Stay alert for unwanted rodents this Christmas

Ottoline Spearman

People are being reminded to stay alert for pests seeking warmth and shelter as the temperatures drop.

Pest control provider Rentokil has warned that common festive preparations like retrieving decorations from the attic can provide entry points for unwanted visitors.

The company recorded a 12 per cent increase in rat-related enquiries for the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same time last year.

Speaking on Newstalk, Colm Moore from Rentokil described the tell-tale signs that rodents might be in the house: "Some of the key signs are listening, and then one of the really obvious ones is sightings.

"Seeing animals running around the place, around bin areas or in the yard, scratching sounds, that could be an indication.

"And of course, then there's droppings as well."