Despite the lack of truth in wild claims that you’re never more than 6 feet away from a rat in heavily populated places like London, the population of rats in the UK is huge. Certain reports suggest that humans are actually outnumbered by rats in the UK. Unfortunately, due to their reputation for being carriers of many zoonotic diseases, their general untidiness and appearance, rats are widely seen as unpleasant animals that have no place in our living space. So how have rats been able to conquer such a vast range of environments and have a thriving population?
One of the challenges that prevents a population from becoming incredibly large is food and water availability. This comes down to the simple fact that the more rats there are to eat from their available food sources, the less there will be. However, due to the ever-growing human population alongside the rats, there are very few areas in the UK where there isn’t food. In rural areas, rats will eat seeds, plants and fruit and have a predominantly vegetarian diet, but in cities they will eat our waste, including meat. Now that humans produce unprecedented amounts of waste, it’s no wonder that rats have been able to live and grow alongside us.
Another contributing factor to the success of the rat population in the UK is our climate. While many Brits moan relentlessly about the weather, we’re fortunate for the consistency and the lack of challenge by extreme weather conditions and temperatures. A negative side to our climate is that it also helps rats to remain active throughout the year. If they’re able to find a mate, rats are able to breed in all seasons. Another assistance from the humans is the production of buildings. Our buildings provide a year-round haven of warmth, food, water and shelter for all rodents.
By providing them with everything they need to sustain life we have inadvertently helped the rat population to grow and thrive alongside our own. This is why so many people in the UK are reporting rat infestations within their homes and businesses.
If you have a rat infestation we at APC Management provide removal and proofing services to ensure that your rat problem is solved once and for all, contact us now for a discreet, same or next day service.
