Mick Muldoon of Pestforce said the British high street has changed drastically – and it’s leading to more rats in our homes
Caught in traffic whilst rushing to his next appointment during a hectic Wednesday schedule, a pest control expert operating in Britain’s most rodent-plagued region shares insights into the rat empire with The Mirror.
The primary problem, according to Mick Muldoon from Pestforce, is that the British high street has undergone dramatic transformation. Where once stood a cobbler’s shop, there’s now a takeaway joint; where a bookshop once operated, there’s now a chain café.
This translates to increased food establishments lining our streets, consequently generating more food waste in rear alleyways, which in turn attracts more rats. However, there are measures we can implement to prevent them from invading our homes.
Mick works throughout North London – encompassing Britain’s most severely affected district – Camden. He noted it’s become routine to spot 40 rats in a single bin during daylight hours nowadays.
When Jessica Tisch, New York City’s sanitation commissioner said: “The rats are absolutely going to hate this announcement. But the rats don’t run this city, we do” – the statement became an internet sensation, reports the Mirror.
Yet in London, particularly Camden – the rodents do control the metropolis. The capital overall represents Britain’s most rat-infested location.
However, the borough recorded a staggering 9133 rat infestations between 2023 and 2025, according to The Drain Detectives.
Mick highlighted it wasn’t long since refuse collections occurred weekly – now they happen fortnightly. He explained this leads to local inhabitants effectively “fly tipping.”
This generates substantial food waste which draws in rodents.
He explained that a telltale indicator of rats on your property is birds of prey hovering above your garden – this suggests there are rodents lurking beneath.
Mick said: “We are in a perpetual cycle – the conditions are just so. Rats in particular are a very clever and adaptable animal. There are a lot of construction works that disturb rat nests – we are disrupting them and providing them with more food and harbourage.”
He explained that whilst rats ought to be nocturnal creatures, they are “becoming ever more comfortable around people because they don’t really have a predator anymore.”
One area Mick would steer clear of? Garden decking. He explained: “This provides fantastic conditions for rats.”
Another tip – avoid putting food down drains. Mick warned “nine out of ten times rats will access your home via drains.”
He suggested you should constantly check for any gaps in the building’s structure – “a hole the size of 50 pence piece is enough.”
He continued: “From a residential point of view – unkept vegetation will attract them.”
Mick highlighted the three key factors to bear in mind regarding rats. These essential three elements are all they require to survive and flourish.
He explained these are “food source, harbourage and water.”
However, ultimately he noted that it all simply boils down to “housekeeping.”
