Giant rats as big as cats have been invading homes in the UK. According to a pest expert, giant rodents have also been entering through the toilets.
Giant rats: Taking over homes in the UK
Andrew Dellbridge, from the Ace Pest Control in the UK noted that rodents in Norwich had grown larger and braver after the lockdowns. He also recounted an incident where rodent invasions forced a couple to move out of their home. He reported another incident where a resident was shocked after finding a rat swimming in her toilet bowl. She’d been using the bathroom and heard a noise. She looked down and it was in the toilet bowl. And this is happening more and more frequently,” said Dellbridge. “They used to work around us but now they’re gaining access they wouldn’t have attempted before,” he added.
According to the pest expert, the situation was worsening due to ‘overflowing bins’. He added that his firm was forced to hire extra staff to deal with the rodent problem. “Because of the throwaway culture we have, the rubbish is just piling up and feeding them. Rats are letting themselves into people’s houses and businesses,” he added. The largest rat was reported to measure 21 inches from the tip to the tail. It was found in November 2018 on a property in Bournemouth.
How to avoid rodent infestations?
“Try not to feed your pets outdoors, if you do, make sure you’re present when feeding them, and remove any remaining food afterward. People that have seen rats near their property should avoid feeding wildlife as this is a food source for rodents too,” said a spokeswoman for the Norwich City Council.
Pest experts are urging citizens to keep their toilet seats down after using. They are also asking people to ensure that their windows and doors are free of holes. This ensures that rats and other pests do not enter homes from outside. The warning follows after the agency warned that the pandemic could lead to a ‘perfect storm’ for rodent infestations in houses. Terry Walker, who caught one of the giant rats stated that “rats were becoming bigger because humans are creating more waste. And, the type of waste we are throwing away is fattier.”