Published: Friday, 12th March, 2010 12:44pm

Schools plagued by pests

PEST control companies are being run off their feet in a bid to keep plagued Border schools vermin free.

Reports of rats, mice and wasps are on the rise in classrooms across the region.

Statistics released under the Freedom of Information act show extermination experts have visited the region's schools an incredible 184 times in the past two years.

Everything from rats to slugs and silverfish have been found in the schools - with moles, wasps and ants also making unwelcome appearances.

Caddonfoot Primary in Clovenfords had the highest number incidents in the Tweeddale area, with pest control experts visiting the school six times between November 2007 and June 2009 to deal with rats, mice and wasps.

Peebles High School reported four infestations of rats, mice, wasps and ants. St. Ronan's Primary School in Innerleithen also made four complaints, again citing ants, mice and wasps as the culprits.

Across Scotland, Edinburgh took the record for the most complaints with 683 pest control visits made, but Dundee was also singled out for criticism after a corn snake was found slithering across a classroom in the city's Downfield Primary.

Des McNulty, Labour spokesperson for education, who requested the information, said: "There is simply no excuse for this. It is totally unacceptable that our children's schools are infested with rats, mice and even snakes.

"Children go to school to learn and the Scottish government has a duty to ensure that they are taught in clean and well-maintained modern buildings."

Dave Romanis, Property Manager for Scottish Borders Council, said: "We have a robust reporting procedure in place if there are any problems in any of our properties - including schools.

"The Borders being a very rural area, it is not unusual to hear reports of mice, rats or wasps nests in and around our properties, just as Borders householders will experience.

"We react very quickly to any such reports and pest control experts deal with any situation quickly. The health and well-being of our pupils, teachers and council employees is always paramount.

"I would add that we do not consider vermin in schools to be a particular problem in the Borders. These are just a series of isolated incidents which are quickly cleared up."