Calls about rats are up a third during the cold weather

Calls to UK pest control companies have gone up by nearly a third since the start of this year's freezing winter weather.

Experts say the icy conditions have been driving the rodents inside where it's warmer and there's a supply of food and water.

Prokill, which has 14 centres nationwide, has had a 25-30% increase in calls to its support centre for rat and mouse infestations.

Another big pest control firm, Rentokil, said: "Normally we plan for a five or 10% increase in calls in the cold months. That has almost doubled this year."

The snow and ice has also made the problem worse by disrupting bin collections.

Councils in some parts of the country weren't able to take rubbish away for up to a month, which attracts rats to homes and businesses.

Dianne from Surrey had to call a pest control business this week.

She said: "I saw a rat in my garden and it was massive and disgusting.

"I came outside to get rid of it, and it just didn't care. It was the size of a shoe. If it came in my house I'd leave."

Taking precautions

If rats get into kitchens there are a health risk. They can carry germs like salmonella, which can lead to food poisoning.

Rats can also pass on Leptospirosis, known as Weil's disease, a bacterial infection that can cause symptoms such as internal bleeding.

It is, however, very rare in this country and the germ would have to be passed from the rat's urine directly into a cut on the skin or through the nose or mouth.

Experts say it's important to keep food in sealed containers and wipe down surfaces with an antibacterial before using them.

The way rats usually get into buildings is through small gaps in the bricks or concrete.

They then crawl up through cavity walls and can also get in through some holes in pipes outside.

Pest control firms say walls and holes should be repaired or blocked up where possible during cold weather.

They say it's best not to leave rubbish lying around outside for long and to make sure black bags are tied up.

And they also say it's not a good idea to leave food on or near the ground for the birds as that can also attract rodents.

Rat catchers usually leave blocks or trays of poison where they think the rats are coming in.

Some councils provide a similar service but in many areas you have to pay a private company and if the animals die in a building, it can cause a bad smell for several weeks.