Pest control experts report a massive surge in rat infestations across the UK as the summer 2026 heatwave drives rodent activity. Callouts have risen 80% over the past five to seven years, according to Nick Robertson from HF Pest Control, and Rentokil recorded an 11% jump in June alone compared to the previous month.
Heat and poor sanitation fuel rat boom
Nick Robertson attributed the rise to milder winters: 'Basically we don’t have cold winters any more, so they’re breeding all year round. I don’t know when the last time we had a really cold winter. Last year I think it dropped under zero for about a week or two weeks, if that, so it’s genuinely warm all year round now and climate change has caused a big problem with the increase of rats.' He also blamed overflowing bins and litter in parks, saying 'the rats have increased because of the way our society is at the moment.'
New laws restrict rat control methods
A recent law change made it a criminal offence in England for unlicensed operators to set glue traps for rodents. Only professional rodent controllers under exceptional circumstances and licence may use them. Additionally, new rules this year ban farmers from buying rodenticides unless they provide proof of training and certification. A BASF Pest Control Solutions survey found rodent activity affects all farms, with over 60% facing simultaneous rat and mouse infestations.
‘Humane’ traps still kill, warns scientist
Professor Steven Belmain of the University of Greenwich cautioned that live-trapping and releasing rats elsewhere is not humane. 'When you take a rat from one habitat, and you release it somewhere else, you’re actually causing that rat quite a lot of stress. You’ve put it into a new place where it’s not familiar with the surroundings, it’s still going to have to find food and shelter. Unfortunately, even though there are good intentions, you’re probably killing that rat anyway.' He urged improved sanitation as the most welfare-friendly approach.
Health risks from rat infestations
Professor Belmain confirmed rats are a health hazard: 'Oh yes definitely. So we’ve all just been through a pandemic caused by diseases transmitted by animals, so Coronaviruses we know came from bats, but rodents also transmit many many diseases. It’s a very long list. In the UK we have issues with a disease called leptospirosis or Weil’s disease and that is found in this country.' He added that food-borne illnesses like Salmonella and E.coli can be transmitted via rat contamination, advising people handling dead rats to wear gloves and wash hands.
