The population of rats in Smethwick, and the West Midlands as a whole, has reached record numbers over the past few years. They’ve also grown considerably in size and can create alarming situations causing extensive damage to structure and property. They have a tendency of invading into different structures and gnaw anything. So, if you spot even a single rat around your property, contact the Pest Control Smethwick team at Advantage Pest Control. Our rodent pest control program is thorough and is designed to exterminate the infestation the first time around.

HOW DANGEROUS ARE RATS?

In the UK, varied species of rats have been identified. Apart from damaging property, they carry dangerous diseases like salmonella, tuberculosis, leptospirosis, and tapeworms. The rats also introduce other pests like mites, fleas, and ticks within the premises. They can squeeze into small crevices to make their way into your home.

Rats are one of the most common pests, which are famous for not only spreading serious diseases but also causing damage to the property and household items. Unfortunately, rats are very difficult to get rid of, additionally they also have a tendency to multiply at a very fast pace.

• Rats contaminate food
• They can damage household items
• Rats can damage the structure of the property by digging burrows
• They can cause a health and safety hazard by chewing electrical wiring and electrical appliances
• They can act as a breeding ground for other pests such as fleas, ticks and lice
• Rats often damage insulation
• Rats are also a carrier of several deadly diseases
• Rats can bite which can lead to dangerous conditions, such as leptospirosis and Hantavirus

RAT INFESTATION SIGNS

A presence of 2 or more rats can very quickly lead to a state of rat infestation. In order to avoid this situation, it is very important to act fast. However, it may be quite difficult to spot 1- 2 rats as they are quite smart in hiding themselves and also they are nocturnal in nature. Keep notice of the following points, these are sure shot signs of presence of a rat.
Look for Rat droppings. Rat excreta can be easily noticeable as they are somewhat a size of a large rice grain, dark brown or black in colour.

Rats have sharp teeth and they often grind with their teeth. If you hear a grinding or a scraping noise, especially during the night, then it is most likely to be a rat.

Rats like most pests like to live in colonies, if you are suspecting an infestation, then the best way to double check is to look for their tracks. By sprinkling chalk dust, you may be able to figure out their tail swipe marks and footprints.

Check for dirty skirting and walls. Rats like to run along the edges of the wall which can lead to leaving dirty “smear” marks on the wall due to the dirt and grease off their fur.

If you notice, damage to furniture, bitten plastic or electrical wires, then this could be a sign of rat infestation. Since the teeth of rats grow all their life, they have the need to chew on objects to keep their teeth shaped and sharp.

If you notice a foul smell, then you are possibly close to the rat’s nests. These are often in dark and warm areas where food and water is freely available, such as a kitchen.

Brown rats (Rattus Norvegicus) often like to live in burrows, they have very sharp claws which can help dig in backyard, decking and garden areas.

WHAT DOES OUR RAT CONTROL PROGRAM INCLUDE?

Inspection: Our pest control team will inspect your house thoroughly to find the possible entry points and harbourage sites. The detailed survey helps us to determine the level of infestation and what measures should be taken.

Bait Stations: A full risk assessment is carried out before rodenticides or traps are positioned to rodent-affected areas. These bait stations/traps are placed at hard-to-reach places, ensuring that your children or pets won’t be able to access them and the number of bait stations and traps are recorded along with the amounts of rodenticide used.

Prevention: Our major objective is to make your building impervious to rodents. Any areas, gaps or holes that require repair or proofing will be reported.