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

Ultra-rats as big as rabbits are set to invade Scottish homes within weeks following the great summer feasting and breeding season aided by the bin strikes, experts have warned.

Experts are saying that the falling temperatures over autumn will see the disease-ridden creatures seek shelter report the Scottish Express. Residents are being urged to take extra precautions to protect their homes from the massive rodents this year as rats grow to extreme sizes.

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Experts explained that rats are getting bigger as a result of leftover energy going into body mass and growth, which means they are also breeding more than ever. Rats on average have 72 babies a year and these babies are ready themselves within a week.

Rats will set their sites on people's homes and gardens as there are a lot fewer burrows for them for the winter as their food source dwindles and temperatures drop.

Hull Live reports that gardening experts explained the heatwaves and a large amount of food during the bin strikes provided ideal conditions for rats to breed and feast.

Chris Bonnett, the founder of Gardening Express told the website: “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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