Rat ‘plague’ uncontrolled as monster rodents ‘consuming one another’ in battle for UK backyard | UK | Information

The nation was busy making up for lost time after Prime Minister Boris Johnson eased lockdown restrictions on April 12. While the British were locked down for almost a year, the rodent population is said to have been busy exploring their newfound freedom. The UK rat population has reportedly increased by a quarter to an estimated 150 million.

And since many work from home, there is far more rubbish piling up on their doors than usual – and the rats are now fighting over the rubbish.

Peter Higgs, executive director of PGH Pest Control and Prevention in Surrey, said his company has seen a 50 percent increase in residential use since introducing social distancing measures.

He said, “You’re coming home – that’s exactly what happens.

“All of the waste produced by people who eat food and facilities that cook is gone.

“I think some garbage collections aren’t that common right now either. They get trashed.

“When they are hungry, they will eat each other. They will use a hierarchy in cities – the big rats will eat the smaller ones.

“They’ll come in with the sewer system – they’ll eat feces.”

But it’s not just houses that are being attacked.

Cleankill Pest Control bosses have warned that the increase in “outdoor eating” during the pandemic has also resulted in far more scraps of food now lying around.

READ MORE: Giant rat plague hits UK gardens as an 80% increase in rodent activity starts pest warfare.

“A dog chased you the other day, you see rats swimming among the birds all the time.

“The pest control officer will not go to people’s homes to deal with the infestation, only for parks.”

“We know that’s where the problem is – they’re looking for food.”

The UK Pest Control said its members reported a 51 percent increase in rodent activity during the first lockdown in spring 2020 and a 78 percent increase when the shutdown returned in November.

Experts fear the problem could explode as pubs, bars and restaurants are now able to serve food outside.

Sam Devereux of JG Pest Control in London said: “As people are more at home, the number of residential callouts has increased.

“This has been the busiest winter we’ve ever had in 10 years.

“But now that the weather is improving and pubs, bars and restaurants are reopening, rodents will migrate elsewhere.

“We have contracts with pubs, restaurants and takeaways and while they are no longer closed we expect a busy spring and summer with them.

“As the temperature changes, they will be less inclined to take shelter in people’s homes, and this will be the perfect time for grocery and beverage stores to reopen.”