Disease-ridden rats could soon be spotted in homes and gardens all over the UK, experts have warned.
After a summer spent feasting and breeding, they will soon be seeking shelter from the cold autumn and winter temperatures. Experts say that we might even see giant ultra-rats - that can grow to the size of rabbits - invading homes.
People in the UK have been urged to protect their homes from the rodents, as Gardening Express say that the heatwave and abundance of food over the summer have provided the right conditions for rats to breed quickly.
Hull Live reports that rats are getting even bigger as a result of their leftover energy going into body mass and growth, which means they are breeding more as well.
On average, rats can give birth to 72 babies in a year - and these babies are ready to breed themselves within a week.
As the months get colder, rats' usual food sources become harder to find, meaning they will seek out homes and gardens for food and shelter.
Chris Bonnett, the founder of Gardening Express said: "It is time to protect your garden, and home, now. When rats get hungry, they will eat virtually anything – even dog poo, so you really don’t want these randy infested ultra-rats around.
"Some of the imperative measures to take to protect yourself and your home are laying preventive scents around your home and clearing any rubbish, debris and garden waste that’s accumulated during summer."
Speaking to the Express, here are some of Chris's top tips for protecting your home against the giant rodents.
How to keep rats from invading your home
Check your garden for food sources
If you’ve got any fruit trees, bushes or veggies growing, make sure you harvest as soon as ready, and be sure to remove any windfall from the ground beneath an apple tree for example as soon as possible. Anything you’ll be storing will need to go in a safe area that’s not open to these critters to invade.
Make sure your garden is clear of rubbish
Clear any rubbish, debris and garden waste that may be accumulated ready for disposal – do not delay in getting rid of this now, as rats are already on the move with families sending scouting parties out to seek their next rung on the property ladder.
Be wary of your bird tables
Bird tables are notorious for attracting vermin – if you do have one and it ends up attracting them, you may have to remove it entirely so there is no source of food. In the meantime, regularly, daily if needed, clear up and spill seed – late afternoon once birds finish feeding would be best.
Also ensure your bird table is in an open area away from shrubs, fence and walls – rats are expert climbers and will jump from a nearby tree onto it if they can.
Close any gaps you can
Is your shed or garage door closing properly? Are there any gaps? Consider fitting a metal kick strip to doors to prevent gnawing in, and ensure any holes are filled in and covered over. Small young rats can squeeze through quite small holes.
Protect your pet's food
Many people store sacks of pet food in a shed, indeed anything edible should be stored in a lidded bin or bucket. Ideally, metal, as hungry rats have a great sense of smell to hunt this out and have been known to chew through plastic containers to get at food. I’ve even seen them gnaw the lids to buckets of commercial rat poison in a farm store shed.
Check your drains
Check any drain grates are intact and all drains are covered, replace them urgently if needed. Also look around the perimeter of your house, and check any air-bricks or potential weak points for entry – take action immediately and make any repairs or replace any grates that need it right away.
Cut off water access
Rats will also need a source of water, so if you’ve got a dripping garden tap, water-butt or a blocked drain, again – get it sorted now.
Protect your compost heap
Turn it, don’t put food scraps on, and keep it wet – else the rats could view your cosy compost heap as a new 5-star hotel with room service. It’s also worth thinking about enclosing it in chicken wire to make it less penetrable.
Keep an eye on your greenhouse
If you’ve got a cold-frame or greenhouse, make sure you haven’t got stacks of pots and trays languishing under the benches – these would provide perfect shelter and a fun little maze for rats to hang out in.
Use scents
Lay preventive scents around the perimeter of sheds and your home – rats may not venture past strong scents such as garlic powder – which can be purchased in bulk buckets online, or white vinegar. Liberally apply around and vulnerable areas.
Consider using traps or bait
Be prepared and invest in conventional traps and baits in case the invasion hits your garden and property – they’d be nothing worse than having a local plague attacking your precious plants, garden or shed – or worse - and find stores sold out of what you need.
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