Jan 18, 2010, 15:56 PM by User Not Found

As Northern Ireland emerges from its sub-zero temperatures, two populations appear not to have fared so well in the big freeze.

An apparent absence of house mice and rats has had a knock-on effect at Belfast City Council.

The council's pest control department has said there has been a decrease in calls over mice and rat problems during December.

The council says calls over rat problems were down in December

The Council's Pest Control Manager, Earl d'Hulst, said both populations may have been hit by a combination of the severe cold and lack of food in some of their habitats including sheds and garages.

The council provides a pest control service to both domestic and commercial rate payers. The council area takes in about 160,000 domestic properties.

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