A number of pest control experts have warned homeowners to watch out for large rats the size of cats raising their heads in your bathrooms.
According to pest controllers, the giant rodents are sneaking their way into UK homes through water pipes and toilets.
In what seems to be becoming a common occurrence, large rats in toilets are being reported by horrified homeowners with increasing frequency.
As they can apparently tread water for days, experts are now warning people to rat-proof their homes to ward off the rodents.
According to pest control experts, the frequency of “monster rodents” is thought to have risen as of late due to councils avoiding collecting domestic waste every week to reduce costs and meet government recycling quotas, and due to house extensions during the pandemic.
It’s also thought that because more people are now working from home, rats don’t have as much food to eat in city centres, and so are coming into homes instead.
The frequency of “monster rodents” is thought to have risen as of late / Credit: Pxfuel
Pest control expert Terry Walker – who runs TP Pest Control Services – explained that: “Bins used to be collected every week, and now it’s once a fortnight [so] when it comes to them being collected, the rats have already had their fill.
“Years ago, I would have been excited to catch a 19-inch rat, but now I catch them regularly [and] I’m sure my record is going to be broken soon.
“It’s only a matter of time.”
Echoing what Mr Walker said, fellow pest control expert Ian Helands from Pests Be Gone told The Daily Star that “no one is safe” from a rodent visit during the winter, adding: “I have had more call-outs than ever from homeowners who have heard a noise, looked down into their toilet only to find a giant rat.
“Rats are excellent swimmers with bendy bones, can squeeze into the smallest of spaces, hold their breath for three minutes, tread water for three days… and are cunning and getting bolder and bolder.”
“Basically, if they want to get into your home, they will,” he added.
Both experts associated the problem with the pandemic.
Since COVID began, the Pests Be Gone boss claimed there has been a 25% increase in rat reports, and some of the rodents he has seen were “the size of cats”.
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
The Hoot -
23rd February 2022 
