Rentokil’s 2024 State of the Rodent Report, released ahead of Rodent Awareness Week (October 19–25), reveals a sharp nationwide increase in rodent activity, with roof rats emerging as a growing concern in expanding urban centers. The report attributes this surge to milder winters, rapid construction, and urban population growth—factors that are converging to create ideal conditions for infestations in foodservice and food processing establishments.

Rodents Exploit Structural and Sanitation Weaknesses

Modern building materials and poor waste management practices are leaving kitchens and production facilities increasingly vulnerable. Foam insulation, for example, is easily penetrated by gnawing rodents, while gaps in building exteriors offer convenient entry points. Even a single rodent sighting can trigger costly shutdowns, product recalls, and long-term damage to brand reputation, per Rentokil.

Midwest Sees Spike in Rodent Activity

The report includes a state-by-state breakdown of rodent activity, with the U.S. Midwest showing the most dramatic year-over-year increase (76 percent overall). Ohio and Indiana stand out with increases at 275 percent and 242 percent, respectively.

Key insights from the report include:

• Roof rat populations are rising: Roof rats are commensal pests, meaning they thrive in close proximity to humans and rely on people for food, water, and shelter. As urban populations grow, so do roof rat colonies.
• Fast, cost-efficient construction creates new risks: Buildings constructed quickly with lower-grade materials are more susceptible to infestations. Substandard practices often leave structural vulnerabilities that rodents readily exploit.
• Rodents travel with human movement: Human migration and urban expansion can inadvertently introduce rodents—and even new species—into previously unaffected areas.
• Climate change is extending rodent lifespans: Warmer temperatures and milder winters are lengthening reproductive seasons and increasing survival rates, fueling population growth.

Proactive Prevention Is Critical

To help facilities stay ahead of the threat, Rentokil’s report includes a three-step checklist for rodent control. With infestations posing serious risks to food safety and operational continuity, proactive measures are critical.