They are rife around Coles supermarket and Wodonga Pharmacy next door.

Rats have even run across the feet of customers at the pharmacy — 30 have been trapped there in three weeks.

It is believed there could be a link between the rise of the rats and major excavation works for the nearby Elgin Boulevard realignment.

A Wodonga Council spokesman said there “appears” to be an increase in rodents in the central business district.

“Road and demolition works could have disturbed nests, but it is hard to pinpoint an exact cause for an apparent increase in rodent populations,” the spokesman said.

“The long, hot and dry summer has also provided perfect breeding conditions for rodents and other pests.

“The continuing warmer weather could exacerbate the problem while also building on the desperate hunt for food, leading to more sightings in open areas.”

Contractors moved into High Street on January 15 to start the $4.3 million realignment, closing the street from Elgin Boulevard to Bond Street for a new intersection.

The stench of the rodents has been enough to stop several customers entering the pharmacy.

“It’s a massive problem,” a pharmacy worker said.

Regional manager Stuart Porter said Coles knew the community had been dealing with a surge in the number of pests.

“At Coles, we have increased the normal cleaning and sanitisation processes in our Wodonga store, including maintaining the highest level of pest control,” he said.

“Working with a great team, we continue to provide the clean and healthy in-store environment that Coles customers expect.”

Rentokil consultant Jamarl O’Sullivan said Coles had realised from day one the roadworks could pose a problem for a food-laden supermarket.

“We have done 50 days straight of servicing Coles,” he said.

Mr O’Sullivan said Rentokil had worked closely with Coles on a concerted, daily program combining bait stations and searching for and blocking access points.

“That’s not pushing rodents to other areas,” he said.

Instead, Mr O’Sullivan said the rats now plaguing other business owners were most likely coming from nests disturbed by the roadworks.

“A lot of shops are starting to see activity,” he said.

Mr O’Sullivan said Coles had up to 50 in-store baiting stations and up to 25 in the store’s roof cavity.

Early on, all stations showed signs of rats feeding but, by Monday, that had been cut to just three.

The council spokesman said residents with concerns should contact the council. It would inspect the area and have pest controllers tackle any problem.

“Residents and business should ensure buildings are vermin-proof, take care handling food and inspect and clean any unused areas,” the spokesman said.