The Rat League of Liverpool: A Ranking of Rodent Problems by Area
When it comes to the discomfort of urban living, few things are more alarming than encountering a rat in or near your home. The sight of these uninvited guests scurrying across your kitchen floor or lurking in your garden can be thoroughly unsettling. Unfortunately, this has been a reality for many residents of Liverpool over the past year, prompting thousands to reach out to the city’s pest control service for assistance in dealing with rodent infestations. Today, we unveil which neighborhoods faced the greatest challenges with rat populations in 2025.
Liverpool City Council has undertaken numerous initiatives in recent years to tackle the growing pest problem. These efforts include enhancing residential properties, improving alleyway cleanliness, and introducing various types of waste bins for local communities. Nonetheless, many areas continue to experience significant rodent issues.
To shed light on this pressing issue, the ECHO submitted a Freedom of Information request to Liverpool City Council, asking for data on how many times the pest control team was called to address rat sightings throughout the various neighborhoods in 2025. Using this information, we have compiled the Liverpool Rat League, ranking the areas most impacted by rat sightings. Below, you will find the breakdown of the worst affected council wards:
- Norris Green: 337 calls
- Anfield: 283 calls
- Yew Tree: 225 calls
- Kensington & Fairfield: 201 calls
- Walton: 170 calls
- Belle Vale: 168 calls
- Old Swan West: 166 calls
- Clubmoor East: 164 calls
- Dingle: 152 calls
- County: 151 calls
- Smithdown: 150 calls
- Old Swan East: 141 calls
- Broadgreen: 130 calls
- Childwall: 129 calls
- Knotty Ash & Dovecot Park: 128 calls
- West Derby Leyfield: 127 calls
- Much Woolton & Hunts Cross: 125 calls
- Tuebrook Larkhill: 115 calls
- Croxteth: 115 calls
- Everton East: 111 calls
- Sandfield Park: 109 calls
- Garston: 107 calls
- Princes Park: 106 calls
- Kirkdale West: 105 calls
- Kirkdale East: 104 calls
- Vauxhall: 103 calls
- Everton North: 102 calls
- West Derby Muirhead: 98 calls
- Wavertree Village: 94 calls
- West Derby Deysbrook: 93 calls
- Edge Hill: 91 calls
- Stoneycroft: 89 calls
- Tuebrook Breckside Park: 82 calls
- Speke: 81 calls
- Wavertree Garden Suburb: 78 calls
- Toxteth: 76 calls
- Springwood: 74 calls
- Fazakerley West: 68 calls
- Woolton Village: 65 calls
- Everton West: 61 calls
- Clubmoor West: 59 calls
- Gateacre: 59 calls
- Penny Lane: 58 calls
- Grassendale & Cressington: 56 calls
- Arundel: 54 calls
- Canning: 52 calls
- Fazakerley East: 51 calls
- Fazakerley North: 47 calls
- St Michaels: 45 calls
- Croxteth Country Park: 45 calls
- Allerton: 40 calls
- Sefton Park: 35 calls
- Church: 34 calls
- Calderstones: 33 calls
- Greenbank Park: 28 calls
- City Centre South: 26 calls
- City Centre North: 25 calls
- Aigburth: 23 calls
- Festival Gardens: 21 calls
- Orrell Park: 19 calls
- Mossley Hill: 15 calls
- Brownlow Hill: 7 calls
- Waterfront North: 2 calls
- Waterfront South: 1 call
This detailed overview illustrates the stark reality of rodent problems in Liverpool, highlighting areas that are struggling significantly more than others. As the city continues its fight against these pests, it’s clear that while efforts are being made, there is still much work to be done. Do you live in one of the most affected areas? What solutions do you think could help alleviate this ongoing issue? Share your thoughts in the comments!
