Britain set for rat-infested chaos with large rise in exercise as ‘each metropolis at warfare’
Brits could have to deal with more rat sightings as rodent activity is on the rise, according to a new study – pest controllers said their had been a big jump in sightings
Rat activity is on the rise in Britain, according to the latest statistics.
Pest controllers say there was a 31% jump in sightings of the rodents in the last three months of 2024 compared to July to September. Mouse activity also rose by 32%, according to bosses at Rentokil.
The increase in activity is normal during the colder months, when the pests move indoors or closer to buildings searching for food, warmth and shelter. But the rise comes amid warnings that the number of rats globally is soaring.
In a recent study, 11 of the 16 cities looked at, including New York and Washington DC, showed “significant increasing trends in rat numbers”. Experts say this is because as global temperatures warm, rats can breed and forage for more of the year.
Jonathan Richardson, of the University of Richmond in Virginia, who is the lead author of the study, said: “There’d be no reason to expect it to be different in other places, adding “pretty much every city announces that they have a war on rats”.
The study published in the journal Science Advances did not provide a breakdown in population increases for each city.
Jonathan said the surge in rat numbers in these cities was “the gloomiest outcome” of the study, which looked at data from 16 cities taken over a period of around 12 years.
While researchers did not have the data to assess any increase of rats in London, these latest stats suggest the problem could be even more far-reaching on UK shores.
The unwanted visitors cause billions of pounds of damage every year, as they can wreck infrastructure, contaminate food and start fires by gnawing through wires.
They also carry pathogens that can infect humans and pets, including Salmonella bacteria.
Pest controllers recommend making your homes less rat-friendly by sealing all gaps and cracks and making sure food and rubbish are stored securely.
Trimming back bushes and plants and avoiding adding food to your compost heap will also stop rats from coming into your garden, according to Rentokil.
Paul Blackhurst, from Rentokil Pest Control, said: “Rats and mice are often confused due to their similar appearance.
“But how they gain entry to buildings differs, meaning it’s important to identify which rodent you’re dealing with to determine the most effective way to tackle the problem.
“House mice are smaller and have an extraordinary ability to squeeze through small openings.
“Rats, on the other hand, are generally larger with thick, hairless tails and rely on well-established routes, typically along skirting boards and walls, due to their poor eyesight.”
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