120 Million

Callouts for rats are starting to increase as the change in weather and heavy rain drives them indoors to seek warmth and shelter during the winter months. Rats can have up to 6 litters a year each with approximately 6-12 babies, it's estimated Britain's brown rat population stands at 120m (almost double the human population).

Despite their cute appearance rats can cause havoc in our homes. They can squeeze through gaps as small as 20mm (size of a typical felt tip pen) and once inside can cause untold damage if they gnaw through electric cables or building fabric.

It's recommended homeowners take steps to minimise risk of infestation by blocking up potential access points and removing potential food sources.