Rat rise in Cardiff leaves resident scared to open front door

Rat rise in Cardiff leaves resident scared to open front door

A resident in Cardiff has expressed his fear of opening his front door due to the increasing reports of rats in the area. David Armstrong, a 62-year-old who has lived in the city for 15 years, described the rat problem near his home as “disgusting” and “quite scary.” Cardiff council’s pest control services noted a 10% rise in call-outs related to rats last year, while a private pest control company stated that the rat situation in the city was the worst they have seen in their 36 years of business. The council highlighted that rats are adaptable, mobile, and prolific breeders, urging residents to ensure proper waste disposal to tackle the issue.

Reports of rat infestations have been on the rise in various towns and cities across the UK, as per the British Pest Control Association. Armstrong mentioned that the rodent issue near his home escalated in the past two years due to overflowing communal rubbish bins. Despite the housing association clearing up the rubbish, concerns remain about children playing in the area and the threat of rats entering homes. Private pest control companies in Cardiff have also reported an increase in rodent call-outs, with some experts attributing the problem to improper waste disposal and favorable conditions for rats to thrive.

While some residents have resigned themselves to living alongside rats as part of city life, others like Neil Harris in Cathays believe rats get a “bad rap.” Harris acknowledged seeing rats in his garden and under his floorboards but accepted it as part of urban living. The RSPCA stated that the UK is home to two rat species – brown rats and black rats, with brown rats being more prevalent. Cardiff council advised residents to maintain clean properties, remove potential nesting sites, and avoid attracting rats by feeding wild animals. Professional pest control services and effective prevention measures were recommended to address the growing rat issue in the city

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