Glasgow homes visited 12,000 times for rats and bugs by pest controllers

Today the Evening Times can reveal the extent of the city's vermin and insect problems as properties across the city are plagued with infestations. 

Figures obtained using freedom of information legislation show nearly 700 call-outs were made related to bugs since last January, with the largest group of these relating to bed bugs, while a further 11,500 calls regarding vermin were recorded. 

READ MORE: Find your street: Details of every pest control visit to city homes

Beasties like cockroaches, mites, wasps and ticks have all been reported to the council in recent months. 

Pest control visits to homes relating to bed bugs in Glasgow were located within a very limited area, stretching from Pollokshields in the west, to Mount Florida in the south east and covering Govanhill and Strathbungo, where the worst-affected streets were. 

No other areas across the city reported sightings of bed bugs to Glasgow City Council between January 2018 and May 2019. 

The council have said additional resources have been made available for the bed bug problem in Govanhill. 

A spokesman said: “We are currently looking at how we can improve our pest control service to ensure it is as efficient and effective as possible.

READ MORE: Giant rats swarm bins at Govan tenement block

“We always aim to respond to calls from the public for pest control support as quickly as possible while focusing resources where intensive treatments are required.

“Additional resources have been allocated in Govanhill to address local issues with bed bugs.

“We are also working with members of the community to inform them of what they can do personally to address a bed bug presence and we will continue to undertake treatments as requested."

Those representing the area have called for more to be done by Glasgow City Council. 

Southside Central councillor Bailie Soryia Siddique said: “Pest control concerns are an ongoing issue in Southside Central and eradication must be a number one priority for the administration. 

“There was discussion around block to block treatment which must be reviewed to ensure robust processes are in place. Cuts to local government funding cuts services and impacts lives.”

Bailie Soryia Siddique

While the issue of bed bugs is endemic to only one area of the city, Glasgow’s vermin problem is widespread. 

Mice, rats, stray dogs and birds have all caused distress to residents, forcing them to call council environmental health workers. 

The worst-affected streets are seen in different areas of the city, including plush areas of the West End. 

Chancellor Street, Dumbarton Road and Paisley Road West all feature in the top ten roads for vermin issues. 

READ MORE: Glasgow tenant says Govan Housing Association must do more to tackle rat infestation

The news comes during the ongoing roll-out of Glasgow City Council's bin replacement programme. 

Officers in Glasgow have said they hope this will contribute to a reduction in vermin cases across the city. 

Despite the criticism, Glasgow City Council have said they believe improvements will be witnessed across the city as the Glasgow bin replacement programme reaches more areas. 

A council spokesman added: “The most effective way to stifle the rat population on a long term basis is to cut off their sources of food.

READ MORE: Primary school forced to install washing machines to end bedbug infestation nightmare

“The current £6.5m initiative to replace 50,000 old-style steel bins across the city will have a significant impact on the rat population.”

“Steel bins are small and often in poor condition which can lead to the spread of litter and waste, which encourages vermin and creates health and safety issues.

“The bin replacement programme will eventually see 80,000 new wheelie bins introduced into the city’s bin courts, which will provide much better containment of waste and lead to more effective pest control treatments.

"The recent, successful introduction of new arrangements for commercial waste collections has also seen a significant reduction in the amount waste littering streets."   

Cllr Eva Murray

Councillor Eva Murray, whose Garscadden/Scotstounhill ward houses some of the city’s worst streets for vermin, said: “These figures are deeply concerning and we should all reflect on what more needs to be done. 

“But ultimately, it will be up to the staff in environmental health to deal with these problems as they arise, and we need to ensure that they have all the resources they need to put in place lasting solutions.

READ MORE: Cockroach and bedbug alert for Glasgow teachers: City schools 'riddled' with insects

“Unfortunately, we’ve seen year after year of cuts to Glasgow’s budget, and it means there’s less money to fund these vital services. Responsibility for that lies with the Scottish Government in Edinburgh. It is simply not good enough, and Glaswegians deserve better.”