Overgrown gardens

Overgrown or untidy gardens are not a public health issue.

Rats

Rats are attracted to decaying waste, food, or soft furnishings. Rats are extremely common but require food, water and shelter to survive.

If you regularly spot rodents in your garden:

Check and block holes in any sheds
Stop feeding birds and stop composting (use our garden waste collection service)
Do not compost food waste-use our food waste collection service

If you report a neighbouring overgrown garden as the source of rats, we require either:

A pest control report or
Your reference number if using the Council’s service Pest Control Treatment Request – My Rother

We will then investigate and take appropriate action where suitable.

Foxes are not considered a public health risk.

Vegetation from neighbouring land that damages property or overhangs a boundary is not a public health matter.

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