UK households urged to keep toilet lid seats closed this winter for terrifying reason | UK | News

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Households across the UK are being urged to keep their toilet seats closed this winter due to an invasion of giant rats. The vermin, which are now on average around 19 inches long in the UK, are known to swim up damaged pipes and get around toilet u-bends.

There are believed to be around 250 million rats in the UK but this number is set to explode further in the coming months. The rodents will seek warmer places to nest in homes and abandoned buildings as we approach the winter.

As reported by Birmingham Live, Kieran Sampler, founder of the Yorkshire Rat Pack collective of pest eradicators, said: “It is going to be a bad winter for rats, and people don’t realise – it is going to be horrendous.

“Over the years, it has been getting worse. The rats are getting a lot bigger. We are catching up to 22-inch rats, 19-inch rats are now standard – they are like a chihuahua.”

People are advised to identify any small holes or gaps in their homes which rats could use to enter. The vermin will also use drain pipes and drainage outlets to get inside.

Experts from Pest Defence said: “You will probably notice signs of clawing and gnawing around your home, but more concentrated around any small gaps and cracks that act as an entry point along walls and floors.

“Outside of your building, you may notice holes in the ground that act as a burrow entry down into the ground around the property.”

Rentokil added: “Rats have been known to swim up damaged sewer pipes and get round u-bends in toilets, so get into the habit of keeping toilet seat lids closed.

“They will also use drain pipes and drainage outlets. Use tightly fitting metal grates or screens to cover drains, especially in basement areas. Regularly check pipe work and ensure any breakage is fixed immediately.”

They said: “Rats are nimble, versatile and make the most of any opportunity to enter your home. Black rats are good climbers and will happily inhabit lofts. Whilst brown rats can climb, they prefer to build burrows, particularly near or beneath solid structures like sheds, garages and walls.

“They are very adept at swimming in sewers and drain systems, making the most of any damaged pipework. Both species will gnaw at gaps to enlarge them enough for easy entry.”

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