Rats on the rise as pest controllers answer Diss Town Council’s SOS

Residents and visitors to Diss are being asked to stop feeding the town’s wildlife as it is contributing to a growing number of rats.

Diss Town Council has called on people to help tackle the growing issue by refraining from feeding ducks and pigeons in the town centre.

The authority believes that an excess of bread and other items of food at Mere’s Mouth and Madgett’s Walk is inadvertently contributing to an increase of vermin in the area.

Rats are supposedly being attracted to food left out for birds and other animals, with the fear that it could lead to various public health and environmental issues.

“Our wildlife is an important and cherished part of our community, but we must balance this with maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone,” said town clerk Sarah Villafuerte-Richards.

“By not feeding the wildlife, we can significantly reduce the availability of food for rats and help control their population.”

The town council is working with a pest control company, which is monitoring the area regularly.

“We are grateful to local businesses, which are taking proactive measures by installing their own rat bait boxes,” added Mrs Villafuerte-Richards.

“However, the success of these efforts also relies heavily on community cooperation.

“We encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the town’s wildlife responsibly by observing from a distance and not leaving food out in public spaces.

“This small change can really make a significant difference in managing the rat population and protecting both human and animal health.”

In 2019, a falcon, called Fay, was flown around the town in a bid to help deter a growing number of pigeons from roosting.