Edinburgh’s rat infestation: The city’s 17 council areas ranked in order of pest control callouts

A freedom of information request has revealed the council’s pest control team was called out 4,788 times last year - the equivalent of 13 times a day - to tackle vermin from rats to cockroaches. And one private pest controller in the city even claims rat callouts have surged by 20 per cent over this period - but the local authority disagrees. Here is a breakdown of the number of pest control requests made to the local authority in 2018 by ward area.

108 pest control requests received. Pictured is Oxgangs. Pic: Ian Georgeson

125 pest control requests made. Pictures is the Gyle Shopping Centre in Edinburgh. Pic: Lisa Ferguson.

132 pest control requests made. Pictured is a welcome to Corstorphine sign. Pic: Ian Georgeson

137 pest control requests made. This is a densely populated area and is relatively low down on the list. Pictured is Leith Walk itself. Pic: Ian Rutherford

141 pest control requests were made to the local authority. Pictures is the Union Canal at Fountainbridge in December last year.

171 pest control requests were made. Pictures is an overflowing bin in the Meadows areas during the Edinburgh International Festival 2018. Pic: Scott Louden