Dublin experiences an intimidating manifestation of rodents amidst heavy rainfalls and the rising water level. However, for those living in the Irish capital plagued by such infestations, rest assured assistance is available from the Pest Control Team of the Health Service Executive.
Catriona Stack, a lead environmental health official, reveals they receive between 16,000 to 17,000 callouts per annum within Dublin city and its county, making it a highly in-demand service. They deal with a range of complaints from local residential, vacant, and derelict properties as well as grievances from individuals who’ve witnessed vermin invading from adjacent premises or from green space and construction sites.
Furthermore, the Health Service Executive frequently gets internal referrals from social workers regarding individuals susceptible to hoarding materials. They then collaborate with affiliated services to transition these individuals to a safer living standard.
Upon receiving the primary callout, the pest control team conducts an onsite investigation. Stack emphasizes that their team members are well-versed in pest control, with professional certifications regulated by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. They abide by the CRRU guidelines – the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use, to make certain that their rodenticide applications do not adversely affect wildlife.
If a location necessitates the use of rodenticide, it is placed in secure boxes that homeowners are instructed not to touch. If the issue persists after 35 days, reevaluation of the site is carried out in order to ascertain if any area was overlooked earlier. Appropriate treatment is then applied and the bait is removed after a certain period.
As per Stack, the principal task beyond addressing the initial infestation is understanding the reasons why rodents are attracted to a particular location and formulating measures to prevent them from returning.
“She cautions, ‘If they’re attracted, they’ll arrive. They’ll seize any opportunity to gain entry to your household. If they’re able to locate food and water within, they’ll readily set up shop.”
Commence by eliminating potential sources of food and water in your outdoor spaces, she advises.
“Mice differ from rats. While mice derive moisture from the food they chew on, rats must drink water. Hence, deny them the chance to drink. Make sure there are no stagnant water pools or faulty pipes that might leak,” she says.
Even the smallest of puddles can suffice for their drinking needs, she informs. “If your outdoor concrete is worn out and accumulates water, that’s the kind of environment they prefer.”
One must pay attention to the outer layer of your house and any plants or greenery growing near it. Keep them well-pruned as rats are expert climbers – mentions Catriona Stack, the chief environmental health officer at HSE.
Reflect on what food items you might unknowingly be providing. For those with pets, refrain from leaving their food bowls outdoors during nighttime, and clean up any bird feeder overflow, Stack advises. It’s essential to remember that rats have an expansive diet.
“Most are familiar with the potential risks of unhygienically stored garbage before collection, yet many overlook animal waste. If a cat or dog is in the house, rats would feast on their waste,” she says.
If you own a garden, ponder whether you could have inadvertently made it a haven for rats with leftover construction materials or other rubbish that could serve as shelter. “Also, attend to any defective drain lids in your yard. Replace them as rats can emerge from sewers,” she states.
Above all, ensure no welcome mat is put out for these rodents.
She says, “Dublin houses many older buildings. If front doors don’t fit tightly to the ground, pests can easily wriggle into very tiny spaces to enter your house. If you spot any kind of opening, place something like a bristle strip at the bottom of your door.”
Plugging up any holes around wastewater pipes extending from your kitchen or bathroom is crucial in keeping your home rat-free. A recommended material is steel wool, which annoys rats when they attempt to bite it. Household items such as abrasive pads can be utilised, inserted into gaps or holes and then topped off with mortar for secure sealing. However, caution is required when implementing expanding foams, as rats can chew through certain types. Therefore, lead off with steel wool for maximum protection.
Tree and foliage maintenance, especially those close to your dwelling, is an often overlooked area, advises Stack. Constant trimming is necessary because rats have climbing capabilities. They ascend up trees and invade homes through the eaves.
Maintaining a home devoid of food, water, and shelter forces any wandering rat to seek sustenance elsewhere. The rat population in Dublin doesn’t fluctuate seasonally, but excess rainfall can force them to seek refuge above ground, due to rising water levels in sewers.
Stack’s approach towards the undesired rodents is one of a pragmatic and investigative nature. She stresses the need to suspend any fear or discomfort in dealing with the creatures. Nonetheless, her compassion is evident. Rats can inflict distress upon homeowners due to potential disease transmission, property damage, and the resultant anxiety of having them around. Listening to their nocturnal activities can heighten the uneasiness.
The estimation of the rat population in the country is challenging. However, the reported figure is believed to be approximately 10 million, with Dublin hosting a staggering 4 million of these rodents.
In 2022, the HSE service responded to 16,921 calls while in 2023 it handled 16,223 cases. This service, however, maintains its availability exclusively for residents within Dublin’s city and county, dispatching non-capital infestations to be attended by private firms or, occasionally, local administration bodies.
In the past years, rat-related complaints remained fairly consistent, deviating during the stringent lockdown periods of the Covid pandemic, a time when decreased human presence led to overtly bold rat behaviour. This observation was confirmed by the Dublin City Council.
Uisce Éireann, responsible for the public sewer network repairs, argues that there is no apparent surge in rodent complications linked to the public sewers recently.
There are some consequential matters to ponder for those troubled by these creatures. Rats are notorious for passing on zoonotic illnesses to humans, including pathogenic infections like Leptospirosis – referred to as Weil’s disease, and salmonellosis. More so, fleas and ticks that they harbour can become carriers of diseases.
Owing to their incessantly growing teeth, rats are compelled to bite on different materials, posing structural damage risks, and more importantly, operating as a safety hazard if they gnaw through cables.