Anyone who lives in a major urban centre like London will already know that pests are a major problem. Whether it’s rats, pigeons, cockroaches, or bed bugs, pests seem to thrive in the city. Ultimately, this means that pest control is needed more in urban settings. But why is this? Are pests simply attracted to cities? The answer is yes and here’s why:
Why pest control is needed more in large cities
1. Increase in rubbish
Large urban centres generate tons of rubbish. According to statistics,a Place like London creates 18 million tons of rubbish per year. Much of this rubbish is food waste, and it’s this waste which attracts pests. Aside from household waste, you have rubbish left behind in public areas, such as parks or takeaways. Now compare this to a small village which may only generate negligible amounts of waste.
2. More businesses
Many pests feed exclusively from restaurants and takeaways, says Mickala Stanford from Best Pest Control, a local London pest control firm that is familiar with the city. These pests rummage through the rubbish night after night and grow fat on what they find. Because bigger areas have more restaurants, they can also support a larger population of pests. For example, London has tens of thousands of restaurants, and these restaurants feed millions of pests. And it’s not only restaurants. Pests also target shops, warehouses, or any business where there is food and shelter.
3. Cities are dirty
Pests love filth and the unfortunate fact is that most cities such as London are filthy. To start with, you have things like pollution from factories, cars, buses, or ships. Then there’s the filth generated by thousands or millions of people living together. Add to this the rubbish generated by these people, and it’s easy to see why pests love cities. Many cities also have a problem with sanitation. Yes, they may wash the streets once in a while, but this really isn’t enough to drive away pests.
4. More places to hide in cities
Take, for example, the pigeons of London. One of the many reasons why there are so many pigeons in London is because of living space. There are thousands upon thousands of rooftops where pigeons can live, breed, and roost. Then you have the sewers of London which stretch on forever, and are inhabited by millions of rats. Add to this the thousands of flats where cockroaches and bed bugs live. These are only three examples, and there are dozens more. Essentially, there are millions of nooks and crannies in cities where pests can hide away.
4. Cities are international travel hubs
Many cities serve as international travel hubs. A city like London receives more than 30 million visitors a year. These visitors arrive by plane, ship, lorry, or boat, and they often bring unwelcome guests. This can include things like rats who arrive on ships, or bed bugs returning with overseas travellers. In fact, London is notorious for its problem with bed bugs. These bugs have been endemic for hundreds of years and infest all areas of the city.
5. There’s simply too much to do
Running large cities is breathtakingly complex. There are hundreds of tasks which must be carried out. From maintaining the water and electrical supply, to handling sewerage, policing, and housing. Pest control is not a top priority, and pests only become important once they cause a nuisance. This means that for the most part, pests are simply left to run wild.
