Newcastle rats: Pest control expert says the number of city centre rodents is on the up

Tyneside's growing rat population will continue to rise unless the city cleans up its act, a pest control expert has warned.

Paul Allman, who runs his Problem Solved Pest Control firm across Newcastle and Gateshead, believes poor housekeeping and irresponsible waste is behind the increase in vermin crawling the streets.

Recent figures showed Newcastle City Council fielded 2,701 rat-related calls from January to October 2014 - an average of seven enquires a day, and a big increase on the 1,940 times they were called out about the rodents for the whole of 2013.

And online videos have highlighted the amount of rodents in the city centre, with the reported sightings of rats seemingly on the rise.

Paul believes there has been an increase in the amount of rat-related call outs across the city.

He said: I would agree there is a big increase in the rat population.

I have seen an increase in Rattus Norvegicus, know as the Norway Rat or Brown Rat.

There has been an increase in call outs to these in domestic properties, rural locations and commercial premises this year.

A rat is sexually mature at 12 to 16 weeks and the gestation period is 21 to 24 days, resulting in a litter size of six to 11 rodents.

The population of rats soon builds up with a litter of this size that can be sexually mature at just 12 weeks.

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Newcastle rats: Pest control expert says the number of city centre rodents is on the up