Mouse and rat invasions see Louth council tenants turn to charity for help

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Council tenants in Louth are turning to St. Vincent De Paul to help cover the cost of pest control problems in their homes.

A Louth councillor highlighted how tenants are being forced to foot the bill for pest control when “it is not their fault” and could be caused by construction works underway close to their home.

Cllr. Sionainn McCann told the October meeting of Louth County Council that social housing tenants had contacted her about ongoing problems with mice and rats in their home.

“I do think we need to have some sort of policy around it. Looking into another winter, I feel it will be disappointing if you have social housing tenants going to the likes of St. Vincent De Paul for a second year in a row to help finance pest control in their houses.”

She added that this was especially frustrating for tenants who then receive reports from pest control companies telling them it was “not a domestic issue” and is coming from an outside source.

"Basically, it is not the fault of the tenant, but they are having to deal with rats and mice.”

Director of Service, Ger Murphy told the meeting that tenants are responsible for arranging for pest control services in their home.

He said they would liaise with tenants where possible, but added that the local authority wouldn’t cover costs of pest control.

A spokesperson for the council told independent.ie that if a pest problem is a result of a construction site, “then the matter can be referred to the Planning Section here who can examine if the pest control requirements set out in the planning conditions attached to the development are being met.”