Rats are ‘targeting’ Christmas food and drink being stored in garages and sheds

As we hurtle towards Crimbo and temperatures plummet, many folk are tempted to hoard treats outside as fridges and kitchen cupboards rapidly fill up.Rodents are after festive food, experts say(Image: Getty)

People storing Christmas food and drink in garages and sheds have been warned the festive goodies are being targeted by thieving rodents.

As we hurtle towards Crimbo and temperatures plummet, many folk are tempted to hoard treats outside as fridges and kitchen cupboards rapidly fill up.

Expert Simon Taylor, from garage and shed firm Lidget Compton, said: “By preparing early and spreading the cost, many Brits will buy Christmas food items for parties, meals and gifts, weeks, sometimes even months, in advance, storing it in their garage or outhouse before the big day.

“But these foods, especially indulgent festive foods, are very attractive to rodents, who are likely to find them in garages as they have a very good sense of smell. They can even detect scents through packaging, doors and walls.”

People are being warned not to store food in their sheds(Image: John Keeble via Getty Images)

Mr Taylor added: “Rats chew constantly as their teeth are continually growing, and they must chew things to file them down. This means storing food in any areas rats can enter will attract them, and they will not only eat and damage the food you’ve stored, but may damage other items, such as cars, lawnmowers and power tools.”

A report by the outbuildings firm found the number of Brits googling “how to get rid of rats” had hit 9,000 searches per month – jumping 13% in the past week.

Mr Taylor said: “Rats love clutter and will hide and scavenge in anything left on the floor of your garage or outhouse. To prevent attracting these tiny intruders, try and keep your garage as tidy as possible, with storage solutions, such as shelving and boxes.

“Wherever you can, keep items off the floor, on high shelving to prevent spaces of clutter.

“In addition, rodents are also attracted to bins, so keep your bins far away from your garage or garden room to prevent them from easily moving to the garage.”

It comes after we revealed that monster rats are causing millions of pounds of damage to cars across Britain – and Teslas are their favourite. The rodents are attracted to electric vehicles’ wiring which tastes to them like peanuts, according to pest control experts.

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