Birmingham’s top rat catcher is swamped amidst the city’s bin strike, and now a pest control expert has issued a chilling warning that the situation could escalate dramatically. According to a professional in the field, changes in the dietary patterns of rats, including instances of cannibalism, are causing some of these vermin to reach monstrous sizes of up to 40cm, posing a potential threat to children.
As Birmingham grapples with its waste management woes, Lee Maddocks, Director at Richards Pest Control on Australia’s Gold Coast, cautions that the urban environments of both cities offer perfect conditions for the growth of oversized rodents. The abundance of food scraps, cosy shelters, and a lack of natural enemies create an ideal breeding ground for these creatures.
“Rats are getting bigger,” he warned. “This is largely due to increased access to high-calorie food waste, warmer winters, and competitive behaviours like cannibalism. These factors support longer lifespans and more robust physical growth. “In urban areas, rats have fewer predators and more consistent food supplies-an ideal combination for super-sized rodents.”, reports the Daily Star.
The alarming news is further intensified by Lee’s acknowledgement that while the idea of rats growing as ‘big as cats’ may sound exaggerated, it’s not entirely beyond the realm of possibility. “The Norway rat can reach up to 40cm, excluding the tail, under the right conditions,” he explained.
“While there are biological limits to how large they can grow, consistently large food sources and milder climates can absolutely push them toward their maximum potential.” Some rats, according to an expert, could grow so large they pose a risk to children and pets.
“A large rat could potentially injure a small pet or child, especially if it feels threatened. But the real concern is disease,” he warned. “Rats spread dangerous pathogens through their urine and droppings, and larger rats naturally produce more waste. Diseases like Leptospirosis and Salmonella are genuine risks in both domestic and public settings.”
These alarming insights follow reports from Birmingham’s top rat catcher, Will Timms, who has been inundated with calls amidst the city’s escalating rodent issues, exacerbated by the ongoing bin strike. He observed: “A rat can get really big on protein. I noticed it when I was working in town. People would chuck their kebabs on the floor, and the rats would eat them and grow considerably. I set traps and pick up corpses.
“I had one last week, and it was 22 inches long. It was ginormous.” The situation has become so dire that Birmingham City Council has declared a major incident due to the public health threat. How to kill really big rats. Facing a dilemma with rats as hefty as cats? Lee suggests that traditional methods can still be effective, albeit with some modifications.
“The basics still work,” he assures, “but with a twist. Larger rats are more cautious and intelligent, often avoiding traditional traps. We now use more sophisticated and strategic methods such as pre-baiting, motion-detection systems, and sealed bait stations. It’s become more about outsmarting them than overpowering them.”
