UK households have been issued a rat warning after pest controllers dealt with 743 infestations every day in 2023.
Councils experienced a 23 per cent increase in bedbug call outs compared to 2022, from 11,819 visits to 14,587. Rodents can cause significant structural damage to homes by gnawing under floorboards, within stud walls and drywall linings, or by making holes in loft insulation which can cause condensation and rot in the joists.chew through plastic pipes it can also lead to damp, or flooding whilst rodents chewing through electrical cables could cause significant fire risks.
Ian Andrew, Chief Executive at British Pest Control Association, added:"It's absolutely vital that householders consider calling in a BPCA member at the first sign of rodent activity. Rats are a serious public health pest with rapid breeding cycles, which means an infestation can escalate quickly.