Massive Rats Invade Paisley Building: Renfrewshire 2026

Key Points

• Residents in Paisley, Renfrewshire, have captured footage of large rats climbing through cracks in a building, sparking concern over a growing rodent problem.
• A local resident, Craig MacPherson, 54, says rats have moved into the buildings and surrounding areas in “large numbers” and are entering homes and communal gardens.
• MacPherson blames the situation on locals dumping rubbish recklessly and on “indifference” from Renfrewshire Council, which previously promised to tackle rats “roaming” the street and eating rubbish from overflowing bins.
• Tenements on Ferguson Street back onto communal gardens that have become heavily affected by the rat infestation, with waste accumulating until the council recently removed a large amount.
• Despite recent cleanup, bins are still overflowing in places, and MacPherson says this is a “primary factor” attracting rodents and allowing them to enter the building.
• Other neighbours share his discontent, describing conditions as ideal for rats due to neglect and poor waste management.
• Renfrewshire Council says its pest control team is aware of rodent problems on Ferguson Street and is implementing treatments to tackle infestations in the area.
• The council urges residents to dispose of waste properly in all available bins and not to leave food waste out, as this attracts vermin and reduces the effectiveness of treatment.
• Council FOI data shows pest controllers made 870 residential visits for rat and mice infestations in Renfrewshire in 2023, 190 more than in 2022, though overall rodent reports in Renfrewshire fell 34% across the three-year period 2020–2022.
• A wider investigation into rat reports across Glasgow has loged more than 60,000 sightings since 2019, with areas including parts of Paisley described as among the most affected.
• The council provides a pest control contact number (0300 300 0380) and email (prot@renfremshire.gov.uk) for residents with concerns about pests in their property or area.
• Domestic pest control treatment for rats and mice in Renfrewshire currently costs £69.55, reduced to £52.20 for those eligible for a concession.

Paisley (Glasgow Express) July 13, 2026 – Residents in uk/local/paisley/">Paisley have expressed outrage after footage emerged showing large rats climbing through cracks in a building, reigniting concerns over a persistent rodent infestation in the area.

As reported by a local reporter for Glasgow Live, a Paisley resident has hit out after capturing the disturbing images of rats navigating through structural gaps, describing the situation as evidence that locals are “plagued” by pests.

The video has underscored longstanding complaints about rats “roaming” the street and feeding on rubbish from overflowing bins, which Renfrewshire Council had pledged to address last year.

Why Are Rats Invading Homes and Communal Gardens on Ferguson Street?

Craig MacPherson, 54, insists the vermin have moved into the buildings and surrounding areas in Renfrewshire, Scotland, in “large numbers”.

In statements reported by Glasgow Live, MacPherson attributes the problem primarily to residents “recklessly” discarding their trash and the “indifference” of Renfrewshire Council.

The tenements on Ferguson Street back onto communal gardens which, according to MacPherson, are “severely affected” by the rat problem.

He noted that waste had been accumulating frequently until the council recently came to remove a substantial amount of it.

“Nevertheless, there are still bins overflowing, which is a primary factor attracting the rodents,”

MacPherson said, as quoted in Glasgow Live.

“Many neighbours share my discontent, especially since the pests are also entering the building”.

He emphasized that the conditions provide an ideal environment for the rats due to the neglect from the council.

How Has Renfrewshire Council Responded to the Rat Infestation on Ferguson Street?

A representative from Renfrewshire Council responded to the concerns, stating:

“Our pest control team is aware of rodent problems on Ferguson Street, Renfrew, and is implementing treatments to tackle infestations in this region,”

according to Glasgow Live.

The council also highlighted the role of residents in preventing further infestations.

“Residents can also contribute by ensuring that waste is disposed of properly in all available bins and that food waste is not left out, as this attracts vermin and diminishes the effectiveness of any treatment aimed at eliminating infestations,”

the council spokesperson said, as reported by Glasgow Live.

They encouraged anyone with concerns about pests in their community to reach out to the pest control service at 0300 300 0380 or via email at prot@renfrewshire.gov.uk to discuss their issues and arrange for an assessment of any rodent activity.

What Do the Data Show About Rat and Mice Infestations in Renfrewshire?

Official figures provide a broader context for the local complaints. As reported by the Daily Record, a Freedom of Information request obtained by Direct Line Home Insurance showed that local authority pest controllers made 870 residential visits for rat and mice infestations in Renfrewshire in 2023, 190 more than the previous year.

In comparison, 680 visits were made in 2022, while 1,026 were made in 2021, suggesting fluctuations in demand over the three-year period. However, when looking at overall rodent reports across Renfrewshire, the Daily Record also reported that the council saw the biggest drop among Scottish councils, with a 34% reduction in rodent numbers between 2020 and 2022.

Numbers fell from 1,058 in 2020 to 663 in 2022, according to the same data. This indicates that while localised problems persist on specific streets such as Ferguson Street, the overall trend in Renfrewshire has been downward in recent years.

How Does Paisley’s Situation Fit Into Glasgow’s Wider Rodent Crisis?

The Paisley incident is occurring amid a much larger rodent problem across the Glasgow area. An investigation reported by Yahoo News found that more than 60,000 reports of rodents being spotted in homes and streets have been logged across Glasgow since 2019.

In 2019 alone, the council received 6,170 reports of rats; by 2025, this number had escalated to 12,155. The report noted that a significant portion of these cases involved rats being spotted inside homes, with areas described as among the most affected including “Darton Road Paisley West” and other locations in the west of the region.

This wider data suggests that while Renfrewshire overall has seen a drop in rodent reports, specific neighbourhoods such as parts of Paisley continue to experience high levels of infestation, consistent with the complaints from residents on Ferguson Street.

What Are the Costs and Procedures for Residents Seeking Pest Control in Renfrewshire?

For residents who need professional assistance, Renfrewshire Council has set clear pricing and contact procedures.

The council currently charges £69.55 for domestic pest control rat and mice treatments and to address problems with insects (excluding wasps), with the price dropping to £52.20 for those eligible for a concession, according to the Daily Record.

If any resident has concerns with vermin in their property or area, they should contact the council’s pest control service on 0300 300 0380, who will arrange to visit, as stated in the council’s own guidance reported by the Daily Record.

The council also advises that waste must be binned correctly to avoid encouraging rodents, reinforcing the point made by MacPherson and other residents about the importance of proper waste disposal.

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Background: How the Rat Issue Developed in Paisley and Renfrewshire

The rodent problem on Ferguson Street and in parts of Paisley is not a new development but has built up over time due to a combination of structural, behavioural, and managerial factors.

Residents have long complained of rats “roaming” the street and feeding on rubbish from overflowing bins, prompting Renfrewshire Council to promise action last year.

Despite that commitment, waste accumulation continued in communal gardens behind the tenements, creating ideal conditions for rats to establish themselves in and around the buildings.

Recent council efforts to remove accumulated waste have not fully resolved the issue, as some bins remain overflowing and continue to attract rodents, according to MacPherson’s statements reported by Glasgow Live.

At the same time, broader data shows that while Renfrewshire as a whole has seen a reduction in rodent reports between 2020 and 2022, specific streets and neighbourhoods continue to experience high levels of infestation, indicating that localised problems persist even as overall figures improve.

Prediction: How This Development Could Affect Paisley Residents and the Wider Community

If the situation on Ferguson Street and in affected parts of Paisley remains unresolved, residents may face ongoing disruption, including increased risk of rats entering homes, damage to property, and heightened health concerns associated with rodent infestations.

The presence of large rats climbing through building cracks suggests that structural vulnerabilities may allow easy access for rodents, potentially leading to more frequent indoor sightings if not addressed through targeted repairs and pest control measures.

Wider community effects could include a decline in confidence in local waste management and council responsiveness, particularly if residents feel that promises to tackle overflowing bins and rodent “roaming” are not being fully implemented.

This could lead to increased complaints, pressure on the council to expand pest control resources, and possible calls for additional investment in communal garden maintenance and building repairs.

For the council, persistent high-level infestations in specific areas despite overall reductions in Renfrewshire may require a more targeted approach, such as street-specific treatment plans, regular monitoring, and stronger enforcement of waste disposal rules.

If these measures are taken, the impact on residents could be mitigated, but if not, the likelihood of continued or worsening infestations in Paisley and similar neighbourhoods remains high, with potential implications for public health, property values, and community morale.