Giant rats are 'hard wired' to survive - how to banish them from your home

The UK is facing a plague of giant rats, with experts warning that these oversized rodents are becoming increasingly difficult to eliminate. Just recently, an enormous ratwas discovered, which could be a harbinger of a rodent population explosion if action isn't taken swiftly.

A pest controller was called out to a property in , where he stumbled across what could be one of the UK's largest rats – an astonishing 22 inches long from its snout to the tip of its tail. The image of the dead rodent, which had set up home within the house, went viral on social media, drawing comparisons to a "sewer rat".

Although it's not certain how the rat entered the dwelling, local reports suggest a rising number of rat sightings in the area, reports the Daily Star. It comes after a man claimed'My neighbours made a petition to get rid of my dogs so kids can play in my garden'.

READ MORE: Bread 'is fresh for longer' if you store it one way that's not in the freezer

READ MORE: Cook 'easy' fried eggs in just minutes without a frying pan or oil

As the threat of rats engulfs the UK, an expert has sounded the alarm about these formidable creatures and their tenacious grip on life. A spokesman for the British Pest Control Association said: "Rats are hard-wired to survive. They are adaptable, highly mobile and breed rapidly. As a result, rat control can be an uphill task for the untrained individual."

"For any rat infestation, we would always recommend contacting a professional pest management company, who is a member of the BPCA. However, members of the public can choose to carry out the work themselves, buying amateur-use rat poisons (rodenticides) and traps from a hardware store or garden centre.

"Keep in mind that most rats are wary of new objects such as traps or poisons placed in their environment."

The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) has issued a cautionary note for those attempting to tackle rodent problems, emphasising that patience is key: "They will avoid them for a period before exploring them, so don't expect instant success with this approach.

"Thought needs to be taken when placing poison or traps to ensure they are in a safe and secure place out of reach of non target animals, children and pets."

However, the BPCA strongly advises anyone using rodenticides to always adhere to the label instructions. The association also warns about the unpleasant task of clean-up that follows - something you might have already guessed.

They explained: "When poison is consumed by a rat, it is likely that it will die in a cavity or roof space from which a bad smell can emit.

"If you cannot locate the dead rodent, it may take several weeks for the body to decompose and the smell to dissipate. Leaving these in the open can result in secondary poisoning of non target animals, such as pets or birds scavenging on the carcass."

The BPCA added a stern warning for DIY pest controllers: "Although it is not recommended to tackle these pests yourself, if you decide to give it a go then you must take all necessary precautions to ensure you do not cause collateral damage or suffer personal injury."