A Scotland-based pest management professional has reported that Edinburgh’s rat population is “out of control” with rodents gathering in gardens and building “burrow upon burrow”.
Rebekah Carrel, director of Barricade Pest Control Edinburgh, said her company has received a huge volume of calls since the lockdown was imposed.
Edinburgh Live reported that her business has never experienced an infestation of rats in the capital so severe.
The pest control service, which usually only serves Edinburgh postcodes, has been receiving complaints about rats as far out as Musselburgh.
Ms Carrel said: “We are a family of pest controllers with three other companies. Never have we experienced this many rats in Edinburgh – there are burrows upon burrows.
“The other day a shocked client sent us a picture of six rats gathered in her garden beside a bird feeder.”
She added that her company has been trying to deal with the increase in demand, while also adhering to social distancing guidelines.