Britons have been warned to brace for a surge in rat activity following an unusually wet start to 2026. Persistent rain across the United Kingdom has left soils saturated and burrow networks flooded across large parts of the UK, displacing rats and increasing the likelihood of infestations.

Pest control experts Rentokil said it had recorded a 10% year-on-year increase in confirmed rodent activity, with Northern Ireland and northern England amongst the worst affected areas. Northern Ireland saw a 26% increase in activity while the north of England saw a rise of 20%, followed by north-west England with 19%. Other regions also saw a double-digit increase, with the West Midlands and Scotland seeing increased levels of rodent activity of 16% and 14% respectively.

Official figures from the Met Office show rainfall this winter has been well above average.

Southern England recorded its fourth-wettest winter on record while across the remainder of the country, rainfall was around 42% higher than the long-term average between December and February.

Scotland and Northern Ireland also saw above-average totals while much of Wales was 20% wetter than normal.

Several regions reported record or near-record rainfall. Cornwall had its wettest January on record. Northern Ireland saw its second wettest in 149 years.

In many areas, rain fell almost daily, leaving the ground saturated.

Pest control experts say such conditions are ideal for rats. Heavy rain and flooding can wash out underground burrows and drainage systems, forcing rodents to seek higher, drier ground which is often inside homes, sheds and outbuildings.

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Recent industry data suggests a broader upward trend in rodent problems.

Surveys from the National Pest Technicians Association and others have reported national rat activity increases of around 30-40 % in recent seasons, with pest professionals warning that mild, wet conditions help rats breed earlier and remain active for longer than usual.

Public health authorities are urging homeowners to take simple prevention steps, such as sealing gaps in buildings, keeping food waste securely bagged and clearing debris where rodents can hide.

With gardens and ground floors often waterlogged after weeks of rain, attention to proofing properties before the spring breeding peak could help curb infestations.