THE population of rats in Bournemouth has increased thanks to quiet urban areas and large amounts of waste food, according to a pest control company.

It has been reported by Pest.co.uk that there are now 405,459 rats across the borough, which equates to 2.2 rats for every resident.

“They say you are only ever 6ft away from a rat – and in typical 2020 fashion it’s now more likely in Bournemouth than ever this year," said Jenny Rathbone of firm Pest.co.uk.

Rats have enjoyed a bumper year, breeding like crazy during lockdown and making their nests in vacant buildings in quiet streets with poor waste practices.

The number of rat infestations call outs this year has increased 25 per cent, Pest.co.uk reported.

Ms Rathbone added: "We are seeing a huge increase in rat problems throughout Bournemouth as lockdown has really helped them breed in relative peace with closed properties with poor waste management practices providing them with plentiful food and shelter”, reports Rathbone.

Rats can typically have six litters of between six and 12 pups each year and a group of rats carries the unamusing nickname of a “mischief”, giving a clue to the damage and chaos a large infestation can cause.