Manchester has recorded the biggest rise in rodent enquiries of any major UK city, according to new data from
Rentokil
Pest Control. The latest full-year data* recorded by Rentokil from (Jan-Dec 2024) and (Jan-Dec 2025) found that Manchester saw the largest increase in enquiries at
26% year-on-year, followed by Oxford (24%) and Leeds & Bradford (23%)*, as changing urban environments and the ready availability of food, water and shelter continue to give rats opportunities to thrive.
To bring the scale of the issue to light, Rentokil has today unveiled ‘Under our Feet’, a
new art installation designed to challenge the common misconception that activity means a home or business is dirty.
“Rats don’t distinguish between a clean building and a dirty one,”
says Paul Blackhurst, Head of Technical Academy at Rentokil Pest Control. “They need food, water, warmth and shelter, and can enter properties through compromised sewers, weaknesses in buildings or neighbouring premises.
“Under Our Feet is about challenging those misconceptions. Rat problems can happen anywhere, so there’s no reason to be embarrassed. Speaking up and acting early can stop a
small problem from becoming a major infestation.”
Rats adapt
When looking at 2026 figures to date, Rentokil has recorded a UK-wide 15% year-on-year rise** in reported rat activity during the summer months (June – August),
as the UK experienced its hottest summer on record. The data suggests that rodent populations could continue to increase as the climate changes.
“Rats are incredibly adaptable, and the weather can have a big influence on their behaviour,” says Blackhurst. “A brown rat needs around 60ml of water every day, so during
a hot, dry summer they may travel further to find it, bringing them closer to homes, businesses and other reliable water sources.
“Now, as we head into the colder season, that behaviour shifts again. Rats start looking for sheltered places where they can find the resources they need to survive, and this can
bring them into our homes and business premises. That’s why autumn and winter are traditionally a busy period for rat activity, and why we anticipate seeing more enquiries and reports of rats in the media over the coming months.”
The rat in the room
But while more rats may be seen in and near properties as temperatures fall, many people would still rather not talk about a rat problem. Rats are the UK’s most feared pest, with
43%*** of Brits scared of encountering one, and new Rentokil research has found that more than six in ten (65%) have personally seen a rat in the past 12 months****.
Despite how common sightings are, stigma remains. More than a third (35%) believe having rats in a home or business means it is dirty, while more than half (53%) would be embarrassed
to tell other people if they had a rat problem at home. Almost one third (31%) of people said they would consider selling their property if they had a rat problem.
That stigma could also stop people from speaking up, with 54% saying they would try to deal with a rat problem themselves before telling anyone else.
A new challenge for rat control
Alongside changing rat behaviour, rodenticide resistance is creating a new challenge for pest control. Mapping from the
Rodenticide Resistance Action Committee (RRAC) shows resistant rat populations across the UK, with several different genetic mutations identified.
Resistance can be passed from parent to offspring, meaning it can become established in local rat populations and make some commonly used rodenticides less effective.
“People shouldn’t be embarrassed to speak up or ask for help if they spot the signs of rats,”
says Blackhurst. “Rat problems can happen anywhere, and acting early can stop a small problem becoming a much bigger one.
“At the same time, the way we tackle rats has to keep evolving. There isn’t one answer to every infestation, particularly as we learn more about rodenticide resistance. Professional
pest control is about understanding the problem, choosing the right approach and acting quickly.”
As part of that evolving approach, Rentokil today launches
Eliminair, a new rodenticide-free solution that uses air-driven technology to control rats without relying on rodenticide active ingredients. This means its method of control is not affected by genetic resistance to rodenticides, while reducing reliance
on chemical treatments and the potential risks they can pose to non-target wildlife.