If you think you have a rat in your property, it is unlikely to be alone. Rats can spread serious diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonellatha that can effect people and other animals. They can cause significant damage to property from their constant chewing of wires, plumbing, timbers and other materials. Their droppings and urine can contaminate food items and create a serious health hazard. 

Rats reproduce quickly, and so it is important to take action quickly to prevent a minor infestation becoming a more significant problem that is more difficult to eradicate. If you think you have a problem with rats in your property, contact us today.

Common Rat Species

There are two species of rats found in the UK;

1. Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus) – also known as the common rat or brown rat, this is the most widespread species in the UK. They are found in rural and urban areas and can adapt to live in a range of different environments.

2. Black Rat (Rattus rattus) – also knows as a ship rat, this is less common and more associated with ports/coastal cities. They are becoming an increasing problem in continental Europe and likely to be a more significant pest species in the UK in the coming decades.

Both species are considered pests, and can both cause damage, spread disease and contaminate food sources. It is important to take measures to control their numbers to prevent more serious infestation.

How to get rid of rats

Fully clearing a problem with rats can be challenging. Rats have evolved to be very successful commensal rodent, living beside humans in both urban and rural environments.

Getting rid of rats can require a combined approach of various methods, some only available to professional pest controllers. Methods may include;

• Proofing – prevent rodent access to the property.
• Denial of food and water – Include kitchen scraps, bird feeders, areas of standing water, etc.
• Removal of harbourage – Untidy areas with lots of unnecessary debris can provide cover and security for rats.
• Trapping – including live catch and kill traps, being mindful of both the welfare of the rats, current legislation, and the risk to none target species.
• Chemical control – using including the use of anticoagulant rodenticide (rat poison), while following CRRU UK codes of best practice.

Rats are naturally neophobic (fear of new things), and so any methods used have to take this into account in order to maximise success.

Every situation is different, which is where our experienced team can produce a treatment plan that effectively removes any rat problem, and reduces the risk of the problem re-occurring in the future. We will ensure any action taking is, effective, legal, humane and safety to people, pets, and other wildlife.

How to deter rats

Prevention is always better than a cure. Unfortunately there are many products on the market that claim to deter rats, but we have found little evidence that they actually work.

Ultrasonic deterrents claim to deter rats, other mammals, birds and insects. We often find they are not effective and at best provide only a temporary disturbance to the pest activity. Home remedies also, such as peppermint, citrus oil, hot pepper (the list is endless), we see used frequently with little effect.

There are a few practical steps you can take however to help reduce the attractiveness of your property to rats;

• Remove food sources – This can be anything from bird feeders in the garden, kitchen scraps in compost piles, or left out pet food. Keeping all food away from rodents will greatly reduce attractiveness to rats.
• Removal water sources – leaking plumbing, broken drain covers, bird baths are just a few examples. Rats need an external water source, and cannot gain all their moisture from their food like mice can. If rats don’t have a source of water, this greatly reduces their chances of sticking around.
• Removal shelter –  keeping an area clean and tidy without any unnecessary debris can make an area less attractive to rats. Cover helps rats create secure nesting areas, and move around protected from predators.
• Keep your property in a good state of repair – pests can often gain access when buildings fall into disrepair. A broken roof tile, hole in brickwork, a poorly fitted door, all are potential entry points that may one day be exploited by a pest.

Rats in the drains?

One of the most common entry points into a property, rats living in our sewer systems can gain access into our homes and businesses. Faults in the drain lines can allow access out of the drainage system into the surrounding ground and under/into the wall and flooring of buildings.

Rats can then enjoy the shelter of our properties, popping back into the drain for their food and water.

This is why we would often recommend a CCTV drain survey as part of a rat treatments, to identify any possible entry points.

Long standing rat problems which have plagued a property for many years can often be attributed to a fault in the drainage system.

Is rodenticide (poison) safe to use around dogs and cats?

A professional and competent pest controller would always take into account the risk to none target pets and wildlife when designing a treatment plan for rats.

In some cases the use of rodenticide may not be appropriate. However we can often use our experience to present bait in a way that is protected by children, pets and other animals. This might be through the use of secure bait boxes, or positioning the bait in a way that only the rats can access. It may also involve using different products where the concentration, active ingredient and formulation poses a lower risk.

As registered supports for the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use, we adhere to all codes of best practice of the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Scheme.