PEST control experts have revealed the worst areas in the UK for super rat invasions and how keep rodents out of your garden.
There are now more than 150 million of the disease-ridden pests across Britain – with some as big as cats.
Experts said that rats are becoming immune to normal control methods – with rodent populations exploding in many UK cities.
Officials figures show Swansea in Wales is top of the league for rats – recording more than 16,000 infestations.
Southwark in South London has the second-biggest rat problem with 16,665infestations – and neighbouring borough Lambeth places ninth on the list.
Third place in the rat-race goes to Birmingham, with 12,736 infestations, followed by Liverpool.
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Glasgow takes fifth place, with North Lanarkshire the other Scottish local authority in the top ten.
The remaining spots in the top ten go to Sunderland, Wigan and Nottingham.
Pest control expert Stuart Halliday revealed his three tops tips for doing your bit in the war on rats – or at least for keeping them out of your garden.
He told The Sun: "The best way to keep the rats out is to keep your grass cut and you garden well maintained.
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"Rats hate a change of environment so things like trimming the hedges, cutting the grass – that will put them off.
"They won’t want to be there because you’re moving it around too much.
"If it’s unkempt and the grass is tall and the flowerbeds are messy they will love it there.
"Another thing is making sure you are keeping any compost in proper sealed containers. Rats love grassy compost because it’s food.
"If they can’t get to your barbeque they will go for that in your shed. Don't leave bags of compost outside.
"The final thing is water. Rats need a lot of water for their size to survive.
"If you're leaving buckets of old rainwater around your garden, you’re just making them a nice home. They will be attracted to that water source."
The research, from Direct Line Home insurance, says there has been a 12 per cent rise in residential rodent call outs since 2020.
Last year local authorities dealt with 226,831 rodent infestations – the equivalent of 621 per day costing councils a combined estimated spend of £36million.
Eastbourne Council saw the highest increase in rodent infestations in 2022 with 598, up from 208 in 2021 – a massive 188 per cent increase.
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It comes after a rat expert revealed how you can use a common kitchen staple to keep vermin out of your house.
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