The BBC reports that there have been more than 66,000 pest reports and complaints made to councils and housing authorities across Northern Ireland since 2020.

It comes as some business owners in County Tyrone are calling for action to be taken over the presence of rats near their shops in Dungannon town centre.

The engineering company Centum submitted plans to build flats and shops in the area where the rats have been seen, but their submission has been subject to a legal challenge, which has stalled the project. A spokesperson for the company said that issue such as rodents, were "entirely predictable given long-term disrepair linked to stalled development. …This is not neglect; it is the direct consequence of delay.”

Belfast City Council is the only council to offer a free pest control service, focusing mainly on rats and mice. In a statement Mid Ulster council said: "Councils are not legally required to provide a pest control service, however, to ensure our district is kept free from infestations so far as is reasonably practicable, our environmental health department provides advice, support and, where necessary, enforcement to address any reported issues."

The response from the council and the company Centum is totally unacceptable both have a responsibility to the people and business owners in the area. The company cannot simply shrug their shoulders and say, “that is what happens because of long term disrepair” if they own the properties in the area, then they have a responsibility to deal with these issues. The Council also have a responsibility to the rate payers to use all enforcement measures at their disposal to deal with what has clearly become a public health issue.