For some weeks now residents have been noticing a collection of rats in Dean Gardens. At first the rats sighted numbered up to 10 – now the numbers seem to have increased.
Our LibDem Councillors have reported the problem to Council Officers.
The solution to the problem seems to be in two parts:
- Kill the rats
- Investigate why the rats are congregating in the park – and then eliminate the cause(s)
The area most affected is close by the Uxbridge Road bus stop. This is the area where 100+ pigeons are regularly fed by local residents. We have had this pigeon problem for many years. Maybe they (pigeons and human feeders) are contributing to the rat problem.
One does also wonder whether one of the goals of the recent sustainable drainage scheme in Dean Gardens – ‘to improve wildlife habitats’ – has been inadvertently realised for the rat population.