Amersham Rat Catchers (HP6): Though it's not so commonplace these days, discovering rats in your garden or home in Amersham is not really a pleasing experience. A single sighting of a rat shouldn't be that much of an issue, nevertheless, if you observe rats more often or notice more than one rat you might be in trouble since they tend to breed so quickly.
If you happen to discover rats in Amersham, the chances are that they're going to be brown rats (Rattus Norvegicus), although there are actually 2 types of rat currently living in the British Isles; black (or ship) rats and brown (common) rats. As you might know ship rats were the cause of the Great Plague (17th C) and at that time they were really common. Black rats are relatively scarce nowadays and in fact neither breed is native to Great Britain, both coming from Asia.
Brown rats are normally bigger than black rats weighing in at half a kilo and reaching a length of almost 9 inches. A great deal of the destruction attributable to brown rats is down to the fact that to keep their incisor teeth from getting too long, they have to constantly gnaw on stuff. Their gnawing is oftentimes targeting items made from timber.
Rats can cause various issues in businesses and homes throughout Amersham and they spread diseases, gnaw their way through pipes, woodwork, insulation and wires, leave droppings, and generally cause a nuisance. The local authorities should really be advised whenever rats are seen. Or otherwise go HERE to report pest and rat sightings on the .gov web page.
It is not only by sight that you will be alerted to the presence of rats, their habits are sometimes quite enough to give warning. Perhaps you may find a rat's nest in some tucked away location, you could find droppings on floors or in cupboards, you might hear noises coming from a loft, wall or floor or you could encounter distinctive rat holes chewed into skirting boards or floorboards.
If you are going to have this problem remedied effectively you'll want to get an expert. You can contact your local environmental health department or get hold of an expert Amersham pest controller or rat catcher yourself. Way back in the past, rat catchers used to be exactly that, but at present they are commonly referred to as pest control experts and will not only be able to help you manage getting rid of rats but also removing cockroaches, wasps, mice, moles, ants and more.
Rat Prevention
Dissuading mice and rats before they even show up is actually the easiest way to avoid such problems. Therefore, deterring mice and rats will be something to look at even if you don't have problems with rats presently. Domestic waste laying around your garden is among the main causes of rat and mouse infestations. You'll simply encourage them if you provide them with both the materials and place to build nests. In addition, you should refrain from giving them easily accessible foodstuffs by leaving waste food around and putting bird feeders out with grain that will simply attract rats and mice.
Species of Rat
You'll only ever encounter 2 sorts of rat in Amersham, Buckinghamshire or anyplace in Britain. The Black Rat (Rattus Rattus) and the Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus).
The Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus)
The commonest rat seen in Great Britain, and also Europe and North America, is the brown rat (common rat, Norwegian Rat (Rattus Norvegicus), sewer rat or street rat). The brown rat (it can often be grey in colour) is typically 4-9" long (not including the tail) and weighs 140 - 500 grammes. It is almost always found wherever human beings are living. It was given the name Rattus Norvegicus (Norway Rat) since it was deemed to have spread to the UK by ships from Norway. It's now considered to have originated in China or Central Asia. Brown rats have bad eyesight but good hearing, they dig extensive burrows and climb well, they're omnivores but prefer grain cereals, the females often produce 5 litters of as many as 14 every year.
The Black Rat (Ship Rat)
Originating from India and Southeast Asia the black rat, roof rat or ship rat is also not a native of Britain or Europe. Most likely traveling in shipments of spices in the times of the Romans, the black rat eventually spread through Europe. The black rat was once widespread in the UK but was largely ousted by the larger brown rat and is now not often found. This rat attains lengths of 5" to 7" a weight of 75-230 grammes. Black rats have a reputation for spreading many different diseases, in particular toxoplasmosis, rat bite fever, salmonella, tularemia, trichinosis, Weil's disease, listeria, bubonic plague and typhus.
Rats - How to Spot Them
When you've got a notion that you could have rats in your business or property, there are several ways by which you'll be able to tell. You could listen out for constant scratching noises emanating from rooves and walls, particularly at nighttime, pay attention to gnaw marks in wood, wires and cables, especially in attics, watch out for rub marks where their greasy fur leaves marks on skirtings and walls, keep an eye out for faeces (droppings), they are darkish brown and look similar to large grains of rice, search for footprints or tail trails on loose soil or in dusty areas, look out for burrows or holes next to solid surfaces.Burrowing
Something that all rats like to do is dig burrows, and their favoured area to do it is next to and beneath solid objects or structures such as garden sheds, patios, paths and garage foundations. They dig out substantial systems of burrows which are useful for shelter, food storage and a nesting place. A sure indication of a rat burrow is a smooth sided hole adjacent to a solid surface, where the ins and outs of hairy critters have rubbed and polished the entrance. The burrow entrances are generally around 2-4 inches across. A smart way to discover if rats still live in the burrow is to toss a bit of debris into the entrance and see whether it's been cleared the following day.Reporting Rat Sightings
This is a bit more detail on a topic we discussed earlier in this article. If you discover rats in a neighbours garden, in a public place or in your own garden it's a great idea to report it to the local authorities. In the case of rats this could at times be a cost-free service, although you'll normally be charged for other infestations like cockroaches, wasps and bed bugs. Rat sightings may also be reported by visiting the .gov webpage HERE. Click HERE to book your own rat catcher and get the problem sorted straight away.
Problems With Mice
Possibly thought by many people as not being so unsettling as rats, seeing mice inside your property can cause just as many problems. Similar to rats, mice contaminate food, breed quickly, gnaw at things, leave droppings and are basically a pain. The resolution to mouse infestations in Amersham are very similar to the ones used for rats ie trapping and poisoning. Amersham rat catchers will also be happy to assist you with mice infestations, so contact one or go to BARK to get the problem resolved.
Of course rat infestations are not only a problem in Amersham, they may occur in Ley Hill, Little Chalfont, Hyde End, Hyde Heath, Chalfont St Giles, Little Missenden, Flaunden, Coleshill, Latimer, Bovingdon, Waterside, Chesham Bois, Chipperfield and other places in and around Buckinghamshire.
Property owners with a rat problem in Amersham are sometimes tempted to have a bash at resolving it for themselves. So, if you find yourself in this situation, what ought you to do? By looking around supermarkets, shops and hardware stores in the Amersham area, it is not too difficult to obtain rat traps, rat poisons and similar products. Bringing in a specialist Amersham rat exterminator would however be a better option, unless of course you know precisely what you are doing, as the correct approach is not always the most obvious one. Usually the rookie's use of rat toxins isn't really that successful, and can even do more harm than good - do you really want to take the chance of harming your children and pets? You'd be much better off enlisting the help of a professional when you need rat control in Amersham.
Amersham rat catchers can normally help you with rat baits, pest control, wasp nest removal in Amersham, cockroach control, rat proofing, rat extermination Amersham, bird proofing in Amersham, commercial pest control, rat deterrents, rat catching, rodent control, ultrasonic pest control in Amersham, bird pest control, electronic pest control Amersham, restaurant pest control Amersham, rat poison, household pest control and other pest control in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
Pest Control Nearby
Also find: Little Missenden rat catchers, Latimer rat catchers, Flaunden rat catchers, Mop End rat catchers, Coleshill rat catchers, Woodrow rat catchers, Chipperfield rat catchers, Waterside rat catchers, Ley Hill rat catchers and more. These and other locations are covered by rat catchers and similar experts. Ensuring efficient and effective rat issue resolution, these versatile professional pest controllers bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge. These pest control professionals are equipped with both the skills and equipment needed to effectively and promptly tackle any issue, from a solitary rat to a full-blown infestation. Local homeowners can get pest control estimates by simply clicking here.
Rat catchers in HP6 area.
