Birmingham's giant rats: Pest controllers swamped amid bin strikes - 'I've had one day off in two months'
Giant rats the size of ferrets are causing havoc in Birmingham as pest controllers face overwhelming demand due to ongoing bin strikes.
Giant rats the size of ferrets and baby monkeys are invading the streets of Birmingham amid the ongoing strikes, Britain's busiest pest controller has revealed.
The monster rodents can be seen "on a daily basis" scurrying among the mountains of uncollected waste which have been dumped by the roadside in the city.
William Timms, who runs WJ Pest Solutions, says he caught a 22 inch rat last week - the same size as a ferret, some monkeys or a small dog - and has only had one day off in nearly three months.
Other pest controllers across Birmingham say they have also seen business levels double since the strikes began and there's also been a surge in cockroaches.
William said: "The issue is getting out of control. There are bags piled 5ft high and10-15ft across.
"Rats the size of kittens are being seen daily. I had one last week that measured over 22in in length.
"On the odd occasion West Midlands Police have to be called as a shoot may be required due to the amount of rats.
"Work increase has been 50 per cent more compared to previous years. Cockroach calls have also gone up too.
"Rats are gaining access to cars, minibuses, chewing wiring. Peoples homes, and schools. People are adding to the issue by flytipping furniture on top of the rubbish.
"It's affecting the business greatly in the pest industry, work is very busy, but also as a born and bred Brummie I feel disgusting how the city looks.
"On my street alone we have bins that haven't been collected, with black sacks starting to pile up, I had a day off for the first time in two months as my wife and body were telling me it's time for a break.
"I have heard the council are calling other councils for help, however if they can't help then Armed Forces will be called in, which isn't their job at all.
"They are a fighting force, and should be treated that way. I have a special feeling for our Armed Forces being ex-army myself.
"Calling in the army would put even more strain on our forces, and the lads and lasses that are in the army would be treated like the bin men that are working being held up by strikers walking very very slowly.
"I heard today some binmen have arranged for their bins to be collected on their road, which is unbelievable, this needs to be resolved ASAP before someone gets hurt.
"People are buying their own bait, laying traps, and glue boards, which are now illegal, and laying them in areas where cats, dogs, foxes, and birds can be caught or killed
"Its a dreadful time for the people of Birmingham."
Stuart Howes, managing director of Greenlab Pestcontrol in Birmingham, said they were getting 30-50 per cent more call outs.
He said: "On average we are currently experiencing 30-50 per cent more call-outs due to the bin strikes, this applies to both business and residential properties across Birmingham as a whole.
"We serve around 700 business customers in the West Midlands and the high ratio of call outs within Birmingham itself compared to other regions is evident.
"Bearing in mind that our peak season for rat call outs is usually October - February during the cooler months, this is out of the normal range and is significant.
"We are mainly experiencing call outs to gardens and driveways where rats are now being sighted on a regular basis as they scavenge for the abundance of food that has now kindly been left out for them by Birmingham Council.
"Rats are certainly gaining size, again due the on-going supply of food that has been left on the doorsteps.
"The rapid reduction rates coupled with a never ending food source has left a vastly over populated rat population literally on Birmingham residents doorsteps."
Sharon Nicol, director of Birmingham Pest Control Ltd, said: "We've had to order three times as many bait stations in because we're so busy.
"The demand has definitely increased since the strikes began.
"We've had an increase in calls too from worried residents, concerned that the rats are breeding.
"The rats are getting very plump, they have plenty of food and shelter and its a big problem - but to us it's just another job to go out on and we're trying to keep on top of it."