Rat Control
Fast & Effective Pest Control
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Rat Control Solutions
Rats are one of the most universally dreaded pests, mainly due to their ability to spread disease and cause widespread damage. In the UK, the most common rats you may encounter are the Brown Rat and the Black Rat. Both can carry a range of unpleasant and potentially fatal diseases such as salmonella, toxoplasmosis and Weil’s disease.
Rats can be very persistent even gnawing through metal to get in, and if they do gain access into your home or business premises they can spread diseases, cause damage and contaminate food.
Check for common signs of rats which will help you identify a problem early, ensuring effective treatment can start as soon as possible. Indications of rat activity in premises include signs of droppings and evidence of holes in walls and floors.
If you notice any of the warning signs of a rat problem, such as droppings, rodent damage and rat sightings, then contact VermEx today by phone on 01904 798676, by email at info@vermex.co.uk or by using our contact form to discuss your individual requirements or request a free rodent control quotation.
Consequences of Commercial Rat Infestations
Having rats in your commercial premises can have a serious impact on your business. Rats can damage property with their constant gnawing and can chew through floorboards, doors and even pipes. In addition, rats will shred nearly anything to use for nesting materials, from paper to linen, and can cause damage to insulation.
Rats can also contaminate foodstuffs with pathogens that are found in their urine and droppings. In addition, rats can spread diseases such as salmonella, toxoplasmosis and Weil’s disease. Rats can cause other problems, so it’s vital to eliminate a rat infestation quickly.
A rat problem can also impact your business by causing alarm in both customers and employees, resulting in a loss of customers, especially in the food and hospitality sectors. A large rat infestation could also cause you legal problems, including closure and fines. Even rats in the garden and outside your premises can also present tremendous risk, particularly for industries that require zero tolerance to pests
A rat infestation should be taken very seriously and a professional pest control expert should always be consulted regarding the best course of action to deal with it. Not only will the root of the problem need to be addressed, but the surrounding areas will also need to be treated to avoid re-infestation.
Rat Proofing To Get Rid Of Rats
Discovering rats in your home or business can be very distressing. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can rat-proof your property and deter rats and prevent an infestation. Rats enter your home through small holes or gaps in the walls or plumbing in search of food, water and nesting materials. By proofing your home to deny entry and removing easy access to food and water you can deter rats and other pests from entering your home.
- Keep food in metal or glass containers with a tight-fitting lid to prevent rats from getting to a food source, this also keeps your food free from contamination.
- Keep your home, business and outside area tidy. This reduces the places rats can hide.
- Place your rubbish in metal bins with secure lids to prevent rats from feeding on the contents.
- Don’t leave nesting materials, such as paper, newspapers, clothing or linen lying around.
Rat Species
There are two common species of Rats that are found in the UK, the Brown Rat (or Common Rat) and the Black Rat (also known as the Ship Rat). Neither species are native to the UK and likely arrived as stowaways on ships thousands of years ago.
Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus)
H3: Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus)
Brown rats are the most common rat species found in the UK and usually prefer living and burrowing on the ground, particularly under structures like sheds, garages and walls, but can also climb when needed. Brown rats are very good at gnawing and can enlarge any gaps and holes for easy entry.
The brown rat can grow up to 40cm in length and between 350–500g in weight. Brown rats have blunt noses and small ears and have a thicker body and shorter tail compared to the Black Rat.
Black Rat (Rattus Rattus)
Black rats are rarer in the UK compared to Brown rats and are usually confined to ports. Black rats are good climbers, in addition, they are very adept at swimming in sewers and drain systems and bigger bodies of water.
The black rat is between 16–24cm in length and can grow to between 150–200g in weight. The tail is often longer than the head and body, and they have a pointed nose, large ears and a more slender body than the brown rat.
VermEx is a family run pest control company with over 30 years of experience in providing a professional pest control service to commercial clients across the North of England, including Manchester, York & Leeds. Here at VermEx, we pride ourselves on our ability to quickly and effectively react to our customers’ needs and provide an unparalleled level of service that is individually tailored to their needs.
Rat Control FAQ
There are several reasons why rats come into homes and businesses. The main reason is to seek shelter and nest in anything soft and warm, such as old clothing or insulation. In addition, rats can also enter your property searching for food, which is why ensuring food isn’t left out and cleaning your property can discourage rat infestations.
Like many other rodents, rats are nocturnal by nature and are more active during the night. Rats can squeeze through small holes and are very good at hiding under floorboards, within cavity walls, lofts, void cavities or in tight spaces during the day.
If rats have easy access to a food source and nesting materials then they will continue to use the same nest. Removing these sources of food and nesting materials will help encourage rats to move on to a new nesting site.
Our qualified, licensed and highly trained technicians use a range of different methods to control rat infestations such as rat bait stations or rodenticides, which are safe to use even in areas where there are children and pets. Professional rodenticides are not available over the counter, only certified pest controllers are allowed to administer these under strict guidelines and regulations.
Fast & Effective Pest Control
If your business is suffering from a pest problem and is in need of professional pest control, please get in touch with us. Our British Pest Control Association (BPCA) certified Technicians provide safe, effective solutions to get rid of rats, such as baiting and rodenticides that can be individually tailored to your Business’s requirements to ensure effective rat removal.
We offer a free site survey for all commercial clients to identify nesting sites, entry points or other problem areas so we can provide an effective and bespoke rat control and proofing solution to ensure your business remains rat-free. In addition, we offer a free quote for any work that we would recommend, giving you complete control and understanding.
Get in touch with VermEx on 01904 798676, by emailing info@vermex.co.uk
or by using our contact form for all of your pest control requirements and call in the professionals for fast and effective pest control.