British councils nix rat removal services

LONDON, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- British pest control experts said recent cuts to public rat removal services could put low-income households at risk for vermin-spread diseases.

The British Pest Control Association said the households could be at risk if they can't afford professional pest control and they live in one of the 28 areas where local councils have axed pest control departments during the next two years, The Sun reported Monday.

"Many people who can't afford pest control need to find some sort of support. They're often the ones who have the worst pest problems," BPCA chief executive Simon Forrester said. "We're looking at the transfer of disease through rats coming up through sewers and into people's houses."