Pest advice for controlling Rats
There are two species of rat in Britain, Rattus Norvegicus which is commonly known as the Brown Rat or Common Rat. The Rattus Rattus, referred to as the Black Rat or Ship Rat is now rarely found in the UK.
Why control Rats?
Rats carry many nasty diseases which they can spread to humans, normally through their urine, including; Leptospirosis or Weil's disease, Salmonella, Listeria, Toxoplasma gondii and Hantavirus.
Rats can inflict an enormous amount of structural damage. They can cause severe fires by gnawing away the insulation around electrical cables, floods by puncturing pipes and even death by chewing through gas pipes. The insurance sector has estimated that rodent damage to wiring is responsible for 25% of all electrical fires in buildings.
Rats can ruin an organisation's reputation. If clients and customers spot evidence of rodent infestation in the premises you manage, they are unlikely to want to do business with you.
Property owners have a legal obligation under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 to keep premises rodent free, or, if rodents pose a threat to health or property, to report infestations to the local authority.
Sign of Rats – Things to watch out for
The presence of rats in or around your home can be determined by a number of signs:
Rats live in close association with people. In urban or suburban areas they live in and around residences, in cellars, warehouses, stores and in sewers. On farms they may inhabit barns, granaries, livestock buildings, silos, and kennels. They may burrow to make nests under buildings and other structures, beneath concrete slabs, along stream banks, around ponds, in garbage dumps, and at other locations where suitable food, water, and shelter are present. Although they can climb, rats tend to inhabit the lower floors of buildings.
Food Habits & how to prevent rats invading your personal space
Rats will eat nearly any type of food. When given a choice, they select a nutritionally balanced diet, choosing fresh, wholesome items over stale or contaminated foods. They prefer cereal grains, meats and fish, nuts, and some types of fruit. Food items in household garbage offer a fairly balanced diet and also satisfy their moisture needs.
Eliminate any harbourage points such as sealing gaps around pipes and under sheds; rats only need a gap of 15mm to gain entry.
Remove potential nesting sites by keeping yards and gardens clean and tidy, by cutting back overgrown areas and clearing any piles of wood/debris.
Ensure that drain inspection covers are in a good state of repair.
Cover any household waste where rats can get access to it, close dustbin lids and cover compost heaps.
If you feed garden birds, do not do this to excess and use a bird table or feeder basket if possible.
Check; Does your house insurance cover rat infestation or rodent damage?
Let PGM & Son protect your Herefordshire home or business from Rodents
If you think your home or business is being affected by a rat infestation, then we can help.
The process typically consists of four stages:
We inspect your facility and identify the rodent problem
We diagnose the factors that are causing and contributing to the rodent problem
We consult with you to determine the most effective approach to a rodent-free environment
We treat the existing rodent problem and prevent future infestations using the right combination of rodent control methods for your business or home
PGM & Son Pest Control residential and commercial rat control program typically includes these key components:
Sanitation – Eliminating potential rodent food and shelter sources to limit infestations
Exclusion – Covering vents, securing gaps around loose pipes, treating wall voids, adding metal kick plates to doors
Prevention or Elimination – Placing rodent devices, such as catch traps or bait stations
Preventing rats from entering your premises is crucial for a healthy working and living environment. Because rats can be prolific disease carriers, control is essential to your Herefordshire business operations, as well as the health of your loved ones, customers and your employees.
Contact PGM & Son today for more help and advice on rat & rodent control in Hereford.
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