Major warning for people as popular Irish beach plagued by huge RATS & poisoning alert issued amid rodent clean-up op
BEACH BUMMER Major warning for people as popular Irish beach plagued by huge RATS & poisoning alert issued amid rodent clean-up op
IRISH beachgoers are being warned to take care as a major cleaning operation takes place at a beach that has been plagued by a rodent infestation.
Millisle Beach in Co Down is loved by locals and visitors alike, but a recent rodent infestation has meant the beloved spot is out of bounds for a lot of locals.
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Poison bait will be used on the site to target known burrows on the Millisle Beach
Credit: Alamy
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The council is dealing with the rodent infestation on the beach
Credit: Getty
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Efforts to improve the general surroundings have been picked up by the local community.
Speaking to Belfast Telegraph, Deborah Mann previously said she was prompted by her husband to post a notice on Facebook to organise a community clear-up.
She told Belfast Telegraph: "It was actually my husband Gary Mann to prompted this, he has been litter picking for a long time.
"The support he got was unbelievable. A lot of the other residents came to help, there must have been nearly 100 bags cleared.
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'The beach is now infested with rats. Council kept saying it is not allowed to be touched because it is an environmental issue."
The Ards and North Down Borough Council has now confirmed that it will undertake a major operation in the hopes of ridding it of rodents.
Poison bait will be put down in the area to deal with the "growth in the rodent population" at the beach.
The council took to Facebook to give an urgent warning to any people planning a trip to Millisle Beach.
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The public has been warned to stay safe as a major pest control operation was launched today at the popular spot.
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In a statement on Facebook the council said: "Millisle Beach: Pest Control Measures from Thursday 21 August 2025.
"Following growth in the rodent population at Millisle Beach, a pest control programme will begin on Thursday 21 August and run for 2-3 weeks.
"Poison bait will be used on the site to target known burrows."
The council also said that signage will be in place to advise beach users.
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Council officers will be visiting the site over the coming days to engage with beach users and give advice.
KEEP KIDS & PETS AWAY
And they urged beachgoers to keep all pets on leads and to supervise children at all times while the clean-up operation is underway.
They added: "Please keep all pets on leads / under strict control at all times, on all parts of beach.
"Children should be supervised at all times. Please take any food waste away with you.
"Do not feed the birds as this is also feeding the rats.
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"In case of accidental poisoning, contact Emergency Department as soon as possible. For pets, contact your vet.
In order for us to arrange appropriate disposal, please report sightings of any dead rats to: env.health@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk. Please provide as much location detail as possible."
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