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Brits have been advised to take extra precautions to keep rats out of their homes. According to experts at Gardening Express, heatwaves and an abundance of food from leftovers and uncollected rubbish have created the perfect environment for rats to feast and reproduce quickly, leading to the invasion of giant ultra-rats.

Rats are growing bigger as a result of their leftover energy going into body mass and growth, meaning they are also reproducing more frequently than ever, reports Wales Online.

They can have around 72 babies a year and these babies are ready to breed themselves within a week.

As their usual food sources will dwindle, temperatures will drop, and since there are a lot fewer burrows for them to seek shelter in thanks to the drought, these unwanted pests are likely to have their sights set on people’s homes and gardens.

Chris Bonnett, the founder of Gardening Express, said: "It is time to protect your garden, and home, now. When rats get hungry, they will eat virtually anything – even dog poo, so you really don’t want these randy, infested ultra-rats around.

"Some of the imperative measures to take to protect yourself and your home are laying preventive scents around your home and clearing any rubbish, debris and garden waste that’s accumulated during summer."

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