第2833期:Rat populations rise in cities

The British Pest Control Association says its members have recorded an increase in complaints about rat activity around the UK. Cleankill, a company that operates in the south of England, says it's seen a 20% rise in call-outs about rats in the last two years, and climate change may be playing a role.英国虫害防治协会称，其成员记录了英国各地对老鼠的活动情况投诉数量的增长。一家在英格兰南部地区开展业务的名为 “Cleankill” 的公司称，他们在过去两年中发现由老鼠引起的呼叫请求上升了 20%，而气候变化可能是其中一个原因。A study published earlier this year of 16 cities around the world, mostly in North America, found a strong link between rising temperatures and rat activity. The researchers believe warmer winters enable rats to reproduce more rapidly.今年早些时候发布的一项针对全球 16 座主要分布在北美洲的城市的研究发现气温上升和老鼠的活动情况之间有密切联系。研究人员认为，更温暖的冬季让老鼠能以更快的速度繁殖。But there are also other issues at play. Pest controllers say our overflowing bins, fractured communities and growing appetite for fast food all allow rats to thrive.不过依然有其它因素在发挥作用。害虫防治人员表示，人们满当当的垃圾桶、分崩离析的社区关系和快餐食品盛行都让老鼠得以快速成长。