‘Not any old vermin’: rats numbers are on the rise thanks to global heating – and poison may not be the answer
Rising global temperatures are contributing to an increase in rat populations in cities worldwide, as warmer winters allow for year-round reproduction. Experts suggest that traditional poisoning methods are becoming less effective, necessitating new approaches to urban rodent control.
Why it matters
The intersection of climate change and urban pest management poses significant public health and infrastructure challenges for modern cities.
On the rise: a brown rat emerges from its hole. On the rise: a brown rat emerges from its hole. Climate crisis ‘Not any old vermin’: rats numbers are on the rise thanks to global heating – and poison may not be the answer Robert Corrigan has been dealing with the ‘smart’ rodents all his life – and believes there are better solutions to deal with the growing infestation in the world’s cities
Isaaq Tomkins Tue 25 Aug 2026 10.00 EDT Last modified on Tue 25 Aug 2026 10.03 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google “The rodents have paid for every single bill I’ve ever had – every mortgage, every car payment, every pint of Guinness,” says Dr Robert Corrigan. “It’s been a great ride and I’m still at it.”
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