Rats in UK Became Emboldened During COVID Lockdown, Country Hit by Rodent Influx

The “lack of footfall in certain areas of towns and cities,” one pest control firm employee reportedly explained, led to changes in rats’ behaviour as they were no longer being disturbed by “regular human activity and noise.”

The United Kingdom has recently witnessed an influx of rat mobs venturing into town centres as the rodents have apparently grown bolder amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Daily Star reports.

While rats were previously reluctant to openly move through "high streets," they became more brazen as those areas became deserted due to lockdowns imposed to curb the spread of the disease.

As Paul Blackhurst of Rentokil pest control explained, "the lack of footfall in certain areas of towns and cities saw these nocturnal and fearful creatures become more confident as they were not being disturbed by regular human activity and noise."

"Now, with regular business activity gradually returning, and with potentially more people now eating out, food waste is naturally on the rise and this could increase the number of rodents and other pests looking for an easy meal,” he said. "For offices, restaurants, bars and cafes, it is time to take note and mitigate against the risk of reputational and financial damage that a rodent infestation can bring.”

According to the newspaper, central London and south east of England became the biggest rodent hotspots, witnessing a 91.4 percent "year-on-year rise," with the North West, North Wales and Midlands experiencing 86.4 percent.

Rentokil also reportedly mentioned a 73 percent increase in people "enquiring about fleas", with the company suggesting that it may be related to "an increase in lockdown pets over the last 12 months.”