Experts warn ‘super rats’ will infiltrate homes this Christmas as harsh winter conditions drive them inside
Brits told to prepare as well as they can now to stop the rodents ruining their fun over the festive period
HOMEOWNERS are being urged to be on their guard as potential sub-zero temperatures threaten to spark a plague of rats over Christmas.
Weather forecasters expect a polar vortex from the Arctic to send temperatures plummeting in the next few weeks.
And pest experts fear a combination of icy conditions and over-flowing dustbins could lead to a huge spike in the number of unwanted visitors during the holiday period.
Dee Ward-Thompson from the British Pest Control Association believes the double attraction of food and warmth has the potential to lead to big problems.
She said: “We have had abnormally mild conditions throughout the UK this year and that is likely to have led to an increase in the number of rats.
“Any cold snaps on the way will drive them into buildings in search of shelter and they’ll also go scrounging for food from bins and bird tables.
“So the Christmas and New Year period is likely to provide the perfect opportunity, particularly as it’s party time with fewer bin collections.”
A typical home may have more than a dozen potential entry points for rats, which can transmit a variety of diseases to humans.
They get through gaps as small as 2cm, often using plumbing pipes and unscreened vents or gaps in the eaves and roof edges.
Mrs Ward-Thompson added: “The first evidence of rats in a home is often noises under the floor, in the walls or loft as that’s where most will head to once they’re inside.
“Quite apart from the health risks, they’ll foul water tanks and chew on wood or electrical wires which can cause a lot of damage and poses a fire hazard.
“They’ll also do their best to find sources of food, which means they can soon move to other areas of the house occupied by humans.
“Rats also breed rapidly and will create nests in attics or walls, so it’s vital to act as soon as any evidence is found.”
Related stories
The expert added that the pesky rodents must be dealt with by a professional pest controller who knows the area in question and their likely habitat.
Rats are responsible for millions of pounds worth of damage to homes across Britain by causing fires from gnawing through electrical cables as well as causing structural damage to properties by eating away at beams.
And now is the time time to prepare for the "invasion" as rats - which can have up 72 babies a year - take up residence in cosy lofts, attics and stair cupboards to escape the chillier weather.
Pest control firms normally see a 30-40 per cent rise in call-outs for rodent infestations at this time of year.
And with some forecasters predicting the coldest winter for years, Brits are being warned to "act now".
How to prevent a rat infestation in your home:
The BPCA says it’s much easier to prevent an infestation than to get rid of one and says simple precautions can be taken to reduce the risk.
· Inspect properties thoroughly and seal up any external gaps, holes or crevices that could provide rats with a way in.
· Remove potential nesting sites by keeping yards and gardens clean and tidy, cutting back overgrown areas and clearing any piles of wood or debris.
· Ensure doors and windows can be closed properly and that drain inspection covers are well maintained.
· Keep bins well maintained with their lids closed, dispose of rubbish carefully and don’t leave leftover food lying around. Compost heaps should be covered.
· Areas around bird feeders should be kept clean and pet food bowls should not be left out overnight.
Some forecasters say 2016 could be one of the coldest winters on record with icy blasts beginning from next month as freezing air sweeps in from the Polar regions.
According to the Met Office it is likely to turn wet and windy in the north during Tuesday and Wednesday next week as November comes to a close, though the cold, dry weather will probably continue in the south.
Brits are likely to be blasted by freezing fog patches and frost in the mornings.
In the first few days of December, wet and windy conditions are likely to spread across the whole country, especially in the north – but the downpours could soon turn to sleet or snow over high ground, and possibly even to lower levels at times in the north.
Sprinklings of snow are also expected over high ground in the north with temperatures below average throughout the UK for the time of year.
Architectural assistant David Prentice, 36, said he had to move home after a rats invaded his rented flat last winter in Hastings, East Sussex.
He said: "I was living in a two-bed rented flat and the noise from the rats last winter was dreadful.
"I couldn't get a wink of sleep some nights and ended up staying at a friend's house over the weekend just to get some proper sleep - I even booked a hotel for two nights just to get away from the noise.
"In the end I moved house as the landlord was doing nothing about the rats."
Mum-of-two Jackie Benson, 41, of Pinner, north west London, said her home was invaded by rats two years ago.
She said: "I first heard some scuttling around at nighttime and just put it down to a few mice, but then I heard gnawing and much louder noises.
"They must have been breeding in my house and I was terrified of stepping on one every time I went to the bathroom at night."
She added: "It got so bad I couldn't sleep and last year I got someone in to get rid of them and I've not heard a peep since."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368