The London pest forecast for 2026

The Met Office outlook for the global average temperature says that 2026 will be one of the four warmest years on record, with a central estimate of 1.46°C above pre-industrial levels. Although this is slightly lower than the 1.55°C recorded in 2024, it represents a continued run of years where temperatures are still significantly elevated. For the pest landscape in London, this means that the “winter kill” period has once again been insufficient to naturally reduce rodent and insect populations.

As we look towards the spring, here’s some of our thoughts on what commercial property and residential property owners might experience when it comes to pests, and what can be done to minimise it.

Garden ants and soil saturation

Ants are among the first insects to react to London’s “Urban Heat Island” effect. While they usually stay dormant until soil temperatures consistently reach 12°C, the capital’s underground networks and dense foundations trap heat so effectively that colonies in central boroughs wake up weeks early.

However, temperature is only half the story. The projected heavy rainfall for February could be the main reason ants move into your property. As the ground becomes saturated, subterranean nests flood, forcing the colonies to abandon their underground tunnels in search of dry land.

It can also affect the rats living in the Victorian sewer system and subterranean voids. When heavy rain causes water levels to rise rapidly, these spaces flood, forcing the rats out of the sewers and toward the surface. In London’s built-up environment, they follow drainage runs and service pipes to the nearest high ground, which is often the wall cavities, floor voids, and foundations of your home or business.

Clothes moths and the lack of dormancy

The mild winter of 2025/2026 may also impact the life cycle of the Common Clothes Moth (Tineola bisselliella). In colder years, a significant drop in temperature can slow larval development or kill off adult populations in less insulated areas of a home. Because this winter has been mild overall in London, many infestations will have continued to feed throughout the winter within centrally heated wardrobes and lofts. As we move into spring, we could see a “synchronised hatch” which means an early emergence of adult moths that have successfully survived the winter as larvae

For homeowners, this means that the damage to natural fibres may already be significant before the first adult moth is even spotted flying.

How heat and density fuel cockroach outbreaks

Warmer baseline temperatures in early 2026 are also accelerating the reproductive cycles of German and Oriental Cockroaches.

These species are highly sensitive to ambient temperature and higher heat levels decrease the time required for nymphs to reach maturity.

In dense London environments like multi-unit blocks and commercial kitchens, this accelerated breeding can lead to a rapid population “explosion” that catches property managers off guard.

In addition, the increased humidity from a wet spring provides the ideal conditions for these pests to thrive in service ducts and basement areas that might otherwise have been too dry for them to colonise successfully.

The 2026 rodenticide reclassification

A major change in UK law that came into force on January 1, 2026, has fundamentally changed how you can manage rodents on your property. Under new rules from the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU), the high-strength products needed to clear an urban infestation are now strictly controlled. These professional-grade materials are no longer available to the public or even to uncertified tradespeople.

To legally purchase or use these powerful treatments, a technician must now prove they are highly trained. This requires a specific qualification earned within the last five years or active membership in a professional scheme that tracks ongoing training.

Because of these safety measures, most traditional DIY baits and “off-the-shelf” solutions are now either unavailable or simply not strong enough to deal with resistant London rats.

This means that for a treatment to be both legal and effective, you must contact a qualified pest controller.

At Protex Pest Control, our technicians are fully certified under the 2026 standards ensuring your home is protected while staying on the right side of the law.

Professional pest proofing

At Protex Pest Control, we provide the technical expertise required pest proof your residential or commercial property. Our technicians are qualified to the stringent standards laid down by the British Pest Control Association (BPCA).