On Tuesday I wrote about how Australia has been experiencing such an overpopulation of mice that they now consider it to be a “mice plague”.  Today I read a story about how in Great Britain, they are experiencing such an overpopulation of rats, that now they have a “rat plague.”

The British Pest Control Association is reporting that the number if rats are soaring because they have become immune to the poisons that pest control experts are allowed to use.  Industry experts believe that the mild winters and wet summers have helped the rat population to thrive. With infestations more than doubling in some areas in England, the Department of Heath is introducing new measures to halt the spread of the rodents.

The Black Rat (Rattus rattus), which has not reared its ugly head in over 100 years, has now found its way back to England.  Rats and mice present many health problems for humans.  Black Rats in particular are carriers of many different human diseases, including Bubonic Plague (via fleas on the rats), Typhus and Leptospirosis. The problems that affect our friends across the pond should also become America’s concern.  In New York City alone, it is estimated that there is at least one rat for every person who resides there.

If you have problems with rats or mice in your business, you need to contact a licensed pest control expert to help you take care of the problem before American’s experience a similar plague as well.