"It's like an all you can eat buffet for rats." Birmingham pest controller warns of risks of mounting rubbish
Stuart Bloomfield says rising numbers of vermin are causing serious public health concerns
As rubbish continues to pile up across Birmingham as bin workers enter week three of indefinite strike action, we're being warned of the dangers of vermin.
It's as a dispute between Unite the Union and Birmingham City Council over pay and conditions continues - although we've been told talks are expected to take place on Thursday.
Stuart Bloomfield's a pest controller in Birmingham.
He told us why the problem will get worse as the weather gets warmer.
"Now it's started to warm up the smells are becoming particularly horrendous.
"You've got the risk of salmonella that comes from raw or rotting food that's been thrown out - the heat essentially starts cooking it and the smell is not very nice at all," he says.
"And then you can get airborne pathogens and things like that."
He said there are further risks to public health.
"The main two diseases we talk about are Weils disease and Hantavirus, which are pathogens passed through urine or droppings.
"Once they become dry or airborne they can be passed through open wounds or inhaled, so it's not a good situation."
Stuart also told us the growing amount of waste is making his job unmanageable.
"Rats are only interested in the food waste.
"We're attending call outs but while there's such a huge amount of food around, our control measures are not as effective as we'd like them to be.
"It's just becoming increasingly difficult to get on top of the issue."
Birmingham City Council said:
“This escalation of industrial action will mean greater disruption to residents - despite the fair and reasonable offer that the council made to Unite the Union.
"To the small number of workers whose wages are impacted ongoing by the changes to the service (of whom there are now only 40) we have already offered alternatives, including highly valuable LGV Driver Training for career progression and pay, and other roles in the council equivalent to their former roles. No worker will lose the sums Unite are claiming.
"Residents of Birmingham want and deserve a better waste collection service and the restructure that Unite is opposing is part of the much-needed transformation of the service.
"Our door is still open, and we would encourage Unite to come back to the table.
“We thank residents for their continued understanding and patience so far and will continue to provide up-to-date information about our plans during the industrial action.”
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