A rat infestation in a Hackney apartment block has left residents terrified, as experts caution a “winter of rats” could be approaching in the UK.
One resident of Crystal Courts flats filmed over a dozen rats in the bin store, while others describe being kept awake at night by the sound of scratching walls, according to the BBC
"I saw 10 to 15 rats scurrying up the walls, running into a hole in the bin store ceiling," a resident named Marlon told the BBC.
Notting Hill Genesis, which manages the residency, said it was tackling the ongoing pest problem, and apologised for the impact it was having on residents.
The report comes as rat experts warn that a “horrendous” infestation is impending, as a combination of hot summer weather and food waste has created optimal conditions for vermin.
Kieran Sampler, founder of Yorkshire Rat Pack, said that his team was catching huge rats, adding that the problem had been “getting worse” over the years.
He said his group of pest controllers were catching 19 to 20 inch rodents every day.
“It is going to be a bad winter for rats, and people don’t realise – it is going to be horrendous,” he told The Telegraph.
“There is always going to be a bad winter after a good summer.”
Sampler explained that there is a “lot more waste now than 20 years ago', with a higher quantity of takeaways, and discarded food”.
“It's getting beyond a joke,” he said.
According to Sampler, the worst infestations can be found in farms, warehouses and late 20th cenury houses, due to cast iron pipes which “crumble” and let rats enter.
There have been a number of sightings of rats in London. Dagenham has been nicknamed “Ratland”, due to the high number of rodents crowding around mounds of rubbish, while a pack of nearly 10 rats were spotted in Tottenham Green East, according to Daily Mail.
Earlier this month, a resident of a house in Brent Council sued her borough over the state of her “rat-infested” home.
Ms Eniola said her family have “rat bites all over our body”.
Why are rats dangerous?
Rodents can carry bacteria and viruses that can cause potentially fatal infections in people. These include leptospirosis, hantavirus, rat-bite fever and a type of meningitis caused by a virus called lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV).
Infections can be passed through bites or contact with rodent urine, droppings, saliva or bedding materials or. They can also be transmitted via breathing in rodent dander, dried doppings, urine or dust from bedding they’ve contaminated.
What can you do to protect your home from rats?
According to the British Pest Control Association, there are a number of steps you can take to avoid a rat infestation in your home:
- Ensure there are no gaps around pipes and under sheds. If there are, make sure to seal them up with wire wool embedded in quick-setting cement.
- Keep your garden tidy by cutting down overgrown areas and clearing piles of wood or debris, as these can be potential nesting sites.
- Make sure drain inspection covers are in a good state and disused pipes are sealed.
- Cover household waste and ensure recycling containers are properly washed.
- Replace broken bins.
- Keep bins away from windows and doors.
- Compostable liners can help control food smells in bins (which can attract rats).
- Regularly wash bins with disinfectant and hot water.
