Rat invasion is causing serious problems in many Hungarian cities

Authorities across the country and in many districts of Budapest are struggling to keep up with the growing rat population, and the peaks are only expected to hit in the coming weeks.

Several major cities from all parts of Hungary have reported sightings of rats in the street and in private areas, writes Nlc. These rodents cause lots of trouble throughout the year, but October is considered a peak season in their reproduction, besides April and May. As a pest control told Blikk,

“If you see a rat somewhere, it probably means that there are many more in that area. Rats usually give birth to 9–10 pups at a time.”

It has been several weeks now that cities like Esztergom, Miskolc, and Nagykőrös have been suffering from an unusual volume of the rat population. Authorities in the city of Győr, for example, even had to perform emergency extermination in September.

In Budapest, the phenomenon is a long-standing problem. The most problematic areas are usually in the city centre (the latest sightings are from Deák Ferenc Square and Jászai Mari Square), but peripheral areas such as District 18 are also affected.

As the authorities say, extermination is very important as rats spread multiple diseases, such as tularaemia and murine typhus. They can also cause serious damage to drainage systems and the insulation of buildings. During extermination, pest control place poisoned food in sealed boxes in sewers and other critical areas, but as Blikk writes, individual protection is just as important.

Always store litter in closed garbage bags and containers, install mosquito nets, and check your doors and windows regularly for holes and cracks.

If you see rats or notice any signs that rats live in a certain area, report it to the authorities immediately. For rat sightings in Budapest, go to www.rnbh.hu/panaszbejelento, or write an email to patkanyirtasbudapest@gmail.com with your address and phone number.

Read alsoBudapest is no longer a rat-free capital city

Source: nlc.hu, blikk.hu