Experts have warned that hungry rats are invading homes across the UK since the coronavirus lockdown closed restaurants.
Natalie Bungay, technical officer for the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) said, “With less footfall across cities and towns there is less associated food waste being left in bins and on the floor.
“As a result, rat populations are likely to move further afield to satisfy their need for a food source and this, in turn, is likely to cause more sightings.
“By nature, rats will also try to avoid humans directly and so, with less of us walking the streets, they may be getting a little bolder and possibly be seen in areas they normally wouldn’t.”
Bungay added, “In terms of rats in domestic homes, so long as you manage your food waste properly and there are no considerable harbourage opportunities, you shouldn’t experience any unusual problems.
“All of the waste that was produced by people eating food out, and from establishments doing the cooking – that’s gone.
“I think some bin collections aren’t quite as frequent at the moment too. They are getting into rubbish.”
The National Pest Technicians Association technical manager John Hope said: “Stockpiling will have an effect on public health because if you’re stockpiling goods, there’s more food there to attract rodents.”
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