Bristol rat population soars
Experts are blaming mild winters and the axing of weekly rubbish bin collections for the rise in numbers.
Across Bristol last year nearly 5,000 homeowners reported rat infestations - an increase of nearly a third on the previous year.
Others claim fast-food is adding to the problem, as discarded kebabs and burgers lay strewn in city streets overnight.
Extra rat catchers have been employed by Bristol City Council to deal with the problem.
The 4,924 infestations reported in 2007-2008 financial year saw a 29 per cent increase on the 3,817 reports in the previous year.
But the council has denied claims that rotting rubbish was to balme for the surge. It has also pointed out that although non-recyclable rubbish is now collected fortnightly, food scraps in 'caddies' are collected weekly.
Bristol City Council environment manager John Jefferies said: "Bristol City Council recognise that rats are an issue in the city, but the increase in the number of rat sightings in Bristol could be partially attributable to several factors, and not necessarily only to an increase in the rat population.
"Milder winters mean that more of the rat population survive traditionally colder months. The inclement weather experienced in the South West brings more rats out.
"Bristol City Council offers a free service to residents to help deal with rats and the way in which residents can report rat sightings has become easier.
"Bristol City Council have taken on extra staff to ensure they can continue to provide a proactive service and, in partnership with the water authority, undertake treatments of the sewer system."
In North Somerset, the council is reporting no increase in the number of call-outs to rat related incidents.
Iain Turner, a director of the National Pest Technicians Associations (NPTA), a body for pest controllers, said: "What we do know is that in the last two years there has been a significant increase in sales of rodenticides to professionals.
"Almost certainly that is down to the fact we have had two very mild winters. You need cold winters to kill off rats.
"There has also been a big increase in the amount of food litter. You go into any city or town early on a Sunday morning and you see the remains of takeaways everywhere."
Across the UK as a whole infestations have increased by a fifth.
And Rentokil estimates rats have overtaken humans in the population stakes.
The pest control company says there are between 65-80 million rats compared to 60 million humans.
However, it is impossible to calculate an exact figure for the UK's rat population. Some estimates are as high as 100 million.
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