A Wilshaw House resident told me yesterday that he has mice in his kitchen (he is on the top floor!) and has seen rats round the bins on the ground floor. He believes this sudden increase in the rodent population is due to all the building work going on across the Creek with the Galliard Homes development. Apparently this is a well known problem that occurs near building sites, and especially around the preparations for the 2012 Olympics (which, let's face it, is the reason developers are taking over sites near us).
PEST WATCH:
- Wrap all waste food when using the chutes (Lewisham Homes has no contract in place to clean the bins, so it is up to us to not make it worse)
- Place food and rubbish in sealed containers and clean under cookers, fridges and cupboards
- Store pet food carefully and clean feeding bowls regularly
- Seal holes into buildings – mice can get through the width of a ballpoint pen – and keep pipes and drains in good repair
Image © SE8Signs www.SE8Signs.co.uk
Only ants and pesky root-eating squirrels on Holden top floor. So far. The squirrels hop off the tree, the ants follow a gunge trail up the chute. Is sciuricide* really the worst of crimes?
ReplyDelete*Note: I can't find a spellcheck-acceptable word for what I'm planning.
I believe that's an urban myth about rats being 'disturbed' by building work. And you can always seal the holes to your flat from inside - at least stop the critters getting into your kitchen.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally pest control is on the agenda of the Lewisham Homes leaseholder services improvement group meeting at the town hall this Thursday 25 March, 7pm. Come along if you have questions or want to know more.
Dammit, that's our TRA night and also there's a Lewisham Homes walkabout at 7pm to assess security issues on the estate...
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, I'm going to be grilling them about pest control particularly in terms of the methods they use and the efficacy of the treatment, especially now leaseholders in blocks have to pay, whether they have a problem or not. Treatment in our block has been ongoing for at least four years and is continuing, so is clearly not effective. The short notice of treatment dates, lack of alternatives and lack of follow-up when access cannot be gained to certain properties contributes to the problem.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Helena. Often the person experiencing and reporting the problem is not the source of the infestation, and it can take months to sort out without even going to the source (which might be an uncooperative tenant with mental health problems). And while the problem might be isolated to one or two flats, all the leaseholders in the entire block have to pay but the tenants do not.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, it appears in our service charges without a date or a reference number, so we don't know what 'Pest Control' we are being asked to pay for.
Please keep us posted.
Helena, where can I find an agenda for this meeting? Our Repairs Rep usually goes to these but he is away...The LH website doesn't even give the time.
ReplyDelete