Commuter trains 'full of cockroaches'

15th of April 2010
Commuter trains 'full of cockroaches'

The average commuter train contains up to 1,000 cockroaches, while seats can contain 200 bedbugs and 200 fleas. Pest control specialist Rentokil has warned that infestations on public transport are at an all-time high after carrying out investigations on the public transport network in London and the surrounding area.

The company's staff sprayed insecticide throughout the carriages of a train and a bus and then counted the bodies of insects. “The average commuter will always be close to cockroaches, bedbugs and fleas,” said Rentokil's Savvas Othon. “People eat on the move, and there is a lot of food left on seats. Pests are thriving."

A spokesman for Transport for London (TfL) said in response: "Rentokil has provided us with no evidence to support these claims and have not been in touch with us. London Underground's hygiene specialists undertake full examinations of trains and have found no evidence of any infestation.

Deep cleaned

"Our trains are cleaned after every working day and deep cleaned every 14 days. Likewise, London's bus fleet is cleaned after every shift and buses are deep cleaned every month.”
Rentokil said it is in talks with bus and Tube operators about a new cleaning system it has developed which heats the vehicles to kill the insects and their eggs.

 

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