Got a rat problem? Here’s what to do next
Rats and mice are some of the worst pests to face in your home or business, so if you think you have a problem, there are some simple steps to eliminate the issue.
Even if you think your rodent infestation is based around the outside of a property, it’s important to get on top of the problem before it gets out of control, as they can soon move on to getting inside your home and causing structural damage.
Here’s everything you need to know about this type of pest control.
Signs you have a rat or mice problem in your home or business
If you suspect you have a rat problem in your commercial or domestic property, perhaps you’ve noticed some of the signs you have rodents nearby. A visual encounter with a rat is the most obvious red flag, but they often come out at night, so there are other things you can look out for to identify the issue early.
These include dark brown droppings (the size of a grain of rice), gnaw marks (e.g. on cables, wood and pipes), shreds of materials for nests, scratching sounds in walls and tunnels in the ground. You may have noticed a foul smell somewhere you can’t get to, such as under the floorboards, which can indicate a trapped, decomposing rodent or urine present (if it’s an ammonia-like scent). Dead rodents can also cause other pest issues, such as lots of flies in the home.
Rats can breed quickly and carry disease, so mustn’t ignore these signs once you’ve spotted them.
Contact a rat control expert
While you may be tempted to get rid of a rat problem yourself, this often wastes time and doesn’t treat the root cause of the problem. It’s a much smarter idea to get professional assistance as soon as possible. A rat control expert will follow a strict procedure to systematically rid your property of rodents.
After getting in touch, the first step is usually a detailed survey and risk assessment. This includes identifying where the problem lies, such as entry points, the causes of rats in your property and which removal treatments will be the most suitable for your situation.
Best rat removal treatments
Your pest controller will talk through some of the best options for removing rats from your business or home. This may include a multi-treatment approach, such as setting traps and laying rat poison.
It’s also important to futureproof your property from this type of issue recurring, so any entry points will need to be sealed and the cause of the problem addressed, such as how food waste is handled and composts are managed.
Speak to a pest controller
At Effective Pest Solutions, we’re experienced pest controllers, so if you’re experiencing issues with rats or mice, please get in touch. We work throughout London, Surrey and the South East, coming out to locations such as Banstead and Clapham.
We recommend Rat Blockers to protect your drains and prevent rats from entering buildings. To find out more, just call our friendly pest infestation experts today on 07951 228 778 or email info@effectivepestsolutions.co.uk.
