Do you wake up in the middle of the night hearing strange noises such as scratching? Is there a strange smell in your house that you can’t eliminate? Have you spotted any holes in your floorboards or walls that weren’t there before? The good news is, you haven’t got a poltergeist. The bad news is that you’ve probably got a pest infestation. To find out more about which pest has invaded your space and how to recognise the signs, read the fact file below.
RATS – The facts
What do rats look like?
Rats have brownish-grey fur and a long, furless tail. Their bodies extend to 6-8 inches; however, they are able to compress their bodies to enter a 1.5-inch space. Rats have extremely sharp teeth that continue to grow throughout their lives. They file down their teeth by constant gnawing.
How fast do rats multiply?
A female rat will live for a year, during which she will produce 5 litters of 6 to 8 young.
Where do rats live?
Rats live underground in sewers and drains, in attic spaces, around pipes, near rubbish stores and between walls.
What are the signs of a rat infestation?
- Droppings, which are spindle-shaped and the size of an olive pip.
- Holes and teeth marks on packaging, piping, skirting boards, wooden floorboards.
- Spotting a rat. If you see one rat, chances are it’s got a family tucked away nearby.
- Smear marks along walls, these are caused by the grease in rat fur.
- Scratching and scampering sounds in the night. Rats conduct their business after dark.
Does a rat infestation need controlling?
Yes. Rats pose a serious threat and it is vital that an infestation be addressed immediately. Here are the reasons why:
- Rats carry life-threatening diseases including, Murine Typhus, Salmonella, Leptospirosis, and Hantavirus to name but a few!
- A trapped rat will bite. This is uncommon, but it can happen. It is likely that a rat bite will transmit a disease.
- Rats can gnaw through metal and damage gas and water pipes causing leakage that is both dangerous and expensive to fix. They also chew through electricity cables causing fire hazards.
- Rats can burrow under buildings and walls undermining their foundations.
- Rats are intelligent problem solvers. They will quickly find another entry point when one is blocked and easily identify and avoid commercially bought poison.
- Merlin specialise in commercial pest control. Get in touch today for help.
