Scientists Warn of Increased Rat Infestation in Cities due to Rising Temperatures

An examination of 16 cities revealed a correlation between escalating temperatures and a rise in rat grievances, with 70% of the cities registering a surge in rat-related problems. Among them, San Francisco, Toronto, New York City, Amsterdam, and Washington, D.C. recorded the most notable spikes in their rat populations. Rats are accountable for around $27 billion in damages per year in the U.S. and harbor more than 50 pathogens that pose risks to human health. The research underscores climate change as a major contributor to the expansion of rat populations, thus complicating endeavors to control their proliferation.