The New Plague

Rats! exclaimed the famous poem The Pied Piper Of Hamelin.

The poem's author, Robert Browning, was describing the legendary plague of rats in the German town of Hamelin in the 14th century, where "great rats, small rats, lean rats, brawny rats, brown rats, black rats, grey rats, tawny rats" came tumbling out of houses before the Piper drowned them all in the river.

In Britain we are no stranger to the unwanted rodents – they famously contributed to the Great Plague of 1665 – but such large-scale infestations are no longer confined to myth or history.

New statistics have been released which suggest that Britain's rat population could surge to 20 million next year, outnumbering the 6 million residents by three to one. That's three rats "cocking tails and pricking whiskers" for each of us. It is a worrying outlook. Rats can transmit a number of serious diseases, including Weil's disease and salmonella, and can contaminate food and damage buildings by gnawing and burrowing. They are adaptable, highly mobile and breed rapidly – one pair of rodents can result in a staggering 2,000 offspring a year.

So who's to blame for the predicted rat boom? Rodent numbers have been rising since weekly bin collections were scrapped in favour of fortnightly ones and due to a series of mild winters. But one of the main reasons that numbers are set to soar is, according to the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA), because cash-strapped councils are axing free pest control services.

If the Government doesn't allocate more money to the problem we will be overrun by vermin. Gordon Brown must act and effectively pay the piper.

"The reduction and removal of free pest control by councils is without doubt, leading to an explosion in rodent numbers," says John Davison from the NPTA. "An increasing number of councils now make residents pay for the service and with Christmas approaching, many simply can't afford it. It is possible that numbers could reach 20 million next year."

The problem is that we are producing a tremendous amount of food waste, far more than five years ago. Fewer bin collections mean bags are left on the ground for rats to rip open. It has also resulted in a surge in fly-tipping, which is a food source for rats, and has also led to people putting more food into waste disposal units. This goes into the sewers where many rats live.

The only dominant species of rat in Britain is the common Norway or brown rat. Adults are 8-11 inches long with a tail of a further 8 inches. They typically have brownish fur on their backs with grey underneath and will live anywhere with food, water and shelter. In homes they live in loft spaces, wall cavities, cellars or under floorboards. In gardens they burrow into compost heaps, grassy banks or under sheds.

Councils have a legal obligation to control rodents but are not required to do it themselves. Councils are directing residents to private contractors, who charge up to £100. Many people do nothing or take matters into their own hands – which can be unwise.

Signs of rat infestation include the presence of droppings, footprints in damp soil or dust and burrows in the ground.