Rats and 'fire-starting squirrels' set to invade Britain's homes to avoid winter freeze

Brits are being warned of and squirrels looking to enter homes this winter to escape the cold and they bring a danger of starting a

can cause mayhem and spark blazes by chewing through cables when they set up home in our lofts, pest experts have warned. They are “very determined” animals and once they have found a way in, it is “exceptionally hard” to remove them.

Crafty and mice will also be scouting out toasty new locations in the coming weeks to avoid the freezing conditions later on. It comes as temperatures are set to plummet after this week and snow is on the forecast.

Rentokil warned that nimble rats are expert climbers and will clamber up collapsed drains if you're not careful. Homeowners are also likely to fall victim to squirrel squatters if their roof isn't secure.

READ MORE:

Paul Blackhurst, head of the pest control technical academy, said: "The biggest driver in their life is food, water and harbourage. If you can control those things, that is going to be more successful than things like chemicals, scents and different plants."

Grey squirrels are among the most destructive if they get into your roof, the expert warned. "They can cause a lot of damage to loft spaces by chewing up insulation, creating a large nest called a drey,” Paul said, reported the “If they are going to get in, they will get in at roof height through gaps in the roof space, so seal those with mesh.

"Squirrels don't hibernate. They are quite active throughout the winter." Trimming back overhanging trees and moving trellises can drastically reduce the chance of the pests gaining access. Home insurance claims relating to animal infestations are soaring, according to Insurance Times.

In one case, squirrels chomped through wiring causing a customer’s motorhome to catch fire because of an electrical fault in the dashboard. Another customer received an electric shock from a current running through their water pipes, caused by the rodents chewing wires.