Author: TLC Pest Control
Location: Birmingham, UK
💬 “This isn’t a second city — it’s a health hazard.”
That’s the honest verdict from Locky, one of our senior pest control specialists here at TLC Pest Control, after spending another week dealing with the fallout of Birmingham’s ongoing bin strike. We’re now into week 15, and the situation on the ground is nothing short of disgraceful.
What was once the UK’s proud second city is now overrun with waste, disease-carrying pests, and genuine health risks for residents and workers alike. And let’s be clear — this isn’t an exaggeration. This is based on what we’re seeing, every day, on the frontlines.
🐀 A 400% Increase in Rats – 18 Million Estimated
Since the strike began, the number of rodent sightings and callouts has skyrocketed. Based on urban rat reproduction rates, waste levels, and reported activity, we estimate Birmingham is now home to over 18 million rats.
That’s a 400% increase — and 16 million more rats than there are people in this city.
Rats are drawn to the endless piles of uncollected rubbish strewn across pavements, alleyways, and around residential bins. With no signs of resolution in sight, they’re breeding rapidly and settling into urban infrastructure.
This isn’t just unpleasant — it’s dangerous.
🦠 The Invisible Threat: Rat Droppings and Airborne Disease
While people worry about what they can see, it’s what you can’t see that’s often worse. Rat droppings, once dried, break down into fine particles that can become airborne. When breathed in, these particles can spread harmful bacteria and viruses, including Hantavirus, Leptospirosis, and Salmonella.
This means just walking near infested areas could pose a health risk — especially for children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory conditions.
☀️ Summer Heat and the Rise in Bluebottle Flies
As if the rat problem wasn’t enough, the warmer weather is fuelling another pest surge — bluebottle flies. These flies breed in decomposing organic matter, like the rotting food left in uncollected bins.
Once airborne, they act as tiny flying disease carriers, contaminating every surface they land on — from door handles to food packaging.
😷 Residents Left to “Live in Filth”
We speak to residents every day, and the message is the same: “We pay our council tax, and we’re literally living in squalor.”
They’ve had enough. Overflowing bins, fly-tipping, vermin in alleyways, and the ever-present stench of rot are becoming part of daily life. Parents are scared to let children play outside. Businesses are losing trade. And those of us working in pest control are having to escalate treatments that, in many cases, wouldn’t have been necessary if waste was being managed properly.
🔧 TLC Pest Control: Doing What We Can
We’re out in Birmingham every single day, tackling rat infestations, fly problems, and the spread of contamination. But as Locky says — “You can’t beat the problem when it’s being fed 24/7.”
Our message to the council is simple: this is no longer a political issue — it’s a public health emergency.
📣 Final Thoughts
Birmingham is one of the UK’s most diverse, energetic, and historic cities — but right now, it’s being let down. Not by its people, but by the systems that are supposed to protect them.
We urge local leaders to act — urgently — before this crisis becomes irreversible.
🛠️ Need Emergency Pest Control?
If you’re in Birmingham and worried about rats, flies, or other infestations, contact TLC Pest Control today. We offer:
- Rapid response pest control
- Commercial and residential treatment plans
- Safe and humane methods
- Ongoing prevention and support
📞 Call us now or visit www.tlcpest-control.co.uk
🔖 Tags & Hashtags: