However, figures provided to The Irish Times show that health authorities recorded a 25 per cent increase in rodent activity across the county last year. The closure of food businesses, quiet city streets and a rise in fly-tipping are all said to be contributory factors. “Rodents tend to follow the food,” said Chris Izart, head of the National Pest Technicians Association. The rise in rodent numbers recently led Dublin City Council to open its own pest-control unit and increase the number of specially trained staff in the area. South Dublin County Council reported a 31 per cent increase between 2019 and last year, from 501 complaints to 657.

Source: The Irish Times March 01, 2021 00:56 UTC