Local Authority pest controllers made nearly 2,500 pest related visits to Welsh schools over a five-year period, according to figures obtained by the Welsh Conservatives.
Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education – Darren Millar AM – said the “alarming” figures exposed “persistent problems at schools in some parts of Wales.
Rhondda Cynon Taff council, for example, made up a third of all call-outs over the period between 2011/12 and 2015/16; with 746 instances – including 248 cases of rat or rodent infestation.
There were also call-outs at one Rhondda school for cockroaches, and others elsewhere in Wales after snakes were discovered.
The figures were obtained in an FOI by Assembly Member for Clwyd West, Darren Millar.
Each local authority received the same request under the Freedom of Information Act:
How many pest control incidents were there in schools in the local authority in each of the last five years?
Key findings:
- 2,488 instances across Wales in the last 5 years
- 2015/16 – 532 (down by 18% from 651 in 2014/15)
- RCT by far the highest instances:
- 746 over 5 years (inc 248 instances of rat infestation)
- Compare that to Newport, where just 14 instances were reported over 5 years.
- Other notable councils:
- Swansea (272), Anglesey (267 cases), Wrexham (267)
- There was also one instance of cockroaches in RCT, and several of snakes in Monmouthshire
Commenting on the figures Clwyd West AM, Darren Millar, said:
“These are alarming figures which expose persistent problems at schools in some parts of Wales.
“Rodent and insect infestations can pose serious health risks to school staff and pupils and we need determined action from local education authorities to address these.
“Litter, fly-tipping and inappropriate food waste management contribute to these sorts of problems so councils should look at their waste collection methods in particular to ensure that they are helping to address the issue.”