Rat related call outs jump by 65% says pest control company

A top pest control company has revealed they have received 65% more rodent callouts from January to March this year, compared to the same period in 2022.

Rentokil confirmed that Cork, Dublin, Clare, Galway and Mayo accounted for the most rodent callouts so far in 2023, with Cork accounting for 28% of all callouts, Dublin at 14%, Clare at 5%, Galway at 3% and Mayo at 2%.

Rodents are widely regarded as the number one pest threat for homes and businesses, and property owners and premises managers need to be aware of them due to the significant damage they can cause to both properties and assets. Rats and mice spend extended periods of time every day grinding down their teeth on surrounding objects, and as a result, they can chew through utility lines, electrical wires and other key infrastructure. Signs of rodent activity to be aware of in premises include rodent droppings, scratching noises, and footprints.

The presence of rodents in a business also poses a serious reputational risk, as well as a health risk due to the potential spread of diseases through their bodily fluids and excrement.

Colm Moore, Area Technical Manager for Rentokil said: “Rentokil encourages premises holders and business owners to be mindful of the presence of rodents and to take immediate action if they believe they have unwanted guests in residence. Digital options such as our PestConnect system which uses intelligent technology to monitor for rats and mice in real-time, whilst also reducing reliance on toxic baits and rodenticide, providing 24/7 monitoring, rapid response and effective elimination of rodent pests. The pest control industry as a whole is making a move towards smarter, technologically enabled, unmanned solutions, and Rentokil is leading the way in this area.”

Members of the public can find out more about signs of rodent infestations and how to discourage their presence by visiting the Rentokil website.