Plague of the bin pests: Rise in rats, mice, wasps and squirrels as rubbish collections go fortnightly

In fact the number of pests plaguing homeowners has gone up by more than a fifth in a mere three years, a survey has found.

And if you smell a rat, that's hardly surprising. The rise in unwanted visitors coincides rather neatly with the introduction of fortnightly rubbish collections in half the country.

Rats scavenge around a bin: Reports of rodents around houses have risen 12 per cent

According to the survey, household reports of wasps have risen by 39 per cent, squirrels by 23 per cent, mice by 17 per cent and rats by 12 per cent.

More than one in five householders who has had to resort to piling rubbish next to their overflowing wheelie bins said foxes had then rifled through it.

The findings were dismissed by local councils, which claimed they should be taken with 'a large dollop of salt'.

But they echo reports provided by professional pest control organisations.

They also follow research produced by Government analysts which found that fortnightly collections can have a 'significant' impact on rat and insect infestations.

The survey of 1,000 homeowners, carried out for the esure insurance company, reported a 23 per cent increase in sightings of pests and vermin since 2005.

Four out of five of those polled had spotted a rat or mouse within five yards of their house.

Overflowing: Wheelie bins in Liverpool

Many of the 169 councils that have abandoned weekly rubbish collections for compulsory recycling and fortnightly pickups of nonrecycled refuse have done so since 2005.

The survey found 37 per cent of householders had forgotten to put out their rubbish for collection.

That meant it could sometimes fester outside the house for up to a month.

More than half of those polled who had fortnightly bin pickups – 52 per cent – said they were angry at the cutback to their rubbish collections.

'Pests are not only annoying, but infestations can cause damage to the home and in more serious cases, spread disease,' said a spokesman for esure.

'During the wet, warm summer months, it is especially important to make sure that all rubbish is regularly disposed of to deter pests.'

The Local Government Association, the umbrella body for councils, was sceptical about the survey.

A spokesman said: 'Government commissioned independent research found that health impacts are likely to be no greater than those associated with weekly collections.

'Commonsense measures, such as keeping waste tightly wrapped and bin lids closed, can help to deal with any problems.'

Waste Minister Joan Ruddock said: 'Local authorities are advised that alternate bin collection should only be introduced where rigid bins are in use.

'There are no pests I know of that can chew through a rigid bin, or lift its lid.'