As the world marks World Rat Day (April 4) – a date which usually highlights rats as intelligent and misunderstood creatures – the National Pest Technicians Association has issued a serious warning about the growing rodent crisis in Birmingham.
With the city now facing an indefinite, city-wide bin strike, uncollected rubbish is piling up in streets and alleyways, creating a perfect storm for a surge in rat activity.
NPTA is urging both residents and the local authority to act swiftly and responsibly to prevent a city-wide rodent explosion in the weeks ahead.
NPTA director Grahame Turner said: “Birmingham is now in a really dangerous position.
“With the bin strikes becoming indefinite and waste already piling up, we’re on the verge of a serious public health crisis. These conditions are exactly what drive a surge in rat and mouse activity.
“Rats, mice and even squirrels are highly opportunistic – when food is readily available, like uncollected bags of rubbish, they move in fast. Rotting food waste is an absolute feast for rodents, and with each passing day, the city becomes more vulnerable.”
Mr Turner continued: “Once rats arrive to scavenge in your bins, it’s only a short step before they begin looking for shelter – which could easily be inside your home or business.
“It’s not just unpleasant – it’s dangerous. Rodents carry diseases like Leptospirosis, Hantavirus, and Salmonella, which can be spread through droppings, urine, flies and contaminated surfaces.
“They’re also destructive – chewing through wires, insulation, and even pipes. It’s not unusual for pest control professionals to be called in after an electrical fire caused by rodent damage.”
Kevin Lawrenson, NPTA chief executive, added: “We fully understand the public frustration, but the reality is this strike is creating an environment where pests will thrive. Our advice is clear: store rubbish as securely as possible – in sealed containers if you can, take waste to a local tip if that’s an option and engage pest controllers to keep numbers down as far as possible.
“Then once the collections start up again the rodents will remain and this could mean the problem gets worse as they look for alternative food source. The longer this strike continues the worse the problem will ultimately be.”
Whilst World Rat Day is often used to raise awareness of rats in a more positive light, the NPTA stressed that in urban environments, unmanaged waste and poor hygiene open the door to serious infestations — with risks far outweighing any quirky charm.