RAT CONTROL SERVICES
At The Pest Master, we provide extensive pest control services specifically for rats in Birmingham. Rats are tiny mammals and among the 2000 types of rodents that exist out of the 5000 mammal species. They have two pairs of incisor teeth which have a chisel-like shape and are present on both top and bottom jaws. These rodents typically live up to 18 months. Rats have a gestational period of only 3 weeks, and typically give birth to litters of 7-8 babies. They can have between 3-6 litters in a year. Rats eat about 30g of food per day, which is around one-tenth of their body weight. Rats typically have about 10 meals a day, with each meal being around 3g. Their daily water intake ranges from 30-60ml, depending on the moisture content of their food. As they move around, rats can produce up to 40 droppings in a day. Signs of a rat infestation include burrows and runs, droppings, property damage from gnawing, smear marks, and urine odour.
WHAT DAMAGE CAN RATS DO?
Rats can cause a lot of damage to your property, furniture, plumbing, electrical wiring and more. They can also create problems for people’s health by spreading diseases through their urine and droppings. Rats are known to gnaw on almost anything and will chew through wood, plastic, wallpaper etc., in order to gain entry into buildings or create nests.
Their teeth never stop growing as they don’t have any roots, so they have to constantly gnaw on things to keep them filed down. They have a preference for gnawing on sturdy objects like wood, but they will also chew on electrical cables and water pipes. They are skilled at chewing through materials such as fascia boards, kitchen units, plaster, and uncured concrete.
Leptospirosis, also known as Weil’s disease, can be transmitted through rat urine. Rats excrete urine as they move around, which can lead to contact with surfaces in your environment and put you at risk of contracting the disease. When there are many droppings present due to a heavy infestation, it can be dangerous to human health. Inhaling the dust from rat droppings can cause respiratory problems and even lead to pneumonia. In the worst cases, it could even result in the contraction of Hantavirus.
HOW DO I GET RID OF RATS?
It’s important to comply with the law when dealing with rat infestations. There are specific laws regarding safe and humane ways to eliminate rodents. Considering the use of rodenticides by the general public, it’s important to take into account the potential risks not only to themselves and those in their vicinity but also to non-target species. Secondary poisoning can occur when rodenticides are not placed properly and are consumed by other animals, which can often result in fatal consequences. Not using rodenticide properly as a non-professional can have serious consequences.
To prevent serious consequences, it’s important to use this product correctly. If used improperly, you could be fined up to £5000 and sentenced to up to five years in prison. As a professional company, we prioritize following the principles outlined in the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU). Additionally, the use of glue boards and specific traps are highly regulated by both the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and The Pest Act 1954.
If you are considering using rodenticides or traps inside a building for self-treatment, make sure to be cautious about the presence of bats and their roosts. Remember that bats are highly protected by UK law. If you are caught using traps or rodenticides near bats, or even disturbing them, you may face prosecution that could result in imprisonment.
HOW WE EFFECTIVELY REMOVE RATS
To effectively control rodents, it is necessary to use a combination of measures such as surveys, proofing, habitat manipulation, sanitation, and control techniques. For more information on rodent control, please visit our rodent page or contact us to discuss treatment options.
