THERE’s been a near 50 per cent increase in “mouse activity” and a nearly 20 per cent rise in the number of rats reported to a pest control firm during the first three months of this year in Limerick.
That’s according to pest control and extermination company Rentokil, which says it recored a 47 per cent increase in “mouse activity” and 16 per cent rise in call-outs for rats compared to the same period last year.
Nationally, Rentokil said in a statement, there was a 45 per cent increase in rat activity reported and a 39 per cent rise in mouse activity, highlighting what it described as a “widespread issue across Ireland” that signals “the need for increased pest vigilance” in Limerick and across Ireland.
“Rats remain the most common pest issue affecting Irish properties. They can cause serious structural damage by chewing through utility lines, electrical wiring, and insulation,” a Rentokil spokesman said.
He added that “mice, while smaller, pose similar risks and can often go unnoticed until infestations are well established”.
Rentokil sent out the message that common signs of rat or mouse activity in the home or workplace include droppings, scratching noises in walls or ceilings, footprints, and gnaw marks.
Businesses, in particular, Rentokil has warned, should be alert to the reputational damage and health risks associated with pest infestations, including the spread of disease through contact with rodent droppings or urine.
Rentokil regional technical manager Colm Moore warned that the rise in rodent activity is “likely to continue”.
