A sharp increase in rat infestations has seen a Wellington-based pest control company employ more staff to cope with numbers.
Photo: AFP
There has been an increase in the rodents since summer due to the warm weather in Wellington.
Pest-proof usually employs four people in the field but has hired two more to cope with a 30 percent increase in business this year.
The company's main exterminator, Paul Chapman, said one client had major water problems because of rats .
"The rodents had been chewing on water pipes in the building and causing floods. they had to call the plumbers four times within a week to fix the issue."
Mr Chapman said most rats got into houses through the roof, so people should make sure their trees were trimmed at least a metre back from the flashing.