Exterminators were called to more than 1,000 cases of unwanted pests in North Somerset last year, new figures have revealed.

North Somerset Council’s pest control unit was called out to a total of 1,284 cases of unwanted critters, which had infested homes and businesses in 2013-2014.

More than 700 rats, 100 mice, 250 wasps and a number of bedbugs, ants and cockroaches were dealt with in the 12-month period.

The number of people needing the help of the authority’s exterminators has gone up slightly, with 12 additional call outs in 2013-2014, compared with 12 months previously.

But the number of call-outs has reduced dramatically since 2011-2012, when about 2,000 calls were made.

The figures have been revealed in an annual survey carried out by the British Pest Control Association, which has seen a reduction in the number of pest control services being offered by local authorities free of charge.

North Somerset Council has always charged for its pest control services, excluding rats, for which a charge was introduced in 2010.

A council spokesman said: “If people contact our environmental protection team, it offers advice on how to deal with the problem and provide treatment if necessary.”