Dubliners Will See A Lot More Rats In Their Houses In December And Here’s Why

Darragh Berry

No. no.

NOOOOOOOOOO.

So we’re going to be leaving our homes in the capital for the next while and might venture coming back in 2019 sometime.

Rentokil has announced that Dublin has had the highest number of callouts for rodents.

Over 30% of callouts were to the capital and the company is saying that the reason for the high number is because of the fecking weather.

They say that the hot summer weather provided ideal conditions for rodent populations to thrive, multiply and spread.

Now that the weather has began to drop significantly, the rodents are going to start seeking shelter and food indoors.

And what’s scary is that some of them may already be camped out.

“Rentokil experiences a sudden spike in callouts for rodents every year during autumn, as the rodent population begins to move indoors to escape the cold weather,” said Dr Colm Moore, Area Technical Manager for Rentokil.

“Notably, in 2018, this annual spike increased by 45% and occurred a month earlier when compared with the previous year. Rodents have begun to move indoors earlier and in higher numbers, and we believe that this could be due to extreme weather conditions as a result of climate change.”

Signs to watch out for are:

Presence of rodent droppings
Scratching noises from inside walls, under floorboards or in attics at night
Grease marks or smears on walls

“A rat infestation in your home or business not only causes genuine health risks but also inspires real fear and stress,” say Rentokil.

“If you have never had rats before it is unlikely you will know exactly what action to take.

“Most people do not worry about a pest problem until it actually happens. But don’t worry, we deal with lots of rat infestations on a daily basis – so you are in safe hands.

“The quickest and most effective way to get rid of rats from your home or business is professional rat control. They are able to:

Identify the source & extent of the infestation
Recommend and implement targeted treatment and proofing solutions
Safely get rid of rats from your home or business

“DIY rat control is not recommended.

“It may appear the cheaper option but the chances of a sub-standard control are greatly higher, incorrect pest identification treatment and/or ultimately additional professional services will make the over cost higher.”