For the first time on record, rats are Britain’s most called-out pest. Our latest figures show rat callouts jumped 43 per cent year on year - from 5,087 to 7,271 jobs in the past 12 months, an increase of 2,184 - pushing rats past wasps (7,194) to the top of the table. And that growth comes on top of what was already our busiest year on record, so this is records built on records rather than a rebound from a quiet spell.
Why rat numbers are climbing
Several things are pushing rats up the rankings at once. Milder, wetter conditions help more young survive through the year, so populations do not get the hard winter knock-back they once did. Food waste remains abundant, and construction and roadworks routinely disturb established harbourages, sending rats looking for new territory - often into homes and businesses nearby. The result is that rodent pressure is no longer a purely autumn-and-winter concern; it now runs closer to year-round.
Where we are seeing the biggest rises
The growth is genuinely nationwide. On a like-for-like basis, we have seen strong year-on-year increases in demand across Leeds, Cambridge, Derby, Brighton and Tunbridge Wells, among others. Rats are highly adaptable and will exploit almost any environment that offers food, water and shelter, from city centres to leafy suburbs.
The signs of a rat problem
- Droppings, usually dark and tapered, along walls, under sinks or near food.
- Gnaw marks on wood, plastic, cabling or packaging.
- Scratching or scurrying sounds in walls, ceilings or under floors, often at night.
- A distinctive stale, musky smell in enclosed spaces.
- Runs, smears or nesting material in lofts, cavities, sheds or under decking.
Why DIY often falls short
Shop-bought traps and baits can catch the odd rat, but they rarely resolve an infestation, because they do not address how the rats are getting in or where they are nesting. Rats are neophobic - wary of new objects - and can also carry resistance to some common rodenticides, so amateur treatment frequently drives the problem out of sight rather than out of the building. Proofing the entry points is usually the part that gets missed.
Deal with rats properly
JG Pest Control is one of the UK’s largest pest control firms and the highest rated on Trustpilot, with a 4.8 out of 5 rating from more than 25,000 reviews. Our RSPH (BPCA) Level 2 qualified technicians survey the property, treat the infestation and proof the entry points so the rats cannot simply return, with same-day callouts available across the country. If you suspect rats, get in touch and we will deal with it at source.