A pest controller in Normanby, Teesside, has discovered a 22-inch (56cm) rat, surpassing the 21-inch 'Dorset mega-rat' of 2018. The rodent, found in a home, is nearly as long as an average cat (excluding tail) and weighs considerably more than typical rats, which measure 6-11 inches.
Local councillor David Taylor described the infestation as a 'growing problem,' attributing it to overflowing public bins and overgrown vegetation. The discovery comes amid a global surge in rat populations, with research published in January showing significant increases in 11 cities worldwide, including a 390% rise in Washington DC and 300% in San Francisco.
In the UK, similar conditions—warmer temperatures, growing urban populations, and waste management cuts—are driving the crisis. A recent bin strike in Birmingham reportedly created a 'banquet' of refuse for rats. Rats cause an estimated $27bn in damage annually in the US alone, carry zoonotic diseases like salmonella and leptospirosis, and negatively impact mental health in affected communities.
Rats are highly fertile, adaptable, and can survive on as little as an ounce of food daily. Management strategies include poisoning, trapping, and limiting food sources, but experts warn that controlling the population is an uphill battle.
