Pest controllers have been in a running battle with rodents at Áras an Uachtaráin with mice or rats spotted in kitchens, stores, a breakfast room, henhouses, and the President’s private drawing room An Grianán.
A series of reports from the Office of Public Works (OPW) detail how the Áras was forced to call in exterminators on an almost monthly basis over the past year.
In October last year, pest controllers were needed after rodent activity was detected at both a potato shed and in the Grianán room within the residence.
The following month, there was evidence of rodents in a staff canteen in the main house with a recommendation for a “two-part treatment to achieve riddance”.
Later that month, there was further pest activity with small creatures suspected in the onion and potato shed, the henhouses, and in a greenhouse.
A report said: “Six additional bait stations are required – two for the onion stores and four for the henhouses.”
That was not the end of the incursions, however, with a “rodent riddance” report filed in January after something was spotted in the Áras breakfast room.
When February came, there was yet another four-legged invasion – this time in a work yard on the grounds of the President’s residence.
“There are no external bait stations in this yard, and we are recommending the installation of three stations,” said a quotation from pest controllers.
By March, the rodents were on the move once again and were discovered to be active in a basement storage area, according to records released by the Office of Public Works.
There was a lull in pest activity then until July when rodents were once again suspected at a vegetable garden.
In October, the pests were believed to be back inside the house with another “two part treatment” recommended after an inspection of kitchens.
It wasn’t only mice and rats in the Áras however, with pest controllers also asked to deal with a wasps nest, an ant infestation, and pigeons who were making a mess.
A quotation for that last work listed: “Remove pigeon guano from underside of portico including light fittings, column heads, transformers etc. [Then] apply up to eighteen metres of … anti-perching spikes.”
A separate set of reports from the nearby state B&B Farmleigh House detail similar but less regular issues with pest activity in the Phoenix Park property.
One report from February said that a CCTV survey of the drain network might be needed to detect how rodents were moving about on the estate.
Pest controllers also had to be particularly careful in their work to ensure that any “toxic baiting strategy” would not impact on other non-target species that might be roaming around the grounds of Farmleigh.
There was also a fly infestation that had to be dealt with, according to the records.
An inspection report said: “Insecticidal treatment was completed on this visit.
Environmental risk assessment was carried out, The client was informed that during the treatment and two hours later, the treated area needs to be vacated.”
The OPW said around €11,000 had been spent on pest control at the two properties last year, with around two-thirds of that bill relating to the President’s residence.
Asked about the issues encountered at both the Áras and at Farmleigh House, the OPW said they had nothing further to add to the records they released.
