Urban rat infestations in Eastern Europe

In mid‑July 2026, Plovdiv’s Iztochen district reported an unusual daytime sighting of a large rat, prompting the municipal Disinfection Station to launch an emergency pest‑control treatment despite no prior indication of heightened rodent activity. Experts regarded the incident as likely isolated but urged residents to report any further sightings.

A week later, Bucharest faced a broader surge of rat activity, with over two hundred complaints of rodents moving through walls, apartments and even toilet pipes. The city’s deratization contractor, Eco Igienizare, intensified control efforts while the municipal council prepared new regulations requiring pest‑control firms to file quarterly reports on interventions, locations and chemicals used, with penalties for non‑compliance. Authorities linked the escalation to waste mismanagement and structural gaps, recommending sealing openings and stricter waste policies.

Together, the two incidents illustrate a growing concern over urban rodent problems in Eastern European cities and the move toward more systematic, regulated pest‑control responses.