Bideford Rat Catchers (EX39): Though it is not such a common occurrence nowadays in Bideford, householders still have issues with rats once in a while. Seeing rats in your garden or inside your home isn't a good experience, and will be enough to give some householders nightmares. Lone rats are unlikely to cause much of a problem, although rats reproduce quickly and may cause issues as they grow in numbers.
If you see rats in Bideford, the probabilities are that they're going to be brown rats (Rattus Norvegicus), even though there are in fact two sorts of rats at present found in the United Kingdom; brown (or common rats) and black (or ship rats). As you may know ship rats were blamed for the Great Plague of the 17th Century during which period they were really common. Black rats are relatively scarce now and in fact neither variety is native to Great Britain, both arriving from Asia.
The black rat (Rattus Rattus) at 5" to 7" long, is a bit smaller than the brown rat, which grows to a length of up to about 9" and weighs close to 500g. Brown rats may cause destruction because they need to constantly chew on things to stop their teeth from growing too much. They especially like to gnaw on wood.
An infestation of rats will lead to a number of issues for home owners and businesses in and around Bideford, they will leave droppings, gnaw through pipes, wires, woodwork and insulation, transmit disease, and build nests. Householders ought to report sightings of rats to their local authority. Or alternatively go HERE to report incidences of rats and pests on the .gov website online.
You won't need to actually see rats to confirm that they're there, because there are a number of revealing signs that could warn you of their activity. It could be that you may spot distinctive rat holes gnawed into floorboards or skirtings, you could uncover a rat's nest in some hidden location, you might notice droppings in cupboards or on floor surfaces or you might hear noises coming from a loft, floor or wall.
Unless you wish to wait around for the local environmental health authority to take care of this problem you could always call in local Bideford pest controller or rat catcher who'll be experienced in the world of pest removal. In the past, rat catchers used to be exactly that, however presently they are termed pest controllers and won't solely be happy to help you tackle getting rid of rats but also cockroaches, moles, mice, wasps, ants and more.
Rat Traps Bideford
Whether you're likely to deal with the rat situation by yourself or whether you're calling in the professionals, one way to do this is by using rat traps. Rat traps can be intended to kill rats or to compassionately imprison a rat for release later. If you are against hurting animals, probably the capture style traps will be the optimum solution. If you check around you'll find plenty of varying patterns such as: electronic rat traps, enclosed poison traps, cage traps and spring loaded bait traps.
Mole Problems
Bideford rat catchers are sometimes contacted to handle another similar type of pest, ie moles. Moles cause issues in another way to to rats and are not disliked anywhere near so much. The main issue with moles is that they will cause damage to your garden, particularly to a lawn. Evidence of their destructive activity can plainly be seen in the form of randomly scattered piles of earth on neatly mowed lawns. Moles may be captured in traps and re-released someplace else, if you favour a more humane resolution.Kinds of Rat
There are actually two sorts of rat which you're likely to come across in Bideford, Devon or in fact any place else in Great Britain. The Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) and the Black Rat (Rattus Rattus).
The Brown Rat
The most common species of rat present in Great Britain, and also in Europe, is the brown rat (sewer rat, common rat, street rat or Norwegian Rat (Rattus Norvegicus)). The brown rat (it can often be grey in colour) is typically 4 to 9 inches long (not including the tail) and weighs in at 140 to 500 grams. It almost always lives wherever people are living. Though once thought to have originated from Norway (hence its name), it's now known to have come from China. Brown rats dig burrows and climb effectively, they have poor eyesight but an acute sense of hearing, the females can produce up to 5 litters per year, they will eat just about any foodstuffs (they are omnivores) but prefer cereal grains.
The Black Rat
Originating in Southeast Asia (India) the black rat, (Rattus Rattus), roof rat or ship rat is also not a native of Great Britain or Europe. Almost certainly traveling in spice shipments in the times of the Romans, the black rat then spread throughout Continental Europe. The black rat was at one time common in the UK however was typically replaced by the larger brown rat and is now not often seen. This rat attains lengths of five to seven inches and weighs about 75g to 230g. Black rats are notorious for spreading a number of diseases, especially listeria, tularemia, salmonella, typhus, rat bite fever, trichinosis, bubonic plague, Weil's disease and toxoplasmosis.
Signs of Rat Infestations
When you've got an idea you may have rats in your home or business, there are a number of means by which you could tell. You can hunt for signs of footprints or tail trails in dusty areas or on loose soil, listen closely for continual scratching noises coming from walls and roofs, especially during the night, pay attention to gnawing in wood, cables and wires, particularly in lofts, keep your eyes open for droppings, they look like large grains of rice and are dark brown in colour, be on the lookout for burrows or tunnels next to solid surfaces, watch for rub marks where their greasy fur leaves marks on skirtings and walls.Rat Burrows
One thing that all rats love to do is burrow, and the area where they most like to do it is close to solid structures and objects such as paths, garages, garden shed bases and patios. These are not just straightforward holes, but rather extensive networks of burrows, created to use as nesting places, food storage and shelter. Look out for holes with smooth edges, which may have been rubbed by the steady motion of these busy little pests. Should you discover holes but aren't certain that they are made by rats, they'll usually be around 2-4 inches across. You can find out if rats are present by partially filling up the burrow entrance to find out if they come back and clear it.What Attracts Rats?
Although some folks in Bideford might consider them to be rather cute with their twitching whiskers, pointy faces and furry bodies, rats and mice are definitely not animals that you want living in your home or garden, and can even be dangerous. By gnawing through plastic, insulation materials, wood and electrical cables, mice and rats can cause accidents and in particular electrical fires. Spreading conditions like listeria, tularemia, salmonella, typhus, rat bite fever, trichinosis, bubonic plague, Weil's disease and toxoplasmosis, mice and rats can cause more than 30 different types of disease. Among the things around your garden and home that will be attractive to mice and rats are:
- TRASH - An accumulation of garbage and garden waste heaped up on your property (particularly in the garden) will certainly attract mice and rats.
- PET WASTE/COMPOST - Remarkably pet waste and even compost heaps can attract mice and rats - there are some tasty titbits hidden in there!
- FOOD - Food that's left discarded or lying around is perhaps the main attraction for rats and mice.
- CLUTTER - General jumble and clutter in a shed, cellar or loft will be especially attractive to rats and mice, especially if there's a source of food nearby.
- WATER - Rats and mice have to drink, therefore sources of water like leaky pipes, seeping sprinkler systems, birdbaths and pet water bowls are a big attraction for these pests.
- HOLES AND ENTRY POINTS - Rats and mice can crawl through the smallest of holes and cracks, so be on the lookout for gaps around crawl spaces, vents, plumbing and doors.
Having a problem with rats in Bideford is a situation that everybody fears, and when this happens to you, you might be tempted to try to solve it yourself. Rat traps, rat poisons and similar products are available in hardware stores, shops and supermarkets in and around Bideford, so the things you need can easily be obtained. An experienced rat exterminator in Bideford is however the best person for the job, as eliminating rats isn't always as simple as you might believe. The amateur use of rat poisons will likely cause more problems than it solves, since you need to be incredibly cautious with them especially if pets and children are about. If you have any doubts, bring in the professionals for rat control in Bideford.
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Pest Control Nearby
Also find: Fairy Cross rat catchers, Abbotsham rat catchers, East-the-Water rat catchers, Instow rat catchers, Westleigh rat catchers, Landcross rat catchers, Weare Gifford rat catchers, Handy Cross rat catchers, Littleham rat catchers, Tapeley rat catchers, Monkleigh rat catchers, Westward Ho! rat catchers and more. It is possible to get pest control services in practically all of these locations. These professional pest controllers, with their years of expertise and know-how, ensure efficient and effective resolution of your rodent issue. In cases of a large infestation or a single rat, these experts in pest control have the requisite skills and resources to quickly resolve the issue. To get quotations for pest control, local householders can click here. Are rats causing a problem in your home? Get a quote today, and don't delay!
Rat catchers in EX39 area.
