21 February 2020
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Cork accounted for 10% of insect callouts (second highest) & 6% of rodent callouts (third highest) from the pest control company in January
Rentokil predicts that callouts for rodents and insects will reach an all-time high in 2020, as a result of climate change and its effect on pest behaviour. The company recorded an increase of 56% in callouts for rodents and a 14% increase in callouts for pest insects in 2019, when compared to the previous year.
In January 2020, Rentokil recorded a 26% in callouts for rodents and an 18% increase in callouts for pest insects, when compared to the same period in 2019. The top three counties which accounted for rodent infestations in January were Dublin (which accounted for 32% of total rodent callouts), Meath (9%) and Cork (6%). The top three counties that experienced insect infestations were Dublin (64%), Cork (10%), and Carlow (5%).
The company believes that progressively warmer conditions, combined with increasing rainfall levels will allow rodent and insect populations to thrive and multiply, which will result in higher numbers of pest callouts throughout the year.
Met Éireann reported that Ireland experienced above-average temperatures for the ninth straight year in 2019, including the warmest winter since records began. The Central Statistics Office also recently reported that Ireland is experiencing increasing levels of rainfall.
Richard Faulkner, Advanced Technical Field Consultant for Rentokil, said “Extreme weather conditions have resulted in pest habits and behaviours which are becoming more difficult to predict. Traditionally we would have experienced specific seasonal spikes in infestations from different pests, but we are seeing that many are becoming a problem all year round. Pests including rats, mice, flies, and bed bugs are moving indoors during months that we haven’t traditionally seen. In order to contribute to the fight against climate change, Rentokil has been developing more environmentally sustainable pest control solutions, including PestConnect, which utilises technology instead of chemicals and poisons.”
