Is there a rat problem in your area?

It’s boom time for pest control companies as quietened urban areas due to coronavirus restrictions have helped the population of rats soar by 30 million in one year.

According to the website Pest.co.uk, Britain’s rat population surged by a quarter to an estimated 150 million last year following three national lockdowns – that’s approximately 2.2 rats for every person.

Making use of the many vacant buildings to breed, rat infestations are up 25% on last year.

And it is not only a problem in our towns and cities. There have been reports of an increasing number of rats, deprived of food scraps in our towns, daring to venture into suburbia and the countryside and with the trend for backyard chickens, the problem has only got worse.

Pest.co.uk’s Jenny Rathbone said: “They say you are only ever 6ft away from a rat – and it’s now more likely than ever this year.

“We are seeing a huge increase in rat problems throughout the country as lockdown has really helped them breed.”

Rats can have 6 litters a year with each litter consisting of between 6 and 12 babies.

Have you seen evidence of rats recently? Do you think there are more than usual in your area this year?