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Hospital calls pest control 80 times for infestations of rats, mice, ants, woodlice and wasps

Rodent droppings were found in an X-ray unit at University Hospital Waterford, while mice were spotted on the gynaecology ward on two occasions

[Rodents were rummaging through biomedical waste bins at the hospital]

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Rodents were rummaging through biomedical waste bins at the hospital (stock image)

Pest controllers have been called to University Hospital Waterford (UHW) 80 times in the past three years in response to infestations of rats, mice, ants, woodlice, and wasps.

Rodent droppings were found in an X-ray unit, and an ant nest was discovered in a toilet of the chronic dialysis unit, while mice were spotted in the gynaecology ward on two occasions.

Rodents were also rummaging through biomedical waste bins at the hospital, and a mouse was found floating in a bucket of chlorine in the radiology department, according to inspection reports.

On one occasion, a brazen shrew came in through the main door and made its way to the Beech Ward before eventually leaving the premises, while a mouse was spotted under the front counter of a caf in May 2023.

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The following month, pest controllers were called to the Dunmore Wing of the hospital, which provides hospice care, but found that the problem had already been solved by the time they arrived.

Mouse was killed and removed by cleaning staff, reported a company representative, noting that the rodent had likely entered the building due to doors and windows being left open during hot weather.

Ants were a particular problem during spring, when pest controllers were called out twice in one day to deal with infestations in the cardiac department, where insects had been spotted in the reception area and the stress room.

[University Hospital Waterford]

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University Hospital Waterford(Image: Google Maps)

They were summoned again the following day after ants appeared in the kitchen area of a cafe, while they also popped up in the paediatric department, psychiatric unit, and a pantry in the outpatients department.

Last year, hospital staff also reported an urgent woodlouse infestation, as well as an issue with red spider mites, cluster flies, and a swarm of bees outside the main entrance.

The dead mouse that was found floating in a bucket of chlorine in November 2022 was subsequently incinerated, according to the reports, but there was to be a happier end for a mouse that encountered a benevolent pest controller in the old school of nursing at UHW during the same year.

After being called to the hospital, the controller discovered one mouse dead but managed to capture another one alive, and later released it, they noted in their inspection report.

An infestation of rodents in a kitchen was traced to a temporarily toilet that had been set up for builders outside, which the pest control company said had provided access to sewers and places to hide.

The records were obtained by the Irish Mirror under the Freedom of Information Act.

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