UK Housing News
More Than Half a Million UK Rat Infestations Uncovered Since 2023: Experts Warn of Hidden Dangers To Homes & Health
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Shocking new data has revealed that more than half a million rat infestations have been reported across the UK since the start of 2023, with drainage specialists warning that the problem is getting worse, and the issue often starts underground.
Analysis of Freedom of Information (FOI) responses from 195 UK councils by Drain Detectives has exposed a deeply concerning trend. The UK saw 518,240 reported rat infestations from 2023 to mid-2025, with nearly a quarter of these in London alone. The North West and Scotland followed closely, recording nearly 95,000 and 70,000 infestations respectively.
“Rats are more than just a nuisance, they’re a threat to public health and infrastructure,” says Stuart McGinn, drainage expert at Drain Detectives. “We’re seeing growing numbers of infestations entering homes via the drains, a route that’s largely hidden from view until it’s too late.”
Regional Findings
Councils across less densely populated regions like the East Midlands and South West reported over 10,000 cases each, pointing to a nationwide issue, more than just an urban one.
Rats often exploit damaged or aging drainage systems to gain access to buildings, especially via unsealed joints, disused pipework, or toilet backflow in properties lacking rat blockers. Once inside, they can nest in cavity walls or lofts, chew through wiring, and contaminate insulation leading to fire hazards and severe hygiene risks.
Rats are incredibly resourceful. They can travel through underground pipes, bypassing typical surface-level pest control measures,” McGinn explained. “Most people don’t realise that a cracked drain beneath their home can be an open invitation to a full-blown infestation.”
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Rats have incredibly strong teeth and a natural instinct to gnaw. This behaviour can become problematic when plastic pipes are chewed through, leading to cracks or bursts.
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While more resistant, concrete and clay drains can still be eroded this way at weak points or joints
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Underground pipes can also collapse or leak, often leading to flooding, foul smells from drains, and potentially very expensive excavation work
This type of damage often goes unnoticed until significant issues emerge, which is why proactive CCTV drain surveys are critical.
Once inside a drainage system, rats can travel surprisingly long distances and find points of entry into your property, with common routes including:
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Faulty or unsealed pipe joints
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Disused or open pipework leading into walls or floors beneath
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Toilet backflow, especially in properties without rat blockers
Rats are well known carriers of numerous harmful bacteria, many of which can pose serious health risks to humans:
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Salmonella – spread through contaminated food or surfaces
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Hantavirus – carried in rat droppings and urine, posing respiratory risks
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Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease) – a bacterial infection transmitted through rat urine, which can lead to liver failure or death in extreme cases
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Allergenic trigger – rat dander, droppings, and urine can exacerbate asthma and allergic reactions
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Prevention Starts Below Ground
Stuart and the team at Drain Detectives is urging UK homeowners and property managers to take proactive steps, particularly in light of the new figures from the FOI data.
“If you’re hearing scratching in the walls or noticing unexplained smells, don’t ignore it,” McGinn advises.
“Book a CCTV drain survey. It’s often the only way to identify hidden entry points before they become major problems.”
Stuart McGinn, Drainage Expert
