Pest Control UK

Rat Issues Arise As Winter Nears

Rats not only carry diseases, they can also cause extensive damage to your property that can result in repair bills that run into thousands of pounds. A case in point occurred when a family of six rats had gotten into the loft space of a particular house, torn loose insulation to build a nest, and urinated and defecated all over. The damage caused by these rodents left the owner of the house with a £3,000 bill.

This year has been a bad year for dealing with rats, and it's going to get worse as rodents look for shelter as the weather gets bad. Twice as many traps have been used and twice as much bait has been purchased in comparison to previous years.

Many people don't understand the extent of local rat populations, and as more land is used to develop housing, the problem is exacerbated. There has been a lot of land clearing and so wildlife is being pushed from their normal habitat.

Calls regarding rat infestations has risen across the UK, with some areas experiencing significant increases.

Rats are getting smarter

The Norway rat came to the area around the turn of the century on wooden ships. For 20 years we wouldn't find them out of the downtown core, but more recently, the roof rat from Asia came to the area. They are athletic and more difficult to catch. This year there has been a dramatic increase in the number of calls about roof rats in attics.

Rodents used to be here and there – now they are so commonplace. Rats are attracted to the smell of food. That's why they love to hang around restaurants and food outlets. When it's dark they explore for food. In winter, the food sources diminish, which is why they are more common in urban areas. The closer you get to a large town, the more rats there are going to be.

What can you do?

There are a number of things that you can do to deter rodents from taking up residence in your property.

• Don't leave out cat or dog food. Compost bins also can attract rats, as they love edibles such as apples.
• Plug holes in the exteriors of houses. A mouse can fit through a hole the size of a 2 pence piece and a rat can fit through a hole the size of a 50 pence piece. Also, check for openings in loft spaces, vents and garage doors.
• Keep a lid on rubbish bins.
• If you have rats, use a trap with bait. Don't use poison because they can die in the walls, and it can get pretty stinky.

SDA Pest Control, "Long Acre", Bluntisham Road, Needingworth, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire
01480 465684