With temperatures plummeting this week, many of us may have been keen to stay in the warmth indoors - but we're not the only ones looking to get out of the cold.
Rodents are likely to be looking for shelter now we're into the depths of winter, with the number of rat-related calls being placed to pest control peaking in late November and December according to Rentokil. And after a particularly mild October, the pest control experts are predicting that rat activity is likely to increase in the coming weeks after the rodents delayed moving to sheltered spots in the autumn.
Rentokil has advised people to be on the lookout for some tell-tale signs that they may have some unwanted house guests - especially when retrieving Christmas decorations from attics, basements, garages or outbuildings. Here are some things to keep your eyes peeled for according to the experts, as reported by WalesOnline.
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One of the easiest signs to spot if you have rats living in your home will be droppings, which look like large brown spindles about the size of a grain of rice - each rat will produce up to 40 droppings a night, so they will quickly build up in the corners of rooms or boxes. Another thing to look out for are chewed-up items in storage, gnaw marks on the likes of wires and cabling, or shredded loft insulation that rodents often use to make their nests.
Paul Blackhurst, Head of Technical Academy at Rentokil Pest Control, said: "Rodents are a key public health concern, which can cause considerable damage to both residential and business premises, as well as business’ reputation. After a mild autumn we’re expecting to see a surge in enquiries as soon as the temperature drops, as rats will be looking for somewhere warm to spend the winter.
"While most of us may associate rats with sewers and holes in the ground, brown rats are very agile climbers, and can be found in loft spaces," he added. When you’re up in the loft, there are a few simple things to look out for; nests, droppings, signs of gnawing, and greasy rub marks on joists.
"If any of these are spotted, then pest control experts should be called in to deal with the problem sustainably and efficiently. Pest specialists can use tools and technology to monitor and safely eliminate any rodent activity, helping make sure that the only footsteps you may hear on your roof this Christmas are from Santa and his reindeer."
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