RATS RUN AMOK
Britain’s being swamped with sex-mad vermin
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ASTRONAUTS Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley have been greeted on to the International Space Station.
The pair took 19 hours to arrive aboard the Spacex rocket following its launch from Florida. Hurley said: “It’s been a real honour to be just a small part of this nine-year endeavour since the last time a United States spaceship has docked with the ISS.”
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The inaugural mission by Elon Musk’s firm is the first time the US has launched its astronauts since the space shuttles were retired in 2011.
BRITAIN is being overrun with sex-mad rats as sightings hit record levels this spring.
Pest control experts have been swamped with an unprecedented number of callouts with rodents running amok in overflowing rubbish bins and empty offices.
Rentokil saw a 79% increase in online visits to its site from worried residents in April compared to the same month in 2019.
And Paul Blackhurst from the firm had a grim warning for householders.
He said the warm winter has produced ideal breeding conditions – and just two rats can multiply to a terrifying 500million rodents in only three years.
Warm
He said: “Unoccupied office buildings across the country could be providing rodents with an opportunity to breed.
“This, combined with the fact that fewer rodents will have died off in this winter, which was the warmest European winter on record, means populations could multiply very quickly. Rats have a gestation period of 21 to 23 days and will have five to 10 pups per litter.
“So two rats can multiply to almost 500million rodents in just three years if breeding conditions remain ideal.”
The pests are also taking advantage of people being at home during the lockdown by feasting on rubbish festering in bins.
Mr Blackhurst added: “The rise in rodent activity in people’s homes could be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the total rodent population. It’s advisable that commercial premises take measures to prevent pests from taking up residence in facilities.
“Once rodents gain access to premises they can be difficult to control.”