Latest news with #Moll
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Chicago gears up for record-breaking Memorial Day travel rush
The Brief Record road trips: 39.4 million Americans expected to travel by car, up 1 million from last year. Traffic alerts: Peak congestion Friday until 8 p.m. and Saturday from 2–6 p.m. Gas down, caution up: Fuel averages $3.19; AAA urges drivers to stay prepared. CHICAGO - Millions of Americans are hitting the road or taking flight for Memorial Day weekend, kicking off what's expected to be the busiest holiday travel period in two decades, according to travel experts. What we know By lunchtime Friday, traffic had already started building in Chicagoland—setting the tone for a hectic weekend on the highways. Between planes, trains, and automobiles, AAA predicts that 45.1 million Americans are scheduled to travel domestically—more than 50 miles from home—between Thursday, May 22 and Monday, May 26. This surpasses the previous record of 44 million people set in 2005, experts report. Of this year's travelers, 39.4 million people are expected to drive to their destinations — one million more than last year. Part of that increase is thanks to prices at the pump. The national average, on Friday, was $3.19 per gallon, which is about 40 cents cheaper than last Memorial Day. Illinoisans are expected to make up 2.1 million travelers in the national forecast. On Saturday, experts recommend hitting the road before noon with the heaviest traffic forecast between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. On Sunday, the worst time to travel by car is expected to be between 1 and 5 p.m., while AAA Spokesperson Molly Hart explains your best bet for Monday: "For those that are leaving on Memorial Day, you want to get on the road before 2 p.m., and if not, you want to wait until after 7 p.m.—that's how congested the roads are going to be. Some people do have the flexibility if they work remote and can leave on Tuesday and the traffic will be a bit less," Hart said. Air travel will also see an increase this holiday—up 2 percent over last year. When it comes to flying, popular weekend destinations this weekend include New York, Orlando, Las Vegas, and Seattle. What they're saying When it comes to road trips, the travel surge is likely to drive delays and headaches for those on the road. Hart urges motorists to be cautious and prepared. "Last year nationally, we rescued 356,000 stranded motorists. We don't want you to be one of them. But if it does happen, you need to pull over to the shoulder as far as you can. Put the hazard lights on. Call AAA for a tow truck operator to come assist you and if you do need to get out of the car, make sure you're looking at the traffic before you get out," she said. What's next AAA recommends drivers get their vehicles checked out before hitting the road for the busy weekend, including topping off your fluids and testing your vehicle's battery and brakes. "Even before you get in the car, you want to make sure your windshield wipers are working properly; you also want to pack that emergency kit," Hart said. Travel experts suggest keeping an emergency car kit in your vehicle at all times. "It should include your cellphone charger, jumper cables, some water, nonperishable snacks, and of course as you're driving, make sure everyone is wearing your seatbelt, no distractions, we want you to get to your Memorial Day weekend destination safely," Hart said. For the latest on fuel prices, CLICK HERE. The Source FOX 32's Kasey Chronis reported on this story.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Case 137' Director Dominik Moll on Exploring the Gilets Jaunes Riots in His Cannes-Premiering Political Drama: ‘These Divisions Still Exist' in French Society
Dominik Moll, the Cesar-winning French director whose film 'Case 137' world premiered in competition at Cannes on Thursday evening, talked about the timeliness of his movie which tackles police misconduct through the prism of a meticulous investigation. 'Case 137' is set during France's yellow vests protests and centers on a young man who gets injured by by a flash-ball projectile. Léa Drucker, who is also at Cannes with Laura Wandel's 'Adam's Sake,' stars in 'Case 137' as an investigator in the French IGPN (internal affairs) department who is assigned the task of determining who is responsible for the incident. More from Variety São Paulo's Film Cash Rebate Delivers Early Wins, Sets Stage for 2025 Edition Brazil's Trailblazing Film-TV Org Spcine Turns 10 'Left-Handed Girl' Review: Sean Baker Collaborator Shih-Ching Tsou's Solo Debut Pulses Like Taipei After Dark Moll started working on the project years ago, during the violent Gilets Jaunes protests that rocked the country in 2018 and 2019 as a vehicle to probe divides in French society. Yet, the film wasn't meant to be a bombshell political thriller as was Ladj Ly's 'Les Miserables' or Romain Gavras' 'Athena,' to name a couple French movies looking at police brutality. 'I don't like the idea of a film 'coup de poing,'' said Moll. 'What I like to do is try to explain how an institution works.' Speaking of the backdrop of the Gilets Jaunes riots, Moll said: 'It was a period that eroded political power and led to reactions and overreactions in terms of the deployment of law enforcement. It's a movement that really exposed the divisions that exist in French society, particularly between the big cities and Paris, and small towns or rural areas where many people feel invisible and ignored, or where public services are declining. It was quite symptomatic of that.' 'Now, it feels like it's very far away, but these divisions still exist, and it seemed like a good way to talk about them, especially since the Gilets Jaunes movement is now really part of French history. I think it's important to tackle issues like this,' Moll continued. The film marks Moll's follow up to 'The Night of the 12th' which charted a police investigation surrounding the gruesome murder of a young woman. The film struck a chord in France and won an impressive six prizes at the Cesar Awards, including best film, director and adapted screenplay for Moll and Gilles Marchand, as well as promising actor for Bastien Bouillon. Drawing a parallel between the two movies, Moll said 'The Night of the 12th' 'really made me want to continue my interest in police institutions and how they work.' 'The advantage of police investigations is that you can work on cases from the field, with all the tension and suspense, etc. and you can also slip in other themes,' said Moll. 'In 'The Night of the 12th, it was violence against women. Here, it's more about police violence during law enforcement operations, but through a police investigation conducted by the IGPN, the police watchdog. That's what interested me. I felt there was material for fiction in seeing police officers investigating other police officers.' Caroline Benjo, who produced both 'Case 137' and 'The Nights of the 12th,' with Carole Scotta at Haut et Court, said both movies are 'clearly restorative.' ''The Night of the 12th' was 'a very harsh film, even a little grim and very graphic, and yet it felt cathartic,' Benjo said. 'I feel that with Dominique, the way he invests in spaces (…) which are the grey areas. It's these grey areas, those of nuance and complexity, that we have completely abandoned, when in reality they are the ones we absolutely must reconnect with,' said the producer. 'Case 137' has been critically lauded, with Variety's review describing it as a 'starkly effective' and 'riveting police procedural,' and praising Drucker's 'superb' performance as a 'dogged inspector investigating an egregious case of riot police misconduct.' Before its premiere, 'Case 137' sparked some headlines after news broke that one of its supporting actors, Theo Navarro-Mussy, had been banned by the Cannes Film Festival organizers from walking the red carpet amid accusations of rape and sexual assault. 'Case 137' is represented internationally by of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Amanda Moll wins multiple weekly awards after record-setting weekend
Amanda Moll wins multiple weekly awards after record-setting weekend Amanda Moll may have a strong argument for the most dominant season by a Husky athlete by the end of the school year. Days after setting her fifth NCAA record of the season, the sophomore pole vaulter was named the USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week for the third time this year. All three awards have come after Moll set a collegiate record. Moll was also named Big Ten Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week after being named the conference's Indoor Field Athlete of the Year in March. Moll's 15-7 1/4 clearance at Saturday's Desert Heat Classic in Tucson, Arizona, bested the previous outdoor record held by Paris Olympian Brynn King, who cleared a bar one centimeter lower at the Texas Relays earlier this season. Moll already held the indoor and overall record at 16-1 1/4, set on February 28. That mark remains the best in the world this year - the 15-7 1/4 clearance from Saturday would be sixth in the world as well. Moll and her twin sister Hana went 1-2 in Tucson, elevating the two of them to 1-2 in the NCAA Division I standings as well. (King competes for D-II Roberts Wesleyan.) Hana currently has the fourth-best vault in the world this year, also from February 28, and the two of them look to be in a league of their own as the NCAA Championships near. Only two other Division I athletes have cleared the 15-foot mark this season: Baylor's Molly Haywood and Oklahoma's Olivia Lueking.
Forbes
29-04-2025
- Forbes
Wine Tasting On The Island Of Mallorca In Spain
The Beautiful Island of Mallorca Spain Has Over 100 Wineries getty Mallorca, a sun-drenched Spanish island in the Mediterranean, has been producing wine for more than 2,000 years. Like other European wine-growing regions, its vineyards were ravaged by phylloxera in the late 19th century. It took a while for the industry to re-establish itself, but today, there are over 100 wineries flourishing on the island. Many of Mallorca's wineries are small family-run operations, and therefore, going wine-tasting on the island does take some planning. Recently, I had a chance to visit several 'bodegas' while on vacation and was not only enchanted by wines made from unique grapes not found anywhere else in the world, but also by the passion of the wine professionals. For wine lovers, one of the greatest joys is the opportunity to sample a wine made from a unique grape that isn't readily found in other locations. Though Mallorca still grows the ubiquitous chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon found in different parts of the world, it has seven indigenous grapes, of which three are the most cultivated: Manto Negro – a red grape that produces very fragrant fuller-bodied wines with notes of mixed berries, red plum, spice and a hint of black pepper. The wines generally have soft smooth tannins, and are often blended with cabernet sauvignon, syrah and/or merlot. Callet - a red grape that produces medium-bodied wines with notes of red cherry, minerals and herbs. It usually has light silky tannins and boasts a higher acidity. Callet is also blended with other red grapes, and can be used to produce rosé wines. Moll – a white grape that produces fragrant floral wines with refreshing lemon and lime notes. It is frequently blended with chardonnay. Also called Presnal Blanc. 'Mallorca is the only place that grows the Moll and Manto Negro grapes we use in our wines,' stated Toni Mateu Vera, hospitality director and retail manager with Bodegas Miquel Gelabert, when I stopped by to visit. 'They are two of our most important grapes.' Other lesser-known local grapes include Escurçac, Giró Ros, Fogoneu and Gorgollasa. A Glass of White Wine Made from the Moll Grape on Mallorca getty The island also has two official appellations, or Denominations of Origin (DO), as they are referred to in Spain. These are the Binissalem DO, established in 1991, which is the largest of the two, and Pla i Llevant DO created in 2001. To become a DO the government of Spain must approve the region as having special characteristics, including adherence to growing specific grape varietals and following regulated viticulture practices. In addition, there are three IGP regions (Protected Geographical Indications): Vi de la Terra Illes Balears, Vi de la Terra Serra de Tramuntana-Costa Nord, and the larger island IGP of Vi de la Terra Mallorca. The Mediterranean climate with its hot dry summers and cool rainy winters are ideal for grape-growing. Likewise, the limestone and clay soil in the vineyards, along with the protecting mountain ranges on the north side of the island creates unique microclimates for the grapes. A Map of the Major Wine Regions of Mallorca, Spain Google Maps & Thach Perhaps because of the smaller size of many of the wineries, it takes some advance planning to go winetasting on Mallorca. Following are a few tips to help you plan for a day or longer of winetasting on the beautiful island. Several tour companies schedule winery visits and provide transportation so you don't need to worry about driving. Some options to consider are: Mallorca Wine Tours and Cellar Tours of Mallorca, along with both TripAdvisor and Viator who have lists of 8 to 10 different wine tours on their sites. Tours range from $25 to $120 per person. The majority depart from Palma, the capital city, which is only about a 30-minute drive to wineries in the Binissalem DO or 45 minute drive to wineries near the Pla i Llevant DO. Most of the Mallorcan wineries (called 'bodegas,' which means 'cellar') will have a contact page on their website to reserve a private tour and tasting of one to two hours in length. These usually cost around $30 per person, but can be higher depending on the length of the tour and the number of wines tasted. A great place to get started is the Mallorca Wine Trail website, which provides directions and contact information for more than 100 wineries. Also, the 2024 book entitled Mallorca & Wine: The Bodegas and Their Stories, provides an excellent overview of the wineries on the island, including beautiful photographs. It also provides recommendations on restaurants that have the best local wine lists. Renting a car and driving around the island is relatively easy, but it is important to appoint a designated driver as the drunk driving laws in Mallorca are strictly enforced. A few wineries to consider visiting are: Vins Miquel Gelabert, Anima Negra, Binigrau, Bodegas Macia Batle, and Nadal, as well as the two listed in the next section. A Flight of Wines Made from Mallorcan Grapes at Jose J. Ferrer Winery Thach A few of the larger wineries, such as Bodegas Ribas and Bodegas Jose J. Ferrer, allow visitors to drop in without an appointment and pay for a flight of wines. The prices are usually quite affordable, and range from only $10 to $20 euros per person for 4 to 6 wines, including crackers or another small snack. When I visited Bodega Jose. J. Ferrer without an appointment, I was welcomed warmly by Yvonne, the hospitality rep. She explained the tasting options, and then spent a lot of time describing the wines, winemaking and vineyards. 'We are always very busy,' she said, 'with many visitors and events.' She mentioned that they frequently host weddings, as well as corporate meetings. The tasting room is brightly lit with tasteful displays of wines and other merchandise, along with multiple indoor and outdoor seating areas for sampling wine. Mallorcan cuisine is delicious and heavily focused on seafood, though there are also excellent pork and lamb dishes. Given the strong gastronomy heritage of Spain and pride in local ingredients, almost every restaurant offers local wines, as well as bars and other retail locations. These can be purchased by the glass or bottle, and are another great opportunity to enjoy wines from Mallorca. Steep Mountains of Mallorca Create Microclimates for Grape Growing getty Over 12 million tourists visit Mallorca every year, according to Road Genius. They are drawn there by the magnificent cove beaches, stunning mountains, excellent food and historical sites. The weather is also a huge attraction, with plenty of sunshine and warmth in the summer and early autumn months. Some of the top activities and destinations include: 1) exploring historic Palma and the famous gothic Cathedral of Palma started in 1229; 2) boating or sailing to hidden cove beaches; 3) visiting the mountain-top villages of Soller, Deia, and Valldemossa; 4) exploring the Caves of Drach; 5) swimming and snorkeling, and 6) enjoying local food and wine, and many other activities. The very steep and windy mountain roads, such as the famous Sa Calobra (Snake Road) are also very popular with bikers, hikers, and those who enjoy driving through such magnificent scenery. The Magnificent Cathedral of Palma, on the Island of Mallorca in Spain Thach
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Expert reveals how to avoid gardening disaster: Why out of control BBQs, failed attempts at pest control and rotten decking could ruin your summer
Summer sunshine and gardening bliss are just around the corner, but so too are the dreaded green-thumbed disasters that come along with it. From broken bones because of rotten decking to a garden reduced to ash by a faulty gas canister, there are several ways that your perfect summer could be ruined by a garden fail. And even nature can sometimes be against us, with invasive and toxic plants such as Giant Hogweed having the ability to leave innocent homeowners with painful third degree burns. Not only that, but Japanese Knotweed p oses a huge risk to homes, making them unsellable once a property is in their tight grip. Even bees and wasps, which swarm around even more in the enjoyable summer heat, can pose problems for gardeners up and down the nation. With several factors including poison and toppling trees proving to be a danger to your home, it's hard to know how to avoid a garden disaster and be at ease this summer. Although possible issues seem to be ever-lurking around the corner of your beloved backyard, there are ways to dodge these devastating blunders altogether. Luckily, gardening expert and head of Scribehound Gardening, Jane Perrone has shared how you can avoid a ruined garden in the coming warmer months. Exploding BBQs and fire pits It isn't only decking that poses a danger in your garden, dreaded fire pits, BBQs also do too, as well as the gas canisters that come with them. Earlier this week, a couple's £12,000 garden renovation went up in smoke after their trendy gas fire pit exploded. A TikTok user, who goes by 'Moll', shared the shocking scenes as furious flames tore through her beloved before swallowing her home. The blaze is understood to have been sparked after a suspected gas leak in her ageing firepit caused the blaze to grow violently out of control. Moll revealed both she and her neighbours attempted to fight the inferno but were later ordered by the fire service to leave it amid fears two gas bottles could 'blow up'. Green thumbed gardening expert, Mr Perrone urges homeowners to ensure they had the correct fire equipment that was up to do date. 'If you've got some 20 year old gas canister that's in your garage, and you get it out and think I'll give this a whirl, that's probably not the best idea,' she said. 'From my own experience, it's really a question of if the canister is showing damage and if it is don't use it. Make sure it's all up to date.' If in any doubt, she recommends green-thumbed bandits head to a shops that sell gas canisters, such as homeware stores, to be clear on the safety regulations. 'My view is don't play with garden especially in the garden. If in doubt switch on some LED fairy lights,' she said. She also warned of the fire risk posed by compost as well as piled-up grass clippings piling in your beloved backyard. 'It can get so hot that it [grass clippings] can ignite, particularly when we're having these very unpredictably hot summers,' she said. Bee and wasp infestations Humans aren't the only creature who want to come out and play as soon as there is glimmer of sun, bees and wasp also want their moment in the sun on occasion. As the weather because warmer, wasps become more of a nuisance, buzzing around in our gardens in a bid to find sweet substances and food. And although they may bother us more during the summer months, they tend to nest in sheltered spaces such as roofs, their bee peers tend to swarm outdoors. However their bee peers do not, as Dave Freiter can attest. The 62-year-old accidentally became an beekeeper after a huge bee colony emerged outside his home in Maidstone, Kent. Shocking photos from a bin outside his home shows a swarm of bees taking over his waste bin outside of his home. 'Of course, if you have a wasp nest that's forming in the door of your shed or something - that is not ideal,' Ms Perrone explained. 'Really wasps only cause an issue in terms of flying around at the end of summer, when they tend to be looking for sugary things like ice lollies. 'I would say, leave them alone, unless they are taking over your bin or shed.' When it comes to bumblebee hives, she encourages green-thumbed enthusiasts to find their local beekeeper of beekeeping association to handle the matter. 'Sometimes they can come and remove swarms,' she said: 'Wasps, again, you need to get a pest controller in to deal with that. 'But where we can, if we can leave bees alone and just let them get on with their business, then that's really good for our gardens.' Toxic and invasive plants Toxic and invasive plants can prove to be a serious concern for homeowners both for their health and the value of their home. And having a nasty encounter with the dreaded sap of a Giant Hogweed would not only spell serious and painful blisters, but the end of your outdoor enjoyment this summer. The sap from very tall and striking plant stops the skin protecting itself against the sun, leading to gruesome burns when exposed to daylight, and while there is often no immediate pain, victims can continue to burn in the sun heedless of any problem. A barmaid all too familiar with the painful consequences of Giant Hogweed is Chloe Douglas from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, who once woke up to a red rash covering her hands and neck, after using a sunbed the night before. The 20-year-old didn't recall ever encountering the dreaded giant hogweed and assumed she was simply 'unlucky' and had reacted with 'prickly heat' after her tanning session. However, the red rash grew into nasty painful blisters as the day wore on and she went to seek medical help, where medics told her Giant Hogweed was the possible cause of her painful third-degree burns. What is giant hogweed? 'Britain's most dangerous plant': Found across the country the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) looks harmless enough but can deliver life-changing injuries Giant hogweed is a non-native species to the UK. It was first introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant in the 19th century after being discovered in the Caucasus Mountains and Central Asia. The plant escaped and naturalised in the wild and can now be found throughout much of the UK - especially on river banks as its seeds are transported by the water. It has been spreading uncontrollably across Scotland for decades, producing up to 50,000 seeds which can survive for many years. But the sap of the weed, which looks like a giant version of the harmless plant cow parsley, is extremely toxic to humans and animals, causing horrific burns on the skin. The skin remains sensitive to UV light for many years - and can even cause blindness if near the eyes. Every year, thousands of people, including children and pets, suffer life-changing injuries from Giant Hogweed after accidentally coming into contact with it out in the wild. 'It is a horrible plant,' Ms Perrone explained: 'There have been lots of cases of that where children playing, picking a plant. 'And then they end up with all like really really bad burns and some blisters on their face.' Her advice, is to summon in the experts when dealing with such an aggressive weed: 'If you're really worried about it, get a professional horticulturist in to do it for you. 'They are very used to dealing with this kind of thing, and they will be able to do that safely and have all the equipment.' But Hogweed isn't the only wrangling weed that strikes fear into the hearts of homeowners across the nation, so too does the sight of Japanese Knotweed scaling the garden fences. According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the invasive plant is a peristene clum-forming herbaceous perennial, and it has the ability to knock off thousands from your homes' value if it spreads to your property. For grandmother Glenys Parsons the 'nightmare' of Japanese Knotweed was her reality, with an invasion by the garden menace leaving her seaside home in south Wales unsellable. The Knotweed, which covered almost every inch of the now-widowed Mrs Parsons' garden and began to destabilise a 15-foot retaining wall at the edge of her property. 'It is a total nightmare,' said retired carer Mrs Parsons, 69, who has a son and two granddaughters. But the harder they toil, the faster and more vigorously it grows back, Mrs Parsons said. Again Ms Perrone's advice is to call in the professionals when it comes to pesky Japanese Knotweed as the plant is covered by The Wildlife and Countrside Act 1981 as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1990. 'If you've got it in your garden, you're not just going to be able to cut it down and put it in the green waste bin, because it's classed as controlled waste,' she explained. 'You have to get in a professional to deal with it, there are various ways of removing it, and there are several companies that will help you with that.' Rotten decking You don't expect to plunge through a rotten garden decking while basking in the warm weather - but this was Scott Eaves reality. The Welshman, 48, from Penrhyndeudraeth wound up with a broken foot after his garden decking gave way beneath him as he hung up his washing. As the birds chirp in the sunlight, shocking footage shows Mr Eaves dramatically plummet through his wooden decking. The 48-year-old was forced to spend eight hours in hospital after the fall, which also left him with a bloodied nose and a 'fat lip', after his attempt to make the most of a sunny spring day backfired. Ms Perrone recommends homeowners always keep a watchful eye on their decking's maintenance for any possible 'weak spots' blighted by damp conditions. 'Obviously wood decking is made of a material that does degrade over time and it was very popular about 10 or 15 years ago,' she said. 'So there's likely a lot of decking around the country, that is a little bit older, and maybe just hasn't been maintained. 'There will be areas of the decking that will wear more quickly than others, and that can be down to all kind of actors, including exposure to the elements or a dripping drain pipe. 'So go and check your decking and look for areas of weakness, for wobbly boards or ones that are warped and are in differently alignment to the rest. She added: 'Getting down on your hands and knees and having a little feel, obviously preferably not with your foot, but you'll probably be able to see which bits are starting to go.' To keep your decking in tip top shape and avoid injuries, she advises to place any rotting boards immediately as well as keeping the wood treated with an appropriate decking stain. Cutting down trees The temptation to cut down a tree towering your home is sometimes overbearing, but there are several factors to take into account before picking up your chainsaw. But you should be wary, as taking to a tree with an axe outside your home may not only result in it toppling onto your property - you could be slapped with a hefty fine. Ms Perrone explains that is important to check the status of a tree giving it the chop as they may have a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) in place. A TPO is legal mechanism used by local planning authorities in England to protect the organisms, and violating could result in you paying thousands in fines. Last October, wealthy businessman, Khalil Hussain, 67, was fined the paltry sum of £1,666, after he felled six protected 100-year-old oak trees from his front garden. The oak trees were worth an estimated £250,000 collectively and cutting them dwon contravened a tree preservation order. Mr Hussain pled guilty to the charge of contravening a tree preservation order before Bradford Magistrates Court in October, and in addition to the controversial fine, was ordered to stump up for £3,000 worth of costs. Gardening expert, Ms Perrone stresses that gardeners seek advice from the council before moving ahead with any tree removal. 'You have to remember about trees is some, including ones in your garden, potentially have got a TPO in place,' she said. 'And so there are certain trees which you might not be able to do anything with, or you might need to consult the council first. 'Most councils have some kind of tree officer as part of their kind of green spaces team, and they will be able to advise you.' She added: 'Whatever you do, don't try and do it yourself, this is why people train as tree surgeons - it's a very dangerous business.' How to deal with rats and pest plaguing your garden Pests in your home or garden is nothing short of hellish - and no doubt there would be an irresistible urge to set down poison to eradicate them. Lesleyanne Walker's £400,000 home in Bushey, near Watford was taken over by a plague of gorging rats last summer. So much so, she had to pull on a protective outfit before she stepped outside and searches for the rodents before she safely let out her dog every morning. Her neighbour Marina Gvilova, in the house opposite in Bushey, near Watford, even had her car damaged by rats eating through plastic under the bonnet. Ms Walker, who suffers from anxiety, claimed the infestation came from the vermin burrowing in from a neighbour's unkempt garden. She told MailOnline last year: 'This is absolutely disgusting. I shouldn't have to be living like this.' And while setting down poison might be the first decision to go through any one in such a predicament's mind, Ms Perrone says you should act with extreme caution. 'Other Wildlife be affected, and if you put poison down, and then rats consume that, that's the main source of food for owls, and it affects the food chain,' she said. 'So it's really tricky. My main advice would be if you're going to buy any of these products, read and stick to the instructions extremely carefully. 'And that you're particularly cautious if you do have children or pets wandering around, because that is a real risk factor.' She added: 'It may feel like you're saving money by doing some kind of like homegrown solution to these things, but sometimes those shortcuts can be can work very badly. So again, call in the experts to deal with those issues.' The gardening expert also noted how most councils offer pest control services, and are available at a reduced rates to some residents.
