How do I recognise a rat.
The Brown or Common Rat occurs both indoors and outdoors in
urban and rural locations. It is a dullish browny grey with a
lighter colouring to the belly. It measures between 12" and 17"from
nose to tail, has small ears, blunt muzzle and sharp teeth.
Are Rats hazardous to humans.
Yes, they are a serious risk to public health. Apart from the
physical contamination of surfaces and food with their droppings
and urine they spread diseases such as salmonellosis (food
poisoning),and leptospirosis (Weils disease).It is because of this
that an infestation of rats should not be tolerated.
When are Rats active
Rats are active all year round. However they look for warmer
environments with an easy food source when the temperature drops.
They do seem to be more active at night but will often be seen
during daylight especially when food becomes scarce.
Where do rats live
Rats build nests in any safe dry location usually near food and
a water supply. Outdoor nests are usually burrows in the ground or
in compost heaps. Indoors they nest in cavity walls, roof spaces or
where rubbish is stored.
How will I know if I have a problem with Rats
Apart from sightings the most usual signs are droppings,
evidence of scratching, gnawing, tracks, burrows etc
What steps can I take to minimise the risk on an
infestation
The following measures will help avoid an infestation of rats at
your premises.:
Do not leave any waste food outside overnight
Keep all household rubbish in bins with close fitting lids.
Do not allow your garden to get overgrown or allow rubbish to
pile up which could provide harbourage.
Repair all broken or damaged drains.
If you feed birds do not overfeed and clear up uneaten food each
night.