issue. Signs are in place at Hillsborough requesting people to refrain from feeding wildfowl until further notice.

“The type of litter bins used in the forest, and where they are best placed, has also been reviewed. New litter bins have been ordered that are more rodent proof than existing bins. We would therefore ask people to be mindful in disposing of any litter properly.”