Households urged to 'use torches after dark' as grim epidemic sweeps England (Image: Getty)
Households in the UK have been urged to use torches and flashlights after dark as a grim epidemic is causing havoc across England. Health experts have warned people to stay prepared and take timely action.
It comes as gigantic rats have been spotted in several parts of the country over the last few days with experts warning that a "winter of rats" might be approaching. Earlier this year, a 22-inch rodent was found in Teesside, raising eyebrows across the region. Meanwhile, ongoing issues with waste management in Birmingham have sparked concerns that they could be a warning sign of a surge in pet-related problems this coming winter.
The invasion of gigantic rats has made headlines in recent days (Image: Getty)
Experts from a public health body in Canada have warned there are ways to prepare, reports Birmingham Live. They said: "Rats come out at night, so walk around outside with a flashlight after dark. This will help you see where rats are going, so you can check for burrows when it gets light."
The households have also been advised to put the bins and recycling cans and bags to the curb as close to the pick-up time if possible.
Experts worry that leaving them outside for too long would invite rats. It is advised to use hard plastic or metal cans with tight-fitting lids and insist that tenants put rubbish inside cans.
The advice is to keep all food in tightly sealed containers and not to leave food out for stray cats, pigeons or squirrels.
Rats are highly adaptable creatures that can gnaw through building materials and squeeze through openings as small as 1.27 cm, making even tiny cracks and gaps potential entry points.
Sealing all vulnerabilities in a building's structure -- foundations, walls, floors, door thresholds, and window frames -- is crucial to effectively preventing infestations.
Fortunately, most of these repairs are straightforward and can be handled by maintenance staff or pest control professionals using affordable materials found at local hardware stores.
Caulk and roofing cement are ideal for sealing small cracks, while metal door sweeps and flashing help block larger gaps under doors and around windows. Vent openings, especially on lower floors, should be fitted with screens to keep rodents out. With an estimated 80 million brown rats in the UK -- though the true number remains uncertain -- the risk is significant, particularly since these nocturnal pests are most active during dawn and dusk.
Steven Belmain, a professor of ecology at the University of Greenwich and a rat expert told Birmingham Live: "When you see rats during the day, it's usually because there's something upsetting them, or they're very hungry."
They are most likely to be young rats, who "come out in the day to avoid being harassed by the older individuals in the colony".