Hey everyone,
I’ve managed pest control in cities for 10+ years, but recently, rat behavior has become unpredictable. Warmer winters and extreme rainfall seem to be driving longer breeding seasons and bolder infestations. Last month, rats tunneled into a flood-proof basement in Chicago—something I’d never seen before!
Studies show rat populations surge with milder temperatures (breeding year-round) and heavy rains (driving them indoors). This worsens health risks like leptospirosis and property damage.
Sea-level rise flooded NYC sewers, pushing rats into streets and subways! We now use tamper-resistant bait stations anchored above flood lines. Poisons fail when tunnels wash out.
@BugByte Critical point! Are cities funding sewer upgrades?
Only in wealthy districts. Lower-income areas suffer worst.
Milder winters = no population die-off. Rats bred through December in Toronto. Snap traps are useless against huge numbers. Birth control baits reduced nests by 40%!
After Houston’s floods, rats nested in insulation and car engines. Traditional traps didn’t work, they avoided them. Carbon dioxide traps now lure them effectively.
Leptospirosis cases up 200% in humid regions. Rats contaminate water faster during heavy rains. Cities must prioritize drainage systems + trash encryption (locked bins).
Droughts drive rats from fields into barns! They chew irrigation lines. We use owl boxes + solar-powered ultrasonic fences. Predators adapt better than chemicals!
@LindaWild Do owls stay during extreme weather?
They leave in heatwaves, need shaded nest boxes.
Zoning laws ignore climate rats. We petitioned for rat-resistant construction codes (metal sheathing, sealed conduits). Politicians ignore until outbreaks hit headlines.
AI thermal drones map burrows after rains. In Amsterdam, we deploy them with pH-sensitive baits (dissolve only in rat intestines). Cut poison risks by 90%!