Mice are a big part of life in London. And London's poor waste management, rodenticide resistance, old buildings or lack of predators may all play a role in London's mouse problem.
London mice are resistant to rodenticide
Because of the scale of London's problem, mice have now become resident to poison for rodents.
Extended use of rodenticides has lead to resistance for London's mice
Because of the widespread use of poisons to control London's rodent population, mice have become resistant to traditional rodenticides.
Because London is a lot bigger than most European cities, it also has more mice
Larger cities provide more living space for mice
Though some people love to label London as one huge, mouse-infested health and safety hazard, many fail to acknowledge that the city's sprawling size means more pests of all kinds.
London removes many of the survival threats mice ordinarily face in the wild.
Fewer predators and more food means more mice
In their natural, rural environment, mouse populations are curtailed by an extensive array of predators and a limited food supply. In an urban setting such as London, such population restrictions are no longer a factor.
London's poor waste management contributes to rodent problems
Seeing bags overflowing with rubbish is a common site on London streets. Other European cites have more sanitary waste management systems, limiting mice's food supplies.
London's poor waste management led to its mice infestation
Since the bubonic plague, London's attempts at waste management have always been a hair behind what is necessary. This delayed approach to waste management has attracted mice.