Question
CEF 16 2024 Rodent Controls update
Question
Although the issue of rodent control has been addressed, could we please get an update from conservation on the progress of this issue? Quite a few members of the public are still raising concerns, one in particular about the amount of rats around the USAF fire station at the airhead.
AIG Response
Conservation and Fisheries Directorate, AIG have received the final report from Wildlife Management International Limited (WMIL). The full report will be distributed to Councillors and stakeholders for review and comment, following which the AIG intend to publish the report on the AIG website.
Results from the rodenticide resistance testing conducted by WMIL are still outstanding, but the Environmental Health (EH) team is following up and have requested the outcomes as soon as possible.
The EH team is back up to full strength following the arrival of a third team member in August. The new EH officer’s primary responsibility is to replenish and maintain the increased number of bait stations throughout the settlement areas, workplaces, and protected areas according to the recommended schedule and protocols set out in the WMIL report. Additionally, the new EH officer is supporting EH’s roadkill removal response, to reduce the risk of contact with rodent carcases, although this work continues to be a lower priority. The EH team have noted a decrease in Job requests relating to rats and mice over the last month, but the team are continuing to be monitor the situation to ensure early response when conditions change.
The AIG is assessing the recommendations in the WMIL report, including the those relating to the resourcing of the EH team to effectively control rodent populations during peak abundance. As the WMIL report notes, seasonal increases in rodent populations can occur. As a contingency measure for this eventuality the EH team have ordered additional supplies of rodenticide, traps and bait stations. New trap designs also are being trialled and an increase in funding will be sought in the next financial year from external donors to scale up methods that show effective results.
Rodent controls at the US Base falls under the remit of the USSF Environmental Health team. We have relayed your concern to the US Base Commander, Major Erik Blum, and he has suggested you contact him directly so that he can provide a response to your enquiry about the US Fire Station facility at the Airhead.
Councillor Worthington
Submitted: 25 September 2024
Response: 14 October 2024
