RESIDENTS are being reminded of simple steps they can follow to stop Southend's award-winning parks being plagued by rats and other vermin this winter.

Earlier this year, a number of rats were spotted at Priory Park, in Southend, and residents claimed the large rats were even spotted scurrying around the play area at the park.

Southend Council does not employ any rat catchers and has urged residents not to consider catching the rats themselves, however it has asked them to follow several simply and easy steps.

Here is how you can help:

  • Anyone feeding ducks in parks, avoid using bread and instead use sweetcorn, peas or shredded lettuce. Not only are these food sources much preferred by ducks they are also better for their digestion. Bread tends to be discarded and this creates a food source for rats, who typically leave their nest at night to look for food.
  • Put all rubbish and uneaten food in the bins provided. If rubbish is left behind rats can easily rip open plastic bags or packaging to look for food and this will only encourage more rats to live in the parks.

Meg Davidson, deputy leader and councillor responsible for the environment, said: “I’m so proud of our award-winning parks and thank our parks team for the daily work they do to make sure they are pleasant places to visit.

“Feeding the ducks is such a lovely way to help people of all ages connect with nature, so I hope the guidance provided is helpful.

"Thank you to everyone that disposes of their rubbish responsibly, this really does help to ensure our parks do not become a food source for animals we do not wish to attract.”

In the past, and as a last resort, the council has used secure bait boxes designed for rats have been used, but this is very rare.

The council insisted location of the boxes is carefully considered, so pet owners need not worry about their pets ingesting the poison.

A spokesman for the council added: "Rats are attracted by food and the council removes any potential food sources from parks by using control measures such as habitat management and litter picking.

"In the main, pest numbers such as rats are kept down by natural causes including falling prey to larger predators such as foxes."