Pest control teams across the UK say they're getting more reports of brown rats rummaging through towns and cities than ever before.

Although there's no official figures for the UK, some experts reckon there's about five rats for every one of us!

Experts say we're partly to blame for the increase, because we're leaving out more food rubbish for them to feed on.

Fewer bin collections and warmer winters are also doing their bit to help boost the rat population.

Some of the places that are reported to have seen the biggest increase in rodents include York, Carlisle, Exeter and Salford.

Want to know more about the furry critters? Check out these rat facts...

• Brown rats are now the most common rat in the UK
• They're good swimmers and diggers, but rubbish at climbing
• When they're playing, rats make a chirping noise that only other rats and animals can hear
• A pair of rats can produce a family of 200 rats within just one year!