Overview

• The founder of the Yorkshire Rat Pack warned this winter could be "horrendous" for rodent infestations after a scorching summer.
• Pest controllers report catching 19–20 inch rats on a daily basis, including a 22-inch specimen recently found in Normanby, Redcar and Cleveland.
• Specialists attribute the surge to abundant takeaway waste, overflowing communal bins, and crumbling pipes and sewers that let rodents enter homes.
• Redcar and Cleveland Council has created a cross-party pest-control taskforce and urged joint action with housing providers and water companies.
• Local leaders cautioned that the April 2026 rollout of food-waste bins could increase feeding opportunities unless storage and collection are secure.