'Invasion of rats' in homes after rainfall

RAT activity in UK properties has significantly increased over the last year, thought to be due to a record hot summer and exacerbated by recent wet weather.

- By JOSIE CLARKE

Rentokil Pest Control said it had recorded a 10% year-on-year increase in confirmed rodent activity, with large regional spikes in Northern Ireland and northern England.

Northern Ireland recorded the largest increase of 26%, followed by Yorkshire (20%) and northwest England (19%).

Several other regions, including the West Midlands (16%) and Scotland (14%), also had double-digit rises.

Rentokil said longer-term climate patterns could be contributing to the increase, including 2025 being the UK's warmest year on record.

It said milder weather could increase rat reproduction by extending their breeding season and leading to larger populations.