Although Rats are often kept as childhood pets, those purchased in a pet store are of considerably different breeding to wild Rats. Wild Rats carry diseases and infections that can be passed to humans, the most famous of which was the 'Black Death' introduced to Britain around 1348 spread by fleas predominately from Black Rats.
Rats can create health risks to you, your family, staff and customers as they carry many diseases that can spread to humans. Diseases such as salmonella, leptospirosis and listeria are usually transferred from rats or their urine coming into contact with food preparation areas.
Rats can also damage homes and businesses as they use their sharp teeth that have the capability of chewing through concrete, brick and even ½-inch thick sheet metal. This can cause damage to properties, including structural damage, floods from gnawed pipes and electrical fires from chewed wires.
Business owners also have a legal obligation under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 to keep their premises free from rodents, or, if rodents pose a threat to health or property, to report infestations to the local authority. A rat problem can significantly impact a company's reputation, is not good for business and professional rat pest control will be required.
Rats can enter properties through just a 15mm gap. Check for low level gaps in particular such as under sheds and around pipes, as well higher level areas such as vents or windows and make sure these are sealed properly.
Keeping outdoor areas tidy can keep rats at a greater distance from your home or property and may help prevent the need for rat pest control. Remove piles of wood or rubbish and cut back overgrown areas in order to remove potential rat nesting sites. Keep drain covers in good condition and seal off any unused pies. Compost heaps can also be attractive as nesting sites, particluarly if food is left there, so keep it sealed and covered to prevent rats from digging into it.
Cover any household waste where rats can access, keep bin lids closed and washed to remove any food residue. Don't leave out too much food if you feed birds in your garden, use a bird table or feeder basket if possible to catch any dropped seeds.
Rats are highly adaptable, mobile and breed quickly which can mean that taking on rat pest control yourself can be a real struggle for anyone untrained. Rat pest control is ideally carried out by a professional like AJ Pest Control since we are fully trained to identify the type of pests, use appropriate professional tools and techniques that may not be available to the public as well as prevent future issues and infestations.
Fully qualified by the NPTA (the National Pest Technicians Association), the industry's leading authority on pest control training and techniques, our technicians are trained, qualified and hold all the correct insurances to carry out any rat pest control in your home or business. Our solutions are ecologically sound, with careful consideration paid to public acceptance, customer needs and the humane treatment of animals during any rat pest control assignment.
