Customer complaints of vermin to Eastern Health Authority nearly double in two years

Reports of vermin in eastern businesses have almost doubled over the past two years, with an industry expert blaming Covid-19 restrictions and a lack of regular inspections.

Reports of vermin in eastern businesses have almost doubled over the past two years, with an industry expert blaming Covid-19 restrictions and a lack of regular inspections.

The Eastern Health Authority document shows instances vermin including rats, mice, pigeons and insects have nearly doubled over the past two financial years at eastern businesses, with the agency’s annual report revealing that reports jumped from 65 to 119.

The EHA, a subsidiary of Campbelltown, Norwood, Payneham & St Peters, Prospect, Walkerville and Burnside councils, enforces public health and safety across the city’s eastern suburbs.

Pest Inspect Australia’s Chris Ansell said since Covid-19 had struck, he had noticed strong numbers of vermin in areas with a high number of eateries and other food service businesses, including the city’s East End.

Expert pest controller Chris Ansell said he had dealt with rodents more than any other vermin since Covid-19 became an issue in the state. Picture: File.

Mr Ansell, who has over 15 years in the pest control industry, said the most common vermin he had dealt with was rodents.

“Routine (pest control) services have been interrupted, missed or ceased and foot traffic has lessened making it safer for vermin to spread out,” Mr Ansell said.

“Regular food sources from restaurant bins and similar have also decreased making them search for food over greater distances.”

It follows an almost 40 per cent increase in rats, mice and other vermin complaints across Adelaide’s east from 2018/19 to 19/20, increasing from 65 to 88.

However, EHA chief executive Michel Livori said last September the “vast majority” of those complaints related to “domestic premises”.

Meanwhile, complaints relating to physical distancing dropped from 28 last year to 11.

The EHA has been contacted for further comment.

Originally published as Customer complaints of vermin to Eastern Health Authority nearly double in two years