Households in the UK have been issued a stark warning and “seal garages” now before an “enormous” epidemic hits. Rat sighting is very common during the winters and control experts and rat catchers are bracing the households for a “horrendous” few months.

Kieran Sampler, the founder of the Yorkshire Rat Pack, said the scorching summer, rampant takeaway culture and crumbling infrastructure would create perfect conditions for “enormous” rodents.

He told The Telegraph: “It is going to be a bad winter for rats, and people don’t realise – it is going to be horrendous. here is always going to be a bad winter after a good summer

“Over the years, it has been getting worse. The rats are getting a lot bigger. We are catching up to 22-inch rats, 19-inch rats are now standard – they are like a chihuahua. Give it a couple years and they will be 25 inches.”

Mr Sampler explained: “There is a lot more waste now than 20 years ago. There are more takeaways, more half-eaten food,” he said, adding: “There are a lot more high rise flats now with communal bin areas and this brings a lot more rats.

“We are catching 19/20-inch rats daily – it is getting beyond a joke.”

“These old houses with cast iron pipes – they are crumbling and rats are getting in,” he said.

The Yorkshire Rat Pack usually tackle jobs with three or four rat-catchers, each taking two dogs, but Mr Sampler said the biggest jobs can require up to 15 people.

The UK households have been warned to ensure their garages are sealed as we move into Sepetmber. CDC in the US says: “Seal any holes you find to stop rodents from entering.

“Fill small holes with steel wool. Put caulk around the steel wool to keep it in place or use spray foam. Use lath screen or metal, cement, hardware cloth, or metal sheeting to fix larger holes. Cut material to fit around pipes. Fix gaps in trailer skirting and use flashing around the base of the house.

“Seal outbuildings and garages as well.” It adds: “Contact your local or state health department if you’re concerned about a rodent infestation. You can contact a pest control specialist if rodents have gotten into areas that cannot be reached to clean.”