They have flourished through feeding and breeding and will be seeking refuge as temperatures fall - here's how to keep them away

Rats have had a great summer feasting and breeding and will soon be seeking refuge in people's homes and gardens. Experts say falling temperatures over autumn will see the disease-ridden giant ultra-rats, which can grow to the size of rabbits, seek shelter.

And Brits have been urged to take extra precautions to protect their homes from the massive rodents. Experts from Gardening Express say that the heatwaves and the abundance of food from uncollected rubbish and leftovers have provided the ideal conditions for rats to feast and breed fast - resulting in the invasion of giant ultra-rats.

Rats are getting bigger as a result of their leftover energy going into body mass and growth meaning they’re also breeding more than ever. Rats 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 less 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.”