THE number of rats in Swindon is thought to be at one of the highest levels ever following last year's mild winter.

Pest control companies have said this summer has been the busiest they can remember and the usual seasonal decline has failed to materialise.

As a result, the number of call-outs to residential and commercial properties has remained high.

“This has easily been the busiest summer that I have experienced,” said Justin Holloway, of Prokill.

“You would normally expect there to be a decline going from the winter into the summer but this year there has been no reduction. The number of calls I have had has not gone down.

“During the winter shelter is obviously very important so the rats look to head indoors. Someone’s loft is more attractive than the sewer.

“But because it didn’t really get too cold the numbers outside didn’t fall.”

The design of many of the residential properties in the town centre helps create a favourable environment for the pests.

Justin said: “There are lots of houses which were built around the turn of the century and these are often the most vulnerable.

“It only takes one of them to have a structural issue and everyone can be affected.

"There is also a constant food supply.”

Last month the council stopped its pest control service due to the number private providers.

It was felt that because only one person was employed by the council and there were so many private providers it was not a god use of public money.

The news on rat numbers comes as housing charity Shelter released figures showing thousands of privately rented homes in the south west have had a vermin problem.

Justin says that in terms of the call-outs he receives there is no real difference and he goes to all types of properties but the charity has said it is important people know their rights.

Campbell Robb, Shelter’s chief executive, said: “It’s shocking that renters in the south west are stuck living in properties riddled with problems, often paying sky-high rents for the privilege.

“Imagine trying to raise a child in a home crawling with vermin or falling apart at the seams, with a rogue landlord who refuses to fix it and nowhere else to go because of there’s nothing else you can afford.

" It’s just not right."

“The Government must to do more to protect renters from the rogue landlords who let out these shoddy properties, so that every renter can feel safe in their own home.”

Anyone having problems with their landlord can get free expert advice from Shelter at shelter.org.uk/advice or by calling the helpline on 0808 800 4444.