Why do Rats need to be Controlled
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- 29-03-2021
Have you wondered: Why do rats need to be controlled? If you experience the signs of a rat infestation, you need to act fast. Find out more about the dangers of rats in your property.
There are so many dangers of having a rat infestation. Rats spread diseases, can damage your property, cause your business to be shut down by public health, and so much more. Rats move around to find a constant food source, shelter and water.
Our pest control services in Staffordshire regularly help customers deal with rat infestations.
The Dangers of Rats
In the 14th and 17th century, black rats were thought to be the cause of the Black Death Plague in Europe; however, in 2015, people made a study to suggest that this might not have been the case.
If you do spot any signs of a rat infestation, it is so important that you call The British Pest Control Association (BPCA), as it can affect children, pets, your family, your employees, your customers and more. They will be able to give you the professional advice you need and methods to prevent rats from getting into your house or other buildings.
Pathogens and Disease
Rats like to mark their territory wherever they go. To do this, they urinate around the property. This causes a huge concern for public health. Rats carry and spread so many diseases through their urine, which can make humans very ill.
Here is a list of the main diseases that rats can spread:
Leptospirosis (also known as Weil's Disease)
Salmonella
Listeria
Toxoplasma Gondii
Hantavirus
Property Damage
Not only can rats affect your health, but they can also affect your property by causing structural damage. To keep their teeth in shape, rats gnaw through different things, including electrical wires, furniture and more. Gnawing on electrical wires can cause a fire risk, and gnawing through pipes can cause gas and water leaks. Rats will also gnaw through wood, metal, bone, glass and cinderblock, which is how they cause structural damage to properties.
Rats in your Businesses
Under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act of 1949, it is a legal obligation to keep rodents out of any premises. If you have a rat problem, and the rats may cause a risk to people's health, or property, you must report it to the local authorities. Rat infestations could cause your business reputation to go downhill, especially if the information gets out to the public. This could mean your business could get closed down. This is why it is essential to have pest management procedures in place.
Rats in your Home
Having rats and mice in your home can cause potential health problems. They can also cause damage to your property and your clothing, furniture, electrics and more.
The Signs of Rat Infestation
There are many signs that you have a rat infestation, and you must look out for them.
If you do spot any of the following signs, please get in touch with a professional pest controller today:
Rat's Teeth Marks
You are likely to find teeth marks, as rats love to gnaw on everything they see. This includes wires, furniture, clothing and more.
Scratching
When everything is the quietest during the night, rat's will usually start to move around more. Therefore, you will be able to hear scratching noises.
Holes
Rats gain entry to your home through holes in the walls or the ground. It won't always be clear which rodent infestation you have; however, if you spot any grease stains around the small holes, they are most likely mice.
Rat's Footprints
It is normally quite easy to spot, as they are different from many other footprints and like dirtier and dustier places, which will make them even easier to notice.
Rub Marks
You can usually identify the difference between a rat and mice infestation by grease marks, For example, mice will leave greasy rub marks on your surfaces, but rats won't.
Foul Smell
Rodent infestations will always cause bad smells, as they eat, live, breed and sometimes decompose in your home.
Puddles of Urine
If you see small puddles around your home and smell a foul odour coming from them, this is a sign of rat urine, a sign of a rat infestation.
Rat droppings
Rat droppings are shaped like olives, and mice droppings have a pointy end, which is how you can distinguish which rodent infestation you have.
Keeping Rats Out
Food Sources
Rats cannot survive without food and water, so if you are giving them a constant source by leaving food waste in bins or out in the open around your home, then you are giving the rats something to feed themselves and their families with. To avoid this problem, ensure to store all your food in containers.
Shelter
Rats can find shelter both inside and outside of buildings. For example, if you have a shed in your garden, they will find shelter there. You must make sure your home, your garden and around your home stays clean from food waste and rubbish.
Openings
Try to keep your doors closed as much as possible. Another good tip is to use metal sheets to cover the edges of your doors and windows to prevent the rats from gnawing their way through and make sure your drains are fastened tightly, as this is another opening for sewer rats to enter your property.
Getting Rid of Rats
There are two common ways of getting rid of your rat problem that the BPCA has approved. However, before trying these methods, it is important to get in touch with a professional first, as soon as possible.
Traps
It is advised by the BPCA to use wooden traps and place them against your walls to ensure the rats cross them. It would help if you used bait in your traps to lure the rats in, and this method is much less hazardous than using poison, especially for your children or your pet.
Poison
The main rat poisons include Warfarin, Chlorophaconone and Pival. You need to secure all the areas that you expect a rat would want to go, such as dark places. These include drainpipes, boxes and behind boards. When you are sure that all the rats have gone, you need to take away the baits you have left out and dispose of the poison using the information label.
Keeping Rats Under Control
Rat Control, and other rodent control, is essential to keep them away from your home. Controlling rats involves preventing them from wanting to come back. To do this, you need to use the advice on this page. If you see any signs of a rat infestation, please call your local pest control department, as it could affect the rest of your community, as well as yourself.
Are you looking for rat pest control?
Do you have a rat problem in Burton upon Trent or Staffordshire?
If you would like to find out more information about the rat pest control services we offer follow the link below.
Rat Pest Control