Rat numbers rising as pest control fails

By Andrew Sangster

HOTeLS and restaurants could face a plague of rats because the rodent population is booming, say scientists.

The number of rodents in sewers is increasing dramatically as authorities fail to take measures to reduce the population.

"People operating a food business should be concerned," said Stephen Battersby, associate consultant at the University of Surrey's Robens Centre for Public and Environmental Health.

Rats are being allowed to flourish in sewerage systems because local authorities and water companies are failing to talk to each other about the problem, he added.

A study by Battersby and Dr Kathy Pond earlier this year found that about half of local authorities reported an increase in rats. But Battersby claimed that, despite the complaints received by local authorities, water companies were not adequately baiting the sewers.

This means that, if hoteliers and caterers have not recently inspected their drainage systems, rats could soon be heading for their kitchens and dining rooms to find new sources of food.

"About 60% of infestation cases are caused by rats coming out of the sewage system," said Battersby.

The switch to plastic pipes is partly responsible. If these pipes are inadequately fitted, rats will chew on exposed edges and eventually find a way through a water trap.

Another problem may be the failure to seal off disused parts of the sewage system. A toilet no longer in use, for example, can allow rats to climb up.

The last time the numbers of rats were surveyed, in 1993, it was found there had been a 40% increase in the population since the 1970s.