30m more rats in UK because of lockdown
BRITAIN’S rat population has risen by 30 million during lockdown after empty pubs and restaurants were used as sites to nest and shelter.
Experts estimate there are now 150 million of the rodents, around 2.2 for every person in the country.
With so many workers now operating from home and shops, pubs and restaurants closed for long periods, the empty premises are giving the creatures more opportunity to find new places to shelter and breed.
They only need a small hole in order to gain access while continuing to feed off scraps from rubbish bins and other areas, particularly in towns and cities, where food is not disposed of carefully.
Jenny Rathbone, of industry experts Pest.co.uk, said: “They say you are only ever 6ft away from a rat – and in typical 2020 fashion, it’s now more likely than ever this year.”
Pest controllers have received around 25 per cent more callouts to deal with rats this year compared to last year.
Ms Rathbone added: “We are seeing a huge increase in rat problems as lockdown has really helped them breed in relative peace with closed shops and poor waste management practices providing them with plentiful food and shelter.”
Rats can breed remarkably quickly and have up to six litters a year with between six and 12 pups in a litter and those youngsters being able to breed within a year.
Deserted city centres are bearing the brunt of the rodent epidemic. A nest of rats was discovered last week in a statue, yards away from City Hall in Birmingham and in the centre of a usually busy shopping area.
Not surprisingly, London has the big
gest rat population, estimated at 20 mill i on, f oll owed by 2.4 million in Birmingham, 1.7 million in Leeds and 1.3 million in Glasgow.
Ms Rathbone added: “The problem we have right now is that rats are trying to bed down for winter, and this will happen when we get a few cold snaps.”
Advice to both office managers and homeowners is to fill any gaps in brickwork and holes under shed doors, empty unused cupboards of old clothes and bags and keep the spaces clean, tidy away any foods and clear away crumbs and leave traps out.