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Pest control

We have expanded the rodent control across the development by tripling the number of bait stations. They are strategically placed and since they are enclosed, are generally of no harm to household pets. However, the stations are designed to allow rats and mice to enter therefore it is conceivable that very small pets could attempt to retrieve the bait and consequently be poisoned. Therefore owners with small pets that may want to ensure that they are not free to venture into the common areas.

17 replies on “Pest control”

Our cat was poisoned and died in August. It was only after numerous emails from my husband and I to Sandyport Management that the original note was posted in the first place!! We were extremely concerned that the same thing would happen to another pet, even worse a child, and urged Sandyport to change their methods of pest control.

At least we wanted to make other residents aware of the poison that was being placed around the community although it seems that even that has not been done to the well by indicating exactly where all the bait stations are.

Four months later the problem has STILL not been resolved and our worst fear of this happening to other pets has been realized which is most upsetting and more importantly infuriating as this COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.

Reading this thread some very important concerns have arisen:

– if Stuckhum does not use the blue pellets why are blue pellets still found around the traps at the garbage areas? If residents want to place poison on their own property that is one thing ,but around public areas should be prohibited.

– twice monthly monitoring of bait stations is not sufficient

Sarah Kennedy
Gregory Michelier

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Thank you very much for your feed-back. To complete the information, we ask that you please advise where all the bait traps are located. While it is a matter of common sense to assume that the traps will be placed at the garbage colection points, an earlier notification from the administrator (October 28th) mentions 44 locations. If residents are to do their part to help keep their children and pets away from the traps, they must be given the necessary “tools” – i.e. a complete list of locations around the Sandyport estate, including the Old Town area, of where the traps have been placed.
We trust that Struckum will maintain their traps responsibly and ensure that they remain fastened permanently to ??? in such a way that they are not easily dislodged by children playing, or the gardeners or garbage collection crew.

Sabine Steffen-Robinson
32, Governor’s Cay

There will soon be a new notice posted to the site heightening awareness for our residents. We do appreciate your involvement – it helps to make Sandyport a better community.

I am in complete sympathy with and support of the views expressed by Miss Kelley. It is, of course, deeply regrettable that she and her dog should have had to go through this appalling experience, all the more so because it was potentially avoidable. Unfortunately, it gives me no satisfaction to refer to my message of 28 October – “It is to be hoped that an illness or death, human or animal, does not occur whilst these deliberations take place…..”. Well, it did and I hope those responsible have both clear answers and clear consciences. You should also be aware that there are wholly credible first hand reports of a mother finding her child playing with what could well have been a pellet of rat poison on Sandyport Drive, thinking it was a BB gun pellet – same size and colour. In view of what Miss Kelley reports, it is easy to see how it could have got there. I invite you to think through the potential consequences of that situation.
I understand that the reason no warning signs have been put in place is due to a fear (or perceived fear) on the part of the Board of Directors that such notices may detract from the image and reputation of Sandyport. Are the near deaths of several animals any the less damaging to the reputation? Rest assured that it is a matter of common knowledge within such small community that this is happening. To have a problem with vermin on this island is not a matter of shame. Not dealing with it properly and humanely may be.
I suggest that two suppositions are understood: 1) that rats must be dealt with and 2) that this must be done effectively, safely and humanely. We should move forward on those bases. The Board has recently shown an ability to act robustly on a variety of issues – I refer to the postings on 23 November. Equally robust action can start to tackle the rat problem.
1 One can make a start with one of the major causes of infestation, garbage. Whilst it will be impossible to eliminate all access to the garbage by rats, substantial inroads would be made by requiring residents to use proper bins and stop dumping trash outside their homes. The very good work being done to improve gardens and common parts is not enhanced by trash bags dumped at the roadside, often split open by the rats and other creatures. The quality and quantity of the bins at the refuse stations can also be improved. The already announced enforcement of Restrictive Covenant 24 as it relates to trash on empty and construction lots will also help.
2 The gardening and the garbage crew need to be briefed – and monitored – as to how to correctly handle the traps. Are these traps somehow secured to the ground? Can they be dislodged or moved when gardeners mow or the garbage team accidentally kicks them? Can bait pellets fall out if the trap is picked up in the wrong way?
3 Miss Kelley rightly raises concerns about the quality of the work being carried out by Strukum. This needs to be reviewed. The device in use on Sandyport Drive (at least until a couple of days ago) bore no resemblance to that shown on the hyperlinked site in your message of 28th October. Furthermore, it was in an advanced state of disrepair. If you have not seen Miss Kelley’s photographs, you should. How did the pest control company allow this to happen? We are not dealing with an innocuous ice machine or water dispenser; this stuff is designed to kill, apparently indiscriminately, and there is no room for slackness or complacency. It is also wholly irresponsible for a pest control agent to be throwing a trap containing bait, into an open trash can. Have you ever watched how trash cans are emptied into the trash truck and how often some of it misses its mark? Strukum should not be throwing old traps into the Sandyport garbage cans but disposing of the potentially lethal stuff on their own premises.
4 There are alternative poisons available. In view of the recent events, it is incumbent on SHA to investigate these as a matter of urgency and to implement any suitable alternatives. None of this is difficult or costly, especially in view of the known consequences of failing to follow up.
5 Given that the rat problem needs to be dealt with, I am sure responsible parents and pet owners would also accept that they should take reasonable precautions. However, they cannot do this when they do not know where the traps are. The current advice that they are “located predominantly around garbage areas” is inadequate. One might expect them around garbage stations; it is likely to be those in unexpected areas that will cause most danger. Accordingly, the question of warning notices needs to be addressed immediately. Discreet flags, such as are already used for lawn pesticides, would suffice, as long as people know what they mean. A full description of the bait traps, how they should be fastened in place and how they are supposed to work, should be given on the website and this includes description of the bait itself. The current link to the RBS EZ Klean rodent station is sparse in information and concentrates on telling users that the stations are cost effective and easy to clean. The FAQs are useless. How can parents warn their children to stay away from the traps and more importantly, the bait, when nobody knows what the stuff looks like?

SHA is on full notice of this problem, the dangers it creates and the consequences. I respectfully suggest that it pays close heed to its legal obligations to residents when considering what further steps to take.

Before we arrive at any conclusions, a thorough review is being carried out – including permitting Struckum the opportunity to provide a response to the points raised. Note that the former pest control company had left their bait stations in situ and had agreed to remove them, since they remain their property. It is agreed that many of them are in a state of disrepair. The bait stations presently in use are as described and referred to previously; they are serviced twice monthly. Our maintenance crew will have the old bait stations removed and disposed of this week – we have already given the former pest control company sufficient time to remove their property. The further question – of greater concern – is how has poison has been found outside of the active bait stations? It has been assumed that Struckum are responsible; we will investigate and deal with it accordingly. We cannot rule out the possibility that some residents have decided to lay poison down. A full response will be posted here once we have completed our investigations.

We have been using bait stations that are securely fasten with the liquid nails to the base although some have been dislodged and are presently being affixed permanently. Struckum do not use the blue pellets that have been seen at the locations; instead they use poison blocks which are secured inside the bait station on a spike – a rat would have to search for it in order to ingest. We are continuing with our pest control program and we will be taking measures to stop offending parties from placing loose poison on common area property. Struckum will continually monitor all bait stations and ensure that the property has none of the old bait stations left from the prior pest company. We would like to continue to ensure that the needs of the homeowners are satisfied.

Sir,

I just posted this in the “report a concern” section.

The Struckum person dumped the poison in an open trash can.

I directly asked him about and he lied to me about it then took the poison out the trash can and put it in a plastic bag in the back of his truck where he drove to the next set of trash cans.

I know that we as pet owners and parents bare the burden of safety for our pets and children, all I am requesting is that we are met at least half way.

There has to be an alternative besides the toxic poison that is currently being used.

I am telling you that poison is a horrible way to die and a horrible thing to ingest, and if not treated quiet quickly will kill more animals and maybe even a child.

I do appreciate you having Stuckum come out but he has no invested interest in this neighborhood, that is why he has no issue with throwing rat poison in the trash can.

I have seen the Stuckum truck in the neighborhood prior to today and I have seen them stop at this very same trap. The same trap that did not have a lid secured properly. I am not sure they are doing what they are being paid to do. Who is in charge of following up with this company that I am sure is funded by the HOA? The same dues that tenants, owners, and renters are required to pay.

I suggest we stop the contract with Struckum as it appears they are incapable of doing a proper job, remove all the rat traps and poison and use the non-toxic option. I really do not see this issue being resolved or getting better if the current process continues to be used.

Once again thank you for your support and response.

On 23NOV at 3:20pm, I watched Merci (the mother potcake I rescued in March of this year) almost die. By 4:16pm we were at the vet. From the time she first vomitted and soiled herself she was unable to move, her eyes were loosing color, she had labored breathing, and I did not think she was going to make it. By 4:45pm she had passed large amounts of blood from her rectum and she was still not able to stand or even lift her head. By 5:20pm she was stable. Do the math….2 hours of excurating pain because of RAT POISON! Something could have been prevented and something that should have never happened and should never happen to another animal.

I went to check on her yesterday at 8:00am and she was hanging in there. I go today at noon to check on her again.

Now, as I read the website the post from admin showing a picture of the rat trap I can tell you that is a lie. I have pictures from 8 minutes ago of the rat trap that is right across from my house that is not secure and it has poison in it. The lid was not on properly and the screw that is supposed to hold the lid closed is missing.

You all have seen me walking my three potcakes. They do NOT go near the trash cans. Then tell me how Merci was posioned. Did a rat take the blue bait from the trap and drop it along the road? Are residents throwing out rat poison? Would someone so cruely and intentionally give it to her?

No matter how it happened, it happened!

What does it take HOA for you to change the method in which you have chosen to posion the rats, dogs, cats, and possibly the children of this neighborhood? Does it take a child getting posioned and almost dying? I surely hope not. Sara lost one of her cats. Tracy had her dog in the vet for over three weeks and almost lost her. Now I too am a victim.

There are products on the market that rid rats and it is non-toxic. I suggest those types of products be purchased and used. Educate those who are paying your salary. Protect the children and animals of this neighborhood. And lastly, if you post that you have new, improved and safer traps then use them and mark their location. Currently, there are still the old traps with lids not secured and poison out in the open here in the neighborhood today! (I have pictures as proof!)

Mrs. Kelley,
Thank you once again for your concerns. The pest Company are on their way here now to replace the bait station. Thank you

Residents should be mindful of the existence of the bait stations, which are located predominantly around garbage areas, and discourage their children and pets from tampering with them.

If there are 44 of these “stations”, then the situation is even more disturbing, as most people would expect to encounter the poison at the garbage pick up points. Are you seriously telling residents that this is Board decision and not a mtter of urgent day to day management? It is to be hoped that an illness or death, human or animal, does not occur whilst these deliberations take place – then you can have another interesting debate as to whose fault it was.

In our immediate circle of Sandyport friends 2 dogs have very recently become life-threateningly ill, and in both cases the vet has diagnosed probable rat poisoning. Both families have small children.

With the number of children playing all over Sandyport, and the number of pets that are taken for walks, the very least that must be done as an interim measure is for prominent warning signs to be posted wherever these poison traps have been laid.

Mrs. Kennedy’s concerns of Sept. 9th seem to be borne out. Can you advise the result of your discussions with the pest control company as per your comment of Sept. 16th – some 5 weeks ago.It would appear that something is going very badly wrong and the method of rat erradication still being used now, is not the right method for an environment such as Sandyport.

Sabine Steffen-Robinson,
32 Governor’s Cay.

The bait stations by the garbage areas, you can clearly see the blue poison pellets at the front of the container which are not INSIDE the box, making the poison accessible to household pets and more importantly children.

The pest control company which is responsible for other communities such as Lyford Cay Ocean Club Estates and all of the Kerzner development uses this type of station where the rodenticides are placed on skewers in a hard, locked plastic container.
http://www.belllabs.com/product_details/1205

The method of poison not on a skewer are only supposed to
be used in an indoor environment i.e. a warehouse or an electrical room, as
part of a greater rodent control program. Using these boxes you are not able to properly
secure the rodenticide the box can be disturbed by a larger animal or small child- currently a rock is placed on them !!

I would urge you to please reconsider your form of pest control immediately to provide a safer and more effective solution for the community.

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