The illegal disposal of waste and the risk to public health

Rats, Mice and insects love the environment that fly tipped rubbish and furniture creates, and once they have made themselves at home and start breeding, they can multiply at an alarming rate. If a female rat gives birth to around six litters of up to 12 baby rats each year and these babies start reproducing when they are 10 weeks old, the original pair that snuggled up in an abandoned sofa can become over 1,000 in 12 months. 

The problems that can create Include infections such as leptospirosis, hantavirus, rat-bite fever and a type of meningitis, which can be transmitted to people. Not the type of environment we like to live in. 

Despite their short lives, house flies are extremely (re)productive with females able to lay up to 500 eggs over a three-to-four-day period. They are attracted by food waste and rubbish feeding across different food sources and causing cross contamination.  

House flies are estimated by the World Health Organization to transmit around 65 diseases. These include salmonella, E. coli 0157 and campylobacter which can cause food poisoning, which can result in severe diarrhoea and vomiting and occasionally, more serious complaints. 

As well as providing the prefect breeding ground for rats and insects, shared rear entries full of discarded items are a fire hazard and can prevent fire service crews from gaining access in an emergency.