Lots of people have cameras inside their homes as they help to make them feel more secure. However, sometimes they can pick up things that we least expect - and that's exactly what happened to one man from London.

Oliver Smith, who posts on TikTok as oliverrobertsmith, said he was out and about one day when his bedroom camera detected movement at this property, and he was intrigued to see what it could be. He was notified by his camera app that something was moving, and he wondered what could have triggered it, so he logged on to have a look - little did he know what would greet him from afar.

He then saw a video of a rat crawling around his bedroom and looking in to the camera, which obviously left him stunned. He admitted he was "horrified", so he decided to open the patio doors, clean out the bins and bleach the bins in the hope it would ease the situation and aid pest control.

However, a little while later, the app sent him a second alert, and he received another image of a rat in his home. He then called his parents to help him out, and they set up traps at the property.

Oliver said he's sure other people in London have experienced similar situations, but it did leave him stunned. In fairness, a rat is the last thing you expect to see on your home camera system, and he confessed it was "disgusting".

Since it was shared, the video has been viewed hundreds of times, and people were quick to comment too. They offered different tips and advice.

One said: "You need to get pest control in ASAP. Mice get everywhere, but rats are bigger so are actually easier to stop. They should be able to rat-proof your flat."

Another added: "Best thing you can do is contact the council. They have pest controllers who are generally really helpful and know how to stop them."

A third replied: "For every rat you see, there are 10 you don't. Call pest control now."

Meanwhile, a fourth shared an awful experience, commenting: "We have such a bad rat problem (up north so nothing related to London). In my area we've had rat infestations three times in the six years I've lived here - rats have genuinely traumatised me."

How to prevent rats

If you want to limit the chances of rats getting in to your home then you need to seal potential entry points. Secure the seals and make sure there aren't any visible gaps around the property as they will be attracted to shelter and food.

Make sure you inspect the door frame well, and ensure there are no cracks, holes or gaps in the frame, floor or walls. Especially pay attention to the corners.

You can use a few things to try and fill the gaps. Some methods include using weather-resistant caulk or sealant or using steel wool to fill small holes. You can seal this with caulk or spray foam.

Another idea is to try putting metal flashing at the bottom and sides of doors to aid the problem. If, however, you're worried that rats have entered the property, it's best to seek the advice of a pest control expert.

They will always best advise you on how to deal with a rat problem. Sometimes professional help is needed to remedy the issue.