Congleton Rat Catchers (CW12): Noticing a rat in your garden or even inside your home is usually rather an unsettling experience to go through and while it is not so frequent an occurrence in Congleton these days, it is definitely not unheard of. Rats tend to breed rather quickly and will likely cause problems, especially when their numbers spiral out of control. A single sighting of a solitary rat won't be all that much of an issue, but if you happen to be noticing them often you'll want to report it.
If you spot rats in Congleton, the chances are that they are going to be common brown rats, although there are actually two species of rat currently living in the United Kingdom; brown (or common rats) and black (ship). As you may be aware ship rats were responsible for the spread of the Great Plague (17th C) at which time they were pretty common. Black rats are quite rare now but in fact neither breed is a native of the United Kingdom, both of them coming from Asia.
The brown rat is bigger than the black rat weighing in at half a kilogram and reaching a length of approximately 9 inches. Brown rats often cause problems as they must continuously gnaw on stuff to prevent their teeth from getting too long. They particularly love to gnaw at woodwork.
Rats may cause a number of issues in homes and businesses throughout Congleton and they spread diseases, leave behind droppings, gnaw their way through pipes, woodwork, insulation and wires, and generally cause a nuisance. The local authority needs to be advised when there are any frequent incidences of rats. In addition you can report sightings of rats and other pests on the .gov web page HERE.
You won't need to physically observe rats to know of that they are there, because there are a number of telltale signs which may warn you of their presence. It could be that you could hear noises coming from a floor, loft or wall, you could come upon a rat's nest hidden away, you may detect droppings in cupboards or on floor surfaces or you might encounter holes chewed in skirting boards or floorboards.
If you are going to have this issue managed properly you will have to call in a professional. You could either get in contact with your local authority or call in an expert Congleton rat catcher or pest controller yourself. There aren't very many people nowadays who only specialize in rat catching, so you can also call them if you have a problem with moles causing damage or even a wasps nest in your loft. (Tags: Pest Control Congleton, Ratcatchers Congleton )
Signs of Rats
When you have a notion that you may have rats in your business or home, there are a number of means by which you can tell. You can look out for holes or burrows close to solid objects, try to find footprints or tail trails in dusty areas, keep your eyes open for droppings, they look like large grains of rice and are darkish brown, listen closely for constant scratching noises emanating from lofts and walls, in particular during the night, watch for rub marks on walls and skirting boards where greasy fur has left marks, pay attention to gnawing in wires, cables and wood, particularly in attics.
Problems With Mice
While not as distressing as seeing rats scampering around garden or house, mice can be just as much of an issue. Mice, just like rats, contaminate food, leave droppings, breed quickly and gnaw at stuff. The resolution to mouse problems in Congleton are much the same as those used for rats ie poisoning and trapping. Congleton rat catchers can also help you with mouse infestations, so contact one or head to BARK and get the problem resolved.
Ultrasonic Pest Control Congleton
Ultrasonic pest control is the practice of deterring and repelling pests such as mice, rats, insects, and other critters using high-frequency sound waves. By emitting sound waves that are above the human hearing range but within the audible range of pests, the technology functions. The environment for pests becomes disorienting and uncomfortable due to the waves, which complicates their ability to communicate and navigate.
Ultrasonic pest control units are relatively low-priced and uncomplicated to use, but their efficacy is still in question. Studies have yielded mixed results regarding the effectiveness of these devices, with some demonstrating effective repelling of specific pests while others indicating little or no impact. The effectiveness of ultrasonic pest control is contingent on variables like the type of pest, the treated area's dimensions, and other environmental factors. Before making a decision, it is vital to weigh all options and seek the advice of an expert, as with any pest control method.
Types of Rat
You'll only ever encounter two sorts of rat in Congleton, Cheshire and anywhere in the United Kingdom. The Black Rat and the Brown Rat.
The Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus)
The brown rat (common rat, sewer rat, Norwegian Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) or street rat) is the most commonly found rat in the UK and all over Europe (also North America). The colouring of this species ranges between brown and grey, it normally grows to about 4 to 9 inches (plus an equivalent length tail) with a weight range of between 140 and 500g. Nowadays understood to have originated in Central Asia, this rat was once assumed to have come from Norway. Brown rats dig burrows and climb well, they have excellent hearing but bad eyesight, the females can produce up to 5 litters per year, they eat more or less any foodstuffs (they are omnivores) but have a preference for grains and cereals.
The Black Rat (Ship Rat)
The black rat, ship rat or roof rat is also not a native of the British Isles, arriving from Southeast Asia (probably India). It's regarded as having spread to Europe in Roman times, quite possibly traveling in shipments of spices. Once common in the British Isles, the black rat largely disappeared as the brown rat became dominant. The black rat attains lengths of 5-7 inches and usually weighs 75-230 grammes. Black rats have a reputation for spreading a number of diseases, most notably bubonic plague, salmonella, Weil's disease, listeria, tularemia, typhus, toxoplasmosis, rat bite fever and trichinosis.
Mole Problems
Whilst nowhere near such a commonplace problem nowadays moles are also often handled by rat catchers. Causing quite different issues to rats, moles aren't quite so disliked. It's outside in the garden where you're likely to have issues with moles, and lawns in particular are susceptible. Proof of their activity can clearly be spotted in the shape of scattered mounds of earth on perfectly maintained lawns. Capturing with traps is undoubtedly the most acceptable and humane way to reduce the number of moles.
Burrows
Digging and burrowing is one thing that rats really like to do and it's adjacent to solid objects or structures like garden shed bases, patios, paths and garage foundations that they particularly prefer to dig. These are often not simple holes, but extensive networks of burrows, made to provide food storage, shelter and nesting. A guaranteed indication of a rat burrow is a hole with smooth sides near to a solid structure, where the movement of furry critters have rubbed and polished the entrance hole. The entrances to rat burrows are commonly 2-4 inches in diameter. Toss some debris into the entrance hole and look the following day to find out whether it's been moved. This should tell you if rats are still using it.
Rat Traps
Rat traps are one of the ways to deal with a rat infestation, no matter if you're tackling it by yourself or bringing the professionals in. You can find various different sorts of rat trap these days, some that exterminate the rats and others that capture rats for release later. Individuals who do not like to see animals of any sort harmed, will certainly prefer the capture kind of trap. If you look around you will find loads of varying patterns such as: cage traps, electronic rat traps, enclosed poison traps and spring loaded bait traps.
Rat Bites
Although, in the UK, rat bites are not all that common, they certainly do occur every now and again, and the consequences can be serious in some instances. When stressed or cornered, rats can bite humans, thus if you stumble upon one one in a confined environment, it's advisable to leave it an exit route so it can escape.
You'd think that folks would be wary of poking their hand into a rat's cage, but as rats are frequently kept as pets, this is a rising cause of rat bites. Rat bites are not necessarily serious, though must be avoided if possible, and they can become infected or be fatal if they turn into "rat bite fever" (caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis). If it's not treated rapidly "rat bite fever" can result in death, and has has a 10% mortality rate.
Signs of Rat Bite Fever (RBF) - Among the symptoms and signs of "rat bite fever" are:
- Muscle Pain
- A Rash
- Swelling or Redness
- Joint Pain
- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
In the unlikely circumstance that you are ever bitten by a rat, you'll have to carefully bathe the wounded area, administer a layer of antibiotic cream, and cover it with a clean, sterile bandage or gauze. You should book an appointment to see your doctor, or head to the nearest hospital A&E unit, even if it doesn't appear to be that serious. If you haven't had a tetanus jab in the last 5 years or so, it might be advisable to get one of these as well - A&E will most likely do this as routine.
What Attracts Rats and Mice?
With their pointy faces, furry bodies and twitching whiskers, some folk may find rats and mice to be rather cute, however they're certainly not the type of creatures that you want to be living in your house or garden in Congleton, and can actually be more dangerous than you would suppose. Mice and rats are known to cause fires and other problems around the home by nibbling through skirting boards, electrical cables, plastic and plasterboard. Over 30 different sorts of disease can be spread by rats and mice including bubonic plague, salmonella, Weil's disease, listeria, tularemia, typhus, toxoplasmosis, rat bite fever and trichinosis. So, the main things that may attract rats and mice to your garden or home are:
- TRASH/RUBBISH - An accumulation of trash and garden waste piled up on your property (particularly in the garden) will clearly attract mice and rats.
- HOLES AND ENTRY POINTS - Mice and rats can squeeze through the smallest of cracks and holes, so be on the lookout for spaces around crawl spaces, doorways, pipework and vents.
- FOOD - Food that is left discarded or lying around is perhaps the main attraction for mice and rats.
- WATER - Busy little rodents need to drink like any other living creature, therefore sources of water like leaky pipes, pet bowls, seeping sprinkler systems and birdbaths are a big attraction for these pests.
- CLUTTER - General clutter in an outbuilding, cellar or attic will be particularly attractive to mice and rats, especially if there's a source of food close by.
- PET WASTE/COMPOST - Incredibly heaps of compost and even pet waste can be attractive to rats and mice - they'll find plenty of tasty titbits hidden in there!
Coming Shortly:
Bird nest removal - article 132.
In Conclusion
When you have a problem with rats in Congleton you might possibly try to take care of it on your own - and obviously countless property owners in Congleton do just that. Rat poisons, rat traps and other similar products are easily obtainable in hardware stores, shops and supermarkets in and around Congleton, so the items that you need can be easily bought.
Nonetheless, unless you are aware of what you are at, it is probably far better to appoint an experienced rat exterminator, who'll have dealt with such problems thousands of times previously, and will know exactly what the ideal solution is.
The newcomer's use of rat poisons will likely cause more problems than it solves, since you must be exceptionally vigilant with them if children and pets are likely to come into contact with them. You'd be much better off enlisting the assistance of a professional whenever you need rat control in Congleton.
Pest Control Services Congleton
Congleton rat catchers will likely help you with wasp pest control Congleton, pest control for fleas, powder treatments (for wasps nest), preventive pest control Congleton, electronic pest control, anti-bird spike installation Congleton, rat prevention in Congleton, environmental pest control Congleton, rat trapping in Congleton, rat extermination, rat deterrents, the removal of contaminated loft insulation Congleton, ingress pest solutions, rat proofing, residential pest control, ultrasonic pest control, bird pest control Congleton, bird proofing services Congleton, bed bug heat treatments, rat catching, household pest control, mouse control, rat pest control, ant pest control Congleton, restaurant pest control Congleton, pest control, thermal imaging surveys for locating pests, wasp nest removal Congleton, rodent control, squirrel control and other pest control in Congleton, Cheshire. These are just a small portion of the duties that are performed by those specialising in pest control. Congleton providers will keep you informed about their full range of pest control services.
Pest Control Near Congleton
Also find: Timbersbrook pest control, Church Lawton pest control, Astbury pest control, Smallwood pest control, Thurlwood pest control, Hightown pest control, Somerford pest control, Brownlow pest control, Hulme Warfield pest control, Lower Heath pest control, West Heath pest control, North Rode pest control, Key Green rat catchers and more. Most of these areas are serviced by local pest control. Congleton residents can get estimates by going here.
Other Pests in Congleton: Also seek assistance with mice in Congleton, ants in Congleton, fleas in Congleton, pigeons in Congleton, hornets in Congleton, silverfish in Congleton, bees in Congleton, clothes moths in Congleton, cockroaches in Congleton, carpet beetles in Congleton, wasps in Congleton, bedbugs in Congleton, rabbits in Congleton, moles in Congleton Cheshire.
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