UK Family Horrified by Discovery of 20-inch Long Rat in Their Garden

Giant Rat Discovered in Garden Sparks Nationwide Concern

In an unexpected find, a 20-inch long rat was discovered dead in a garden in Minster, on the Isle of Sheppey, on August 1, 2022. This discovery has sparked nationwide concern, with experts attributing the upsurge in rodent sightings to various factors such as food waste bins, feeding wildlife, and housing developments.

The rat, without its tail, measured at least 32 centimeters, and with the tail, it reached about 52 centimeters. The discovery was made by Ethan Squire, a music student at Bristol University, who took a picture of the rat's body.

This isn't the first instance of a supersized rat being found in the UK. Last month, a similar 22-inch rat was discovered in Yorkshire. However, experts have clarified that rats aren't growing larger. The average UK brown rat only grows between 15 and 27 centimeters.

Phil Golding, a Kent-based pest control expert, hasn't seen a rat bigger than the 16-incher that latched onto his foot in 2016. He believes the increase in rodent sightings is due to housing developments pushing rats closer towards people's homes.

Council control services were called out to more than 290,000 homes across the UK last year, an increase of 9% compared to 2022. Local authorities responded to 52 more rat or mouse-related call-outs per day last year compared with 2021.

Rats are known for their destructive tendencies and can also spread potentially serious diseases. They are mostly nocturnal, but signs to look out for include tunnels or 'runs', droppings, gnawed wood, or teeth marks in crops. Rats tend to set up home beneath decking, in sheds or greenhouses, and compost heaps.

The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) requires hard evidence of an explosion in rat size before making claims. Despite the discoveries, they maintain that rats aren't growing larger. People feeding wildlife in their gardens encourages rats, making them more frequent sightings.

This incident serves as a reminder for homeowners to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent rat infestations. It's essential to keep gardens clean, avoid feeding wildlife, and ensure that food waste is properly disposed of to deter rats from entering residential areas.