A growing rat problem in Normanby, near Middlesbrough, has alarmed residents after a 22-inch (55 cm) rodent was discovered in a local house. Locals are attributing the surge in vermin and their increasing size to a combination of environmental changes and poor waste management. As more of these oversized rats appear, concerns are mounting about the public health and safety implications in the community.
New Housing Developments Forcing Rats Into Urban Areas in Search of Food
One of the main factors identified is the rapid development of new housing estates, which locals say are displacing rats from their natural habitats. According to Conservative councillor David Taylor of the Eston ward, about five or six major housing developments have taken over green spaces previously inhabited by wildlife.
As a result, rats are being driven toward urban areas in search of food and shelter, contributing to their growing presence near homes and businesses.
Another key contributor is the abundance of waste food, particularly from takeaways. Councillor Taylor pointed to the area’s high number of fast-food outlets and the ongoing issue of fly-tipping (illegal dumping of waste), which provide rats with easy access to food. He explained that rats are breeding in long grass and then venturing out to scavenge discarded food, leading to a significant boost in their size and numbers.
Litter, Leftovers, and Construction Blamed for Rise in Giant Urban Rats
Councillor Paul McInnes of the Normanby ward echoed these concerns, noting that residents have frequently reported sightings of “rats the size of cats.” He emphasized that excessive litter and leftover food are creating a perfect environment for these pests to thrive and grow unusually large. The abundance of food allows rats to survive longer, breed more effectively, and reach sizes that are startling to the average homeowner.
Veteran pest control expert Brian Sowerby added that construction activity, especially when it disrupts old sewers, also plays a major role in the increased rat sightings. He explained that when traditional rat habitats are disturbed, the animals surface and seek out new places to nest and feed.
Sowerby, who has worked in the field for over four decades, confirmed that Normanby has a longstanding rodent issue and reported that the largest rat he had ever caught prior to the recent 22-inch discovery was also found in the same area.
