THERE are more rats than people in Swindon, with lockdown boosting the rodent population.
Research suggests the town is now home to 461,804 rats - and it’s thought there is 2.2 rodents for every person in Swindon.
Jenny Rathbone from Swindon Pest Control company said: “They say you are only ever 6ft away from a rat – and in typical 2020 fashion it’s now more likely in Swindon than ever this year.”
And rats are said to be 25 per cent larger this year than last.
Breeding like crazy during lockdown, they have made their nests in vacant buildings in quiet streets with poor waste practices.
“We are seeing a huge increase in rat problems throughout Swindon as lockdown has really helped them breed in relative peace with closed properties with poor waste management practices providing them with plentiful food and shelter,” Jenny said.
“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.”
The cities with the highest rat populations in the UK are:
- London – 19.9m
- Birmingham – 2.4m
- Leeds – 1.7m
- Glasgow – 1.3m
- Sheffield – 1.2m
- Manchester – 1.1m
- Edinburgh – 1.1m
- Liverpool – 1m
- Bristol – 950,000
- Cardiff – 760,000
Pest is advising people to block up holes in and around the home, clear cupboards, secure all food sources and prepare traps to prevent rats visiting and breeding in homes in Swindon.
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