Brief
Rentokil reports 15% rise in summer rat sightings across UK
The increase is linked to hotter, drier weather and dense urban environments, according to Rentokil.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Rentokil, the UK’s leading pest‑control company, said reported rat sightings between June and August were up 15% year‑on‑year, coinciding with the country’s hottest summer on record. Five cities recorded double‑digit rises, with Manchester leading the trend.
Inquiries for rodent control grew 26% in Manchester, followed by Oxford (24%) and Leeds & Bradford (23%). The firm attributed the surge to hotter, drier conditions that drive rats to travel farther for water, as well as the dense, “24/7” nature of modern cities that provide food and shelter.
To challenge the stigma that rats only appear in dirty premises, Rentokil unveiled an art installation in Manchester called “Under Our Feet”, created by artists 3D Joe & Max. Paul Blackhurst, head of Rentokil’s Technical Academy, explained that rats do not discriminate between clean and dirty buildings and that early reporting can prevent larger infestations.
A Rentokil‑commissioned survey found 43% of Britons are frightened of encountering a rat, while 65% have seen one in the past year. Yet 35% still associate rat presence with dirtiness, and 53% would feel embarrassed to admit a sighting at home. One‑third said they might consider selling a property if a rat problem emerged, and 54% would try to handle it themselves before notifying anyone else.
Blackhurst warned that “rodenticide resistance” is emerging as a new challenge for pest control, citing mapping from the Rodenticide Resistance Action Committee that shows growing resistance among rat populations.
Key facts
- Reported rat sightings rose 15% year‑on‑year over June‑August 2026. (standard.co.uk)
- Manchester saw a 26% increase in rodent‑control inquiries, the highest among UK cities. (standard.co.uk)
- Rentokil launched the "Under Our Feet" art installation in Manchester to debunk myths about rats. (standard.co.uk)
- A Rentokil survey found 43% of Britons fear rats, 65% have seen one in the past year, and 35% link rats to uncleanliness. (standard.co.uk)
- Rodenticide resistance is becoming a growing problem, according to mapping by the RRAC. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Reported summer rat sightings up 15% on last year – Rentokil”
