Rodents pose a threat to premises which have been lying vacant due to the Covid-19 lockdown, a pest control expert has said.
Rentokil believes that rats and mice will seek to explore these empty buildings in search of food and shelter.
The company also expects the closure of restaurants will result in increased rodent infestations in vacant buildings.
With less food waste available for rodents to scavenge in outdoor bins, they are likely to travel further in search of food, venturing beyond their normal environments.
The pest provider said buildings will offer the animals a warm, sheltered environment where they will be undisturbed by humans and predators, providing a perfect breeding ground for them
Research has also revealed the top four counties which have accounted for rodent callous so far this year up until the end of April.
Dublin had 31% of callouts followed by Meath 10%, Cork 9% and Kildare 7% for infestations.
Richard Faulkner of Rentokil said: “Empty buildings are under serious threat of infestations from rodents during the lockdown period.
“Rats and mice can access premises quite easily, through very small gaps or cracks, and can then settle there and multiply in numbers.
“Where possible, companies should seek to utilise unmanned pest control solutions to combat the presence of these pests in vacant buildings.”
Rentokil is advising businesses to explore unmanned, non-toxic pest control solutions which can provide a 24 hour protection from rodents.
The company is advising business owners to utilise digital, non-toxic solutions in place of poisons, due to recent changes in national rules which prohibit the use of toxic baiting except for specific situations.
Rentokil predicts that when businesses start to reopen, callouts for rodent infestations will rise sharply, as many businesses will find that they have a pest problem on their hands.
