Are there more rats in London than ever? Expert rodent pest control and rat control services in London.
London is seeing a surge in rat activity. Rats in homes, rats in gardens, to rats in business premises across the city. If you’re dealing with rodents in your property, Mercury Pest Control provides expert rodent pest control in London, using proven rodent deterrents to stop rat infestations at the source. Whether you’re searching for rodent control services near you, urgent help with rats inside the house, or reliable commercial pest solutions across London, our team delivers long-term results to keep rats out for good.
There’s a theory doing the rounds lately, if you’ve been walking the streets of London, you have probably felt it too.
Are there more rats than ever in London? And are they getting… bigger?
Whether it’s conversations with friends, or local Reddit threads, you’ll have heard plenty of Londoners sharing sightings and stories. From rats darting across pavements in broad daylight to some so bold they barely flinch when spotted. As one user put it: “They’re definitely getting bigger. And braver.” And honestly? They might be onto something.
Now, we’re not saying it’s an official plague (yet). But rats have always had a stronghold in London’s sewage and drainage systems, and increasingly, they’re showing up above ground, too. So what’s going on?
Rodent control? Let’s take a step back…
Why are rat sightings on the rise?
We’ve always had rats in London; they’re city dwellers like us. But when you start seeing more of them out in the open, especially during the day, it often means one of two things:
- Overstretched Victorian drainage systems. Built for a much smaller city, London’s old sewers are now overloaded. More waste and blockages mean rats find food easily, and often move into houses and buildings to nest. Modern PVC pipes are also easier for rats to break into.
- They’re getting braver because they’ve got easy access to food and shelter
The main driver? Rubbish. Overflowing bins, uncollected waste, food left out overnight; it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet for a hungry rat.
Budget cuts and bin days: what’s the link?
April 2025 marked the beginning of the new financial year, and with it came a fresh round of council funding changes, rate rises, and cost-of-living adjustments.
For many Londoners, this has meant tighter purse strings; but it’s not just affecting households. With budget cuts nationwide, waste management services are starting to feel the impact. In some cases we are even seeing cuts to weekly bin collections, like here in Waltham Forest. Here, waste collection services have been reduced, impacting waste collections in London, Waltham Forest.
Less frequent rubbish collections can lead to build-up, especially in high-density areas. And that? That’s rat heaven.
It’s important to say here, this isn’t finger-pointing. Everyone’s doing what they can with the budgets they’ve got. But the reality is that these changes do have knock-on effects, and pests are incredibly quick to take advantage of those gaps.
Rats and the drainage network: where the real problem lies
Most rats don’t start their journey in your kitchen cupboard, or in the bins outside; they come up through t
he drains. London’s Victorian-era drainage system has long been a perfect home for rodents, and without proper maintenance, it can quickly turn into a superhighway for rats trying to find food, shelter, or a cosy wall cavity to nest in.
At Mercury Pest Control, we’ve always tackled rat problems at the source. But with our drainage surveys, jetting, and remedial services, we go even further; tracing infestations back to their point of entry, resolving hidden access points, and putting real, long-term fixes in place.
It’s not just about traps and bait anymore. It’s about sealing off the entire ecosystem rats rely on to move through the city, building by building, drain by drain.
“I saw one the size of a cat…”, it’s time for rodent control services
We’ve all heard someone say it. And while urban myths and exaggerations are part of the rat folklore in London, there is some truth to the idea that urban rats are thriving.
Well-fed rats grow bigger. Rats without predators grow bolder. And rats with free rein over unmaintained drains and easy food sources? That’s a recipe for the sightings we’re seeing now. It’s time to call Mercury Pest Control for rodent control services London.
So, what can you do? It’s time to call Mercury Pest Control for your rodent control services, London.
This post isn’t about scaremongering, but we are encouraging you to stay alert.
Whether you’ve heard scratching in the walls or ceilings, noticed strange smells (rats leave behind an ammonia-like scent often mistaken for damp), or spotted bluebottles and blowflies indoors, it could be a sign of a hidden rat problem. Unlike mice, rats won’t always leave obvious droppings unless they feel safe and are nesting nearby.
If you’re unsure but want peace of mind, it’s time to call Mercury Pest Control; your local experts for rodent control in London.
Our team can:
- Investigate suspected infestations
- Carry out full drainage surveys to find hidden access points
- Use jetting and remedial work to close them off for good
- Offer advice on proofing, prevention, and maintenance
Because in a city as big and complex as London, pest control isn’t just about reacting to a problem; it’s about stopping it before it starts.
Think you’ve spotted signs of rats in or around your home?
Give us a call, for rat control services London, or book a site survey today. Let’s get to the bottom of it (literally, if it’s down the drain)
Call 0208 166 5110, email info@mercurypestcontrol.co.uk or send us a message today for expert help!
Location: London, United Kingdom
