Pest Control: Rats

Rat Control

Get rid of rats & issues associated with rats.

Long term rat problems solved.

Rats can be problematic to remove, so it needs to be handled properly. Finding the cause of the rat problem is essential to solving it. When the cause is found, we can remove them without endangering children, pets or wildlife.

When rats are entering a building, finding out where they are getting in is paramount to success. There are many techniques used for this, both modern and traditional.

During your rat control programme, you will be advised about preventative measures to try and avoid it happening again. We have many years experience treating rat infestations in homes, pubs, restaurants, schools, farms, chicken runs and horse establishments.

Frequently we find customers have had intermittent rat problems for years, with repeated treatments sometimes leading to a totally unnecessary control contract.

A proper investigation will reveal the underlying source of rat problems, and with some proofing the rat problem is often sorted out permanently.

When dealing with rats, an in-depth knowledge of rat behaviour, up to date qualifications are essential tools. Rodent control is always carried out with complete safety and professionalism, so you can be assured that children, pets and wildlife will not be affected by our rat eradication methods.

 

Rat burrow near bird feeders in Halemere

Typical rat burrow.

Rats chewed handlebars.

Rat damage to bike grips.

Rat holes under bird table.

Rat holes under bird feeder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rats and drains

Rats can enter your property via the foul water drainage system. They do this when there is a defect in the sewage pipes within the foundation of your property, allowing rats to move through the cavity walls, loft and potentially into living areas.

We are pleased to have teamed up with a drain CCTV operator who specializes in finding rat entry points within the sewer and rainwater network on your property. If you are struggling to find how rat are getting into your property, we start with a site survey to eliminate any other possible entry points. Once we are sure the rat problem is associated with the drains, we can discuss the benefits of a full drain survey and instigate the CCTV survey.

CCTV drain surveys need to be specific in their approach to finding rat problems, so plucking a firm from the internet (in our experience) leads to an incomplete survey, and often completely missing the actual problem.

Contact us if you need guidance with drain problems.

Caution!

It is imperative that rat poison is used correctly by a professional to achieve proper control of the population, but also to protect people, pets and wildlife.

Incorrect use of rat poison can result in prosecution and large fines, so it pays to employ an expert rat control technician with a good understanding of the different rat poison products and their effect.

Non toxic rat control

We can also offer a completely non-toxic rat control option in certain conditions, such as rats living in chicken runs or compost bins.

It is now law that rat (and mouse) problems are tackled using non toxic methods first. Only when this is proved to be unsuccessful can rat poisons be used under strict guidelines.

Safety notes

Living or working in areas frequented by rats is extremely dangerous. For this reason alone, rats should be treated by a qualified, professional pest controller. Always wear gloves and make sure open wounds are covered when working near rats as the diseases they carry can be fatal.

Rats carry a range of diseases, some of which can be fatal to humans. Diseases caused or carried by rats include Weil’s disease, salmonella, Hantavirus, murine typhus, and rat bite fever. Anyone exposed to rat infestations should be aware of the risk of serious disease and take precautions to protect themselves. If you do have a rat problem, be very careful to wear protective equipment when clearing up or moving contaminated items. We can assist with cleaning and disinfecting operations if required.

Rats are extremely successful at colonising wherever food, water and shelter are available. They frequently take up residence in food outlets, around chicken housing, in loft spaces, and around compost heaps. Once they have become established in a human or livestock environment, they will contaminate foodstuffs and food preparation areas with urine and droppings, undermine buildings and drains with their digging and chew electric cables and plastic water pipes. You may have seen a rat in or around your home, heard noises in the loft, attic or wall cavity, or found rat droppings under the sink or kitchen units. If rats are living in your loft space, or cavity wall, then they may well be nesting and immediate treatment needs to be carried out.

Any of the problems listed below could be signs of rats living in your property.

Noises in the loft, such as scratching, gnawing, thumping or bumping? Maybe noises in the wall, ceiling or under floorboards?
Large black droppings under the sink, in the pantry or larder, or maybe you find them in other living or storage areas or loft space.
Have your electricity cables been chewed in the attic, maybe you have pipes or cables damaged on your dishwasher or washing machine. Damage to alarm cables is a common problem.
Chewed or otherwise damaged food packaging.
Nasty smells, or a mystery fly problem.
Have you seen a rat in the garden, or a rat in the compost bin?
Rats in the chicken run are a particularly common problem. Rats are often seen in the garden where they will easily climb onto a bird table or feeder.

We are happy to give you advice on feeding birds without attracting rats.

Rats in chicken runs-special notes

When rats are living in a chicken run, it is important that poison IS NOT placed anywhere the chickens can get to it, which includes into the rat burrows. Call a professional pest controller to carry out the work to avoid potentially exposing your chickens to poison.

Rat biology

Rats live in burrows, usually dug out near their food source. They need fresh water daily and eat nuts and seeds as their principal food, but will also eat insects and meat, so they are considered omnivorous. Rats will also attack small birds and animals. Rats are very adaptable when it comes to food and where to find it. Rats are nocturnal because it is safer for them to forage at night, however the need for food may force them to be out during the day. They are agile, and can climb trees, up vertical walls and leap up to 75cm high.

Young rats are born hairless and blind in a nest made by the female. The 6-11 young are weaned at 3 weeks old, and are sexually mature at 3-4 months. The gestation period is 21-24 days and potentially, rats can give birth every 28 days, so infestations can increase rapidly if conditions are favorable.