Aggressive rats big enough for ‘a saddle’ invade Dublin and its suburbs, wrecking cars and homes

Not only the rats bigger, but so are their numbers, as they reportedly take to the streets, infest homes, occupy gardens and gnaw their way into parked cars. (ShutterStock)

Big, hungry, aggressive and largely unopposed rats took to the streets of Dublin during the pandemic, while pest control resources were limited by the pandemic.

Now, according to the Irish Times the city and its suburbs are battling an infestation of rodents big enough for a “saddle” by one City Council member’s estimation.

Not only are the rats bigger, but so are their numbers, as they reportedly take to the streets, infest homes, occupy gardens and make their way into parked cars, where they’ve ruined engines.

Sinn Féin Councillor Daniel Céitinn describes what he feels could become another health emergency coinciding with the coronavirus pandemic.

“(Rats) are nesting in broken drains and seem to be becoming more aggressive in their search for food," he said of the inner-city parts of southern Dublin. “They’re also getting into cars and ruining the engines.”

Former mayor and current Dublin Councilwoman Críona Ní Dhalaigh told the Irish Times that old housing is especially vulnerable to rats, some of which are so large “you would only be short of putting a saddle on them.”

City officials believe a lack of human traffic and illegal dumping has facilitated a “large increase” in Dublin’s rodent population. Resources for the city’s Health Service Executive, which handles pet control, were restricted during the pandemic lockdown, leaving rats somewhat unchallenged.

While the use of traps and poisons had been limited in recent months, vermin control workers are getting back into their routine this week.

Rat infestations are not just a problem in the city.

A lack of auto and pedestrian traffic in some suburbs has emboldened sewer-dwelling rats, who have reportedly chewed through brickwork surrounding manholes and made their way from the sewers to the streets.

Fianna Fáil party politician Racheal Batten said a lack of human activity appears to have given rats “a better chance to breed,” she said. Councilwoman Noeleen Reilly said in the northern suburb of Ballymun, people taking it upon themselves to get rid of their trash has brought out the rodents.

“I’ve never seen illegal dumping as bad, and that is definitely leading to an increase in rats," she said.

The Health Service Executive told the Irish Times that during the lockdown, its ability to enter people’s apartments was limited, though they laid traps where they could before the Emerald Isle untied their hands Monday so they could address the problem on a larger scale.