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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Business
Josie Clarke

Hot rodent summer: Rat sightings surge in the UK amid record heatwaves

Rentokil United Kingdom Paul Blackhurst
Almost one third (31 per cent) of people said they would consider selling their property if they had a rat problem.. - (Getty/iStock)

Pest control firm Rentokil recorded a 15 per cent year-on-year increase in reported rat sightings between June and August, coinciding with the UK's hottest summer on record.

Five UK cities registered double-digit growth in rodent calls between 2024 and 2025, with Manchester experiencing the largest rise, the company stated.

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