One of the problems that has seriously concerned many urban populations worldwide in recent years is the sharp increase in the number of rats. This situation is increasingly observed in cities in the USA, Great Britain, Canada, the Netherlands, and other developed countries, local and international publications report.
Experts interpret the causes of this dangerous trend differently. Among them are problems with timely collection of urban waste, outdated sewage systems, the rise of fast food culture, as well as factors such as global climate change and milder winters.
According to data from the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), in the last five years, requests from member companies to exterminate rats have significantly increased. For example, Cleankill, operating in southern England, noted that such requests have grown by 20 percent in the last two years.
The situation has also sharply worsened in the USA and Canada. A scientific study published in the journal Science Advances recorded an increase in rat activity in several cities over the past 20 years. Specifically, an increase of 400 percent in Washington, 300 percent in San Francisco, 160 percent in New York, and 180 percent in Toronto was identified.
Scientists emphasize that rats are naturally very prolific animals. A female can produce six litters per year, each with up to twelve pups. If left uncontrolled, just two rats could potentially produce over a thousand offspring in a year.
At the same time, rats’ “neophobia” — meaning their cautious fear of new things — makes the process of exterminating them even more difficult. Testing poison in small amounts first and then consuming it cautiously reduces the chances of eliminating them by usual methods. Moreover, some rats have been found to carry genetic mutations that develop immunity to certain chemical substances.
Therefore, pest control services are moving to use modern long-lasting products and are developing new strategies. However, experts note that the effectiveness of such measures is also limited.
Experts warn that rats not only damage urban infrastructure but also pose a serious threat to human health. They can spread severe diseases such as leptospirosis, hantavirus, and can be sources of various infections.
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