London is one of the world’s top tourist destinations and tourism to this city is worth billions of pounds. Despite this, the major tourist destinations are literally swamped by dozens of London pests.
These pests are disgusting, give the city a terrible image, and make it difficult to get sightseeing done. Just a few of these London pests include.
Pigeons
These are probably the most famous London pests and the city has a major problem with pigeons. It’s something you really have to see to believe. Hundreds and maybe even thousands of these birds infest popular tourist spots, begging for food. Sometimes there are so many that the entire ground is covered, and it’s difficult to walk or move around. One of the worst areas for pigeons is Hyde Park. There you will see dozens and dozens of these birds night and day.
The reason why this happens is because of the wide availability of food. There are often overflowing dustbins and picnic areas with food left behind. Also, tourists who are ignorant of the problem will also feed these birds. This only encourages and makes the problem a lot worse than it has to be.
Rats and mice
Rats and mice infest London’s top tourist hot spots. These include even the grandest of attractions such as Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster. Rodents also infest other tourist areas and every inch of the city itself. In fact, we’ve seen videos where there are literally dozens of rats and mice congregated around dustbins.
London provides the perfect breeding ground for these animals. There are more than enough hidden areas for them to live and breed. The most important of these places are the London sewers. There are millions of rats in London’s sewers, and it’s said that they can grow up to 20 inches long.
Even more terrifying is the fact that these rats can crawl through pipes, and come up into your toilet. This might sound fantastic – but it’s true. There are countless stories of rats who have entered bathrooms through the toilet. Even worse is the fact that these rats may carry diseases.
Another place where rats and mice are a problem is the London Underground. If you’ve ever used the Underground, then there’s a good chance you’ve seen rats and mice running around. These animals practically own the place and have no fear of humans whatsoever. In fact, it’s said that these furry London pests have reached, “epidemic” proportions.
Cockroaches
The city also has a serious problem with cockroaches. These bugs are everywhere, and you can often see them crawling around tourist areas at night. So if you’re going to visit London be careful of where you eat. Cockroaches may be present in almost every restaurant kitchen. From the most upmarket, to the most basic. It doesn’t help that London is a dark, wet city with many nooks and crannies, which cockroaches happen to love.
There are also miles and miles of sewers and the underground. This makes it extremely easy for these London pests to breed, and even harder to get rid of them. Bottom line: London’s top landmarks are literally heaving with pests.
Bed bugs
We’re sorry to say but London is also crawling with bed bugs. This problem is most likely to affect travellers who stay in hotels. Another reason why travellers get bed bugs is because most people who live in the city and encounter these pests, will call an exterminator.
In paid accommodation this often doesn’t happen, and the bugs are left to multiply. You’re now likely to find bed bugs in many London hotels and other places of accommodation. This includes even the fanciest hotels, right down to your local bed and breakfast.
Wasps
Although not as big a problem as other pests, wasps are present in London. These London pests are especially prevalent during the warm Summer months. Certain wasps are fond of human food, which is why they are often found hovering around dustbins in tourist areas. If you’re visiting an outdoor area like St. James park or Hyde park, be careful when throwing away garbage.
