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Floods in Lincolnshire result in rat infestation
Floods in Lincolnshire result in rat infestation
As of January 2013, there were 50 flood warnings and around 200 further alerts in place across the UK, with the south west and south wales worst hit by further rain.
Northolt,
Middlesex,
United Kingdom
(sardnews.org)
04/05/2013
As of January 2013, there were 50 flood warnings and around 200 further alerts in place across the UK, with the south west and south wales worst hit by further rain. In addition, the melting snow and Ice across many parts of the UK has only added to the problem.
As a result, rats are trying to stay warm and dry by moving into urban, drier areas. This has created problems for many residents especially in Lincolnshire where rodents have infested many residential properties.
Environmental health officers have reported that water logged fields were forcing rats into the drier, urban areas as they seek shelter, food and a dry environment in which to live and breed.
Akeel Jaffar runs HLA Pest Control in London, who specialises in bed bug infestations in hotels and guest houses and can help businesses put in place a commercial pest control strategy to tackle a problem before it gets out of hand. They offer advice to hotels and businesses in London to help tackle the rise following the events of summer 2012. HLA Pest Control has seen a 25% increase in call outs for the last three months compared to the same period in 2011. Akeel Jaffar says:
"As a result of the increased wet weather in rural areas, HLA Pest Control has seen a surge in call outs for rat infestations - and this rise is likely to be felt across the whole of the UK. The wet conditions makes it very difficult for rats to find enough food forcing them into closer contact with humans.
"Rats are particularly troublesome as they can gnaw through cables and wires, and have been known to start house fires and other structural problems in homes and offices. Therefore it's essential that you act as soon as you see droppings or any other evidence of a rat or mouse infestation. That aside, they also pose a serious health risk, especially to the young and elderly as they can contaminate food preparation areas and put humans at risk of Salmonella poisoning to name just one of the health hazards they present.
"This year the water table has risen considerably and this has forced them out of their natural habitat into domestic environments including sheds and outhouses, so it's worth checking these areas for any evidence of an infestation including holes, droppings and nesting. It's also advisable not to leave food lying around, and this includes on riverbanks when going to feed the ducks and swans. "
Notes to Editors
HLA is London's leading Bed Bug specialist and a member of the British Pest Control Association and winner of the National Pest Technician Association Awards. To find out about bed bugs signs and symptoms in hotels and to get advice on commercial pest control click here. To find out more about how to remove your pests for good with London's most competitive prices and a one-hour response time click here
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About HLA Pest Control Services
HLA is London’s leading rodent control specialist, a member of the British Pest Control Association and winner of the National Pest Technician Association Awards.
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