Rats are the ultimate survivor species. Rats are a natural scavenger, intelligent, and can fit through small spaces in ways you would not believe possible. They are prolific breeders. They can produce up to six litters per year, with 5-10 rats per litter. Because a rat can reproduce at a mere 10-weeks of age, there is huge potential for an exponential increase in the rat population.
Rats live in the most comfortable conditions thanks to humans. Natural events such as in-fighting, scarcity of food, shelter, disease, and predators can all help to control the rat population. The rat population is growing so humans must intervene.
How can you help protect your home?
Rats are attracted to buildings in winter for warmth and food. The two most important things that you can do to protect yourself home are to prevent rats from getting in. You should also check for rat nests around your home, such as under sheds or in outbuildings.
Recognizing signs you may have rats is crucial. The sooner you recognize that you have a problem with rats, the quicker you can solve it. Because once rats get into your home, even a few, they will breed and hide, so you’ll soon have a serious infestation.
What are the signs you might have a problem?
Droppings Rats can produce up to 40 drops each night. They are about the same size as an olive and have a shiny, dark color. They can be found in large groups.
Urine puddles Rat urine is a strong smelling substance that you cannot miss.
Foul smell Rats can be detected in your walls and under your floorboards because they live, reproduce, defecate, and die.
Scratching Rats can climb walls and you will hear them scratching behind walls at night, when they are most active.
Tracks and tail marks in dusty places where rats used to run around.
Gnaw marks Rats have incisors which never stop growing, so they gnaw continuously to keep their teeth clean. Gnaw marks can be seen on any hard surface such as concrete, steel, concrete, wood, walls, pipes and furniture.
Nesting Materials Rats can use any shredded material such as paper, cardboard and fabric to create their nests. As untidy creatures, you’ll find pieces of the materials around holes.
Ground Rats often dig holes in the ground. These holes are usually found under dense vegetation or below buildings. These tunnels can be as short as 3 feet long and up to 18 inches in depth.
Rat runs Rats usually follow the same route, creating a visible pathway or running through grass.
It is important to note that contact with rat droppings can be very dangerous as you could get infected by one of their severe, sometimes fatal, diseases, Hantavirus or Leptospirosis. Rat droppings can also cause potentially fatal diseases in dogs, such as Leptospirosis and Toxoplasmosis.
Remember, you can never have more than one rat in your home.
Get in touch with pest control in London experts today to receive advice and a quote on how to rid rats of your home.
