Rat numbers have boomed in new cities as new data suggests they are immune to popular poisons that destroy vermin.
Since the Covid-19 outbreak, the UK’s rat population has increased 25%, according to pest exterminator Pest.co.uk.
150 million people are believed to wreak havoc where people live rather than work, they say.
With lockdown measures to close offices, shops and restaurants, rats have migrated from commercial areas in the city center to the most deprived inner-city residential communities.
Pest.co.uk says possible cuts to pest control services, as currently being discussed by councils, could hit the poorest hardest in 2021.
74% of UK rats have become immune to popular poisons
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Jenny Rathbone of Pest.co.uk said: “Lockdown poses a serious challenge to pest controllers, no more than where financial cuts and social distancing are hampering local government departments in their ability to control rat populations.
“This is not just a funding problem – the rat population is growing and the ability to control it by traditional means is decreasing as 74% of UK rats have been shown to have immunity to popular poisons.”
Even more worrying in some parts of the UK is that 20% of rats have two different genes, making them very resistant to chemical eradication.
Bridgend has seen a staggering 47% increase in rat problem reports since 2016.
Pest.co.uk has advised people in cities
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Cardiff suffers from a similar problem, said Gill Lewis of Caerphilly County Borough Council: “Since March 2020, the number of pest control requests has increased significantly as more people are at home and see more pest activity than usual.”
Rathbone added, “The big problem we are facing is that residents of deprived inner-city areas tend to seek the services of local authorities to deal with rodent problems. These areas are where rats migrate during the lockdown around Am poorest, hardest – and we all know cuts are coming.
“2021 could be interesting. The longer the lockdown, the higher the risk that rats will find a real hold in the summer that will be difficult to control. “
The first lockdown in March 2020 allowed rats to gain a foothold and reproduce well. The population increased by 25% from 120 million to 150 million in 2020.
Pest.co.uk advises anyone living in urban city centers to take proactive measures before problems arise. These include: blocking holes; Keep closets clean; Securing all food sources and setting traps.
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