Mapped: Worst areas for rat infestations in the UK as over half a million reported
New data, more than three million rats invasions were reported in the UK.
Drainage experts said that the problem is worse, because the problem is now underground – for giving a potentially a warning about fatal health hazards connected to rodents.
The analysis of the answers of the Freedom of information from the British councils (FOI) showed that the country had 518,240 reported rats from 2025 to mid -2025.
Approximately one quarter of them was only in London and followed by about 95,000 and 70,000 invasions, respectively, in the north -west of England and Scotland.
Stuart mcginn, drainage specialist Drainage detectivesProducing the research, explained Independent There is no single reason behind the regional differences in rats invasions, but summarized several basic factors that create excellent conditions in certain areas.
He said: “As in London, urban density is one of the largest drivers with a complex underground drainage and old infrastructure network that rats can easily benefit from. More people are equal to more food waste, garbage storage and large conditions for the development of rats and rodents.
“In addition to only populated cities, some regions with higher number of invasions, such as the parts of the North West or Scotland, have many aging buildings with outdated drainage systems. When cracks or unused pipes appear, the rats only need the smallest access points and then follow the food and temperature directly to homes and commercial areas.
“It can also be argued that regional variations in rats invasions may fall into warmer, more wet air patterns in certain parts of the UK. Lightly seasons, rats reproduction, especially underground, invasions can be kept quickly.”
The Drenaj company carried out an analysis using 195 usable response from 251 FOIS, and demanded data on its buildings, especially the council. Independent He mapped the above research by showing areas with the highest and lowest number of rats invasion.
With 44,762 invasion, West Midlands and 44,388 invasion won fourth and fifth in the winter rankings.
Meanwhile, Councils in less densely populated regions such as East Midlands and South West England have still reported more than 10,000 cases each, which shows that the problem is not only urban.
Fresh figures come as a rats that are thought to be the largest in England and caught by pest controllers in a house in the north of England. The giant animal, which was measured 22 -inch long, was found in the Normanby region of Redcar and Cleveland after a residence called in those who destroyed.
Don’t write IndependentSenior -capture David Parnell admitted that he was surprised by the members of the Assembly that he was surprised to see the images of the rodent, defined as the size of an almost small cat ”.
However, he warned them to support themselves for a worsening of the British: “This is not only one-time, but the big ones are bigger, more brave and harder.
“In the past, a few information for the rats in the houses has now increased to eight to 10 a week. The majority of these invasions extend to our neglected drainage systems.”
Evacuation detectives, rats, especially unhealed joints, unused pipes or rating blockers without features of the toilet back to the toilet to obtain access to buildings often use damaged or aging drainage systems.
After entering, according to the company, they can nest on the walls or lofts, chew without wiring and pollute the insulation that lead to fire hazards and severe hygiene risks.
In addition to bad sewage management, Mr. Parnell accused genetic and careless people of growing problems.
Mak McGinn said, “Rats are more than just one boredom, a threat to public health and infrastructure.
“We see an increasing number of invasions entering the houses through drains, we see a largely concealed route until it is too late. Rats are incredibly resourceful. They can travel in underground pipes, most people do not realize that a cracked drainage under their homes may be an open invitation to a complete infestation.”
Among the health hazards associated with rodents are leptospirosis (Weil’s disease) – a potentially fatal bacterial infection, primarily from the urine of infected animals, especially the fatal handavirus that can be caught from breathing in contaminated waste particles of rats – and rats. Others contain allergies triggered by Salmonella and Rat Bran and urine, which spread through contaminine food.
Mr. McGinn said that the prevention started under the ground and called on the hosts and property managers of the UK to take proactive steps. “If you hear the drawing on the walls or if you notice the unimaginable odors, don’t ignore it,” he said.
The Spokesman of the Local Government Association said: “Councils take their responsibilities on public health very seriously and are working hard to respond to all reports of pest problems in public lands and council properties, but they often demanded an increase in pest control services in some regions, including increasing urban density and warmer weather conditions.
“Even though the responsibility of pest control in private homes and enterprises belongs to the owner or the landlord, keeping our communities safe requires a common effort from a number of partners, including individual households, landlords, water companies, water companies and developers.
A MHCLG spokesman said: “The rats of people in their homes are completely disgusting, and all private and social hosts should ensure that their properties are suitable for human settlement and are far from dangerous conditions, including pests.
“We shorten the unacceptable conditions for everyone to live in a safe and safe house. This includes AWAAB laws as part of ten years of renovation in social houses and social housing. In addition, we also see a updated houses for updated good houses standard.”
