Britain is suffering a boom in monster rats as extreme weather changes help massive rodents multiply unchecked.
Pest expert Paul Claydon says he has never seen so many – or such big rats.
The rodents are being helped by milder winters and abundant food, with Paul describing this year as “exceptionally busy”.
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He runs Fast Track Pest Control in Essex and says the number of rat call-outs has remained unusually high through the summer.
“There’s definitely been a noticeable increase in the number of rats,” Paul told Need To Know.
“This year in particular has been exceptionally busy.
“Normally, rat call-outs start to ease off through the summer, but this year the volume has stayed really high.
“I’m seeing levels of rat work in summer that I’d usually associate with the peak winter periods.
“And there are probably a number of reasons behind it.
“Much milder winters, which means better survival rates and a longer breeding season, but I think food availability is a massive factor.
“Waste collections have changed in a lot of areas, with some councils moving from weekly to fortnightly, and whenever there’s a delay or disruption to collections, you’re effectively creating a bigger food source for rats.
“Birmingham is a good example, where the bin strikes led to huge amounts of rubbish building up and reports of serious rat problems.
“When you have overflowing bins, food waste, takeaway waste, fly-tipping, people feeding birds, compost bins and generally more food available around urban areas.
“Add in building work, disturbed ground and properties with gaps, it’s no wonder they are thriving.”
Some of the rats Paul has encountered have reached a huge 40cm – or 16 inches – in length.
He also warned the rodents can pose a serious danger.
“They are the biggest I’ve seen,” he said.
“They are very dangerous; they spread diseases, contaminate food and surfaces with urine and droppings, damage buildings, chew electrical wires and can cause fires by gnawing cables.
“They can also contaminate water and food supplies.”
Rats have caused huge problems elsewhere too.
Jemma and Sean Williams say they can hear rats crawling through their walls at night after the rodents invaded their home – leaving urine and droppings on their clothes and surfaces.
The pests have survived traps, bait and pest control as they battle to rid their home of the infestation.
The family had been struggling with rats outside their property for around two years before discovering they had made their way inside.
Jemma believes they entered through faults in the Cwmbran property in Torfaen, Wales, which is maintained by Bron Afon Housing Association.
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