Rise of the Rodents: The UK’s Fly-Tipping Problem Linked to Pest Infestations
by James P. Outreach & PR ExecutiveWith a sharp increase of fly-tipping during the UK’s
lockdown, rat infestations have seen a significant increase.
It has been estimated that during the lockdown there has
been a 42
per cent increase of rat infestations. This has likely been a consequence
of limited bin collections, but the rise of fly-tipping is also a significant
factor in the rise of rodent related invasions.
We look at the causes and cures of fly-tipping and the rat
problems it brings.
Food with no thought
The major attraction of rodents to fly-tipping locations is
food. The government reported that in 2018/19, almost two
thirds of fly tipping was household waste. Rats and other pests usually
have a wide and varying diet, which makes food waste an essential part of their
daily intake.
For some during lockdown, limited bin collections and
recycling station use may have pushed them towards disposing of their waste in
unsatisfactory locations. The increase in household waste on the streets has
understandably led to an increase in rat infestations.
The issue of food waste has only been exemplified by early
lockdown stockpiling. Food that families were unable to eat was discarded
on the streets after waste disposal teams were scaled back to help with
self-isolating workers.
The timing has also had a consequence on their breeding
patterns. With lockdown providing more food waste heading into warmer summer
months, the conditions to birth were ideal.
One man’s waste is another rat’s home
Other items that are usually fly-tipped include household
furniture, old sofas, chairs, and wooden cabinets. These items are usually
found strewn on farmland or the side of roads. The materials these items are
made from are perfect for rats to recycle into habitats.
‘The mouse in the sofa’ may be a usual comedy set piece for
many sitcoms. But fly-tipped furniture is no laughing matter! It produces the
ideal breeding grounds and creates secure areas for infestations to live.
The Local Government Association has recommended that mandatory
mattress recycling must be imposed to help combat the increasing fly-tipping
problem. According to data, more than 33,000 mattresses were illegally dumped
in England between 2018 and 2019. This number means that if they were stacked
on top of each other they would be 20 times taller than the empire state
building.
Correct waste
clearance is essential, especially when it comes to household. Infestations
will continue to rise along with an increased use of fly-tipping. To combat a
rise in infestations, good recycling, managing food waste expectations, and
avoiding illegal dumping are essential.
Sources
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fly-tipping-in-england
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Created on Dec 11th 2020 04:17. Viewed 304 times.