Dumfries Rat Catchers (DG1): Whilst it's not so commonplace at present, seeing rats in your garden or house in Dumfries just isn't a nice thing to go through. A single sighting of a rat may not be that much of a cause for concern, nonetheless, if you see rats more regularly or notice more than one you could be in trouble because they reproduce so fast.
If you happen to discover rats in Dumfries, the chances are that they will be brown rats (Rattus Norvegicus), although there are in fact 2 breeds of rat at present living in Great Britain; black (ship) rats and brown (common) rats. As you might know black rats were the cause of the Great Plague of the 17th Century and at that time they were extremely widespread. Black rats are relatively scarce nowadays and in fact neither type is native to the British Isles, both of them arriving from Asia.
The brown rat is larger than the black rat (Rattus Rattus) and may weigh up to 500g, with a length of approximately 9". To prevent their teeth from growing too long, common brown rats have to keep on gnawing at stuff, and that's why they cause so much damage and destruction. They particularly prefer to gnaw at timber.
Rat infestations will lead to all sorts of issues for home owners and businesses throughout Dumfries, they transmit diseases, gnaw through pipes, wires, insulation and woodwork, leave droppings, and contaminate foodstuffs. Property owners must always report rat sightings to the relevant local authority. It is possible to report a rat problem on the .gov website online HERE.
You'll often identify the presence of rats not in fact by observing them, but by them indicating their activity in other ways. It is possible you might spot distinctive rat holes gnawed in floorboards or skirtings, you could hear scratching noises coming from a loft, floor or wall, you could find a rat's nest in some hidden location or you might notice droppings in cupboards or on floors.
If you're going to have this problem managed correctly you'll want to bring in a professional. You could contact your local authority or bring in a professional Dumfries pest controller or rat catcher for yourself. In these modern times rat catchers usually come under the category of pest management, and pest control specialists not only control rats but additionally wasps, mice, fleas, moles, cockroaches, bedbugs and many other kinds of domestic and garden pests.
Checking for Rats
If you have an inkling you might have rats in your property or business, there are various ways in which you can find out. You could hunt for signs of tail trails or footprints in dusty areas, be on the lookout for burrows or tunnels alongside solid surfaces, watch out for rub marks where their greasy fur leaves marks on skirting boards and walls, keep your eyes peeled for droppings (faeces), they look similar to large grains of rice and are dark brown, listen out for continual scratching noises coming from walls and attics, particularly at nighttime, pay attention to gnaw marks in wires, wood and cables, especially in lofts.
Rat Bites
Whilst bites from rats are not that common in the British Isles, they do happen every now and again and they can be dangerous in certain circumstances. Rats can bite humans when they feel cornered or pressured, therefore in confined spaces it is wise to stay out of their way, or leave them a clear exit route.
You'd think that people would be cautious about placing their hand into a rat's cage, but as rats are often kept as pets (really?), this is a rising cause of rat bites. Even though rat bites aren't dangerous in all cases, they can become infected or be fatal if they develop into "rat bite fever". "Rat bite fever" (RBF), if it's left untreated, has a 10% mortality rate.
Signs of Rat Bite Fever - A number of symptoms and signs can be experienced by someone with "rat bite fever" including:
- Rash
- Muscle Pain
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Fever
- Swelling or Redness
- Joint Pain or Swelling
You should immediately wash the affected area with warm water, if you are bitten by a rat, and then apply an antibiotic cream, and finally cover it with a clean, sterile gauze or bandage. You need to make an emergency appointment with your doctor, or go to the nearest A&E, even if it doesn't appear to be that major. It is also recommended that you get a tetanus jab, particularly if you have not received one in the last 5 years or so.
What Attracts Rats and Mice?
While some people in Dumfries may think that they are cute with their furry bodies, twitching whiskers and pointy faces, rats and mice are certainly not animals that you want in your home or garden, and can even be dangerous to have around. By nibbling through skirting boards, plastic, plasterboard and electric wires, rats and mice can cause electrical fires and other accidents. Spreading conditions like rat bite fever, typhus, trichinosis, toxoplasmosis, Weil's disease, bubonic plague, salmonella, tularemia and listeria, mice and rats can cause more than 30 different kinds of disease. Among the things that will certainly attract rats and mice to your garden or home are:
- CLUTTER - General clutter in gardenshed, basement or loft will be especially attractive to rats and mice, particularly if there is a source of food nearby.
- ENTRY POINTS AND HOLES - Mice and rats can squeeze through the tiniest of holes, so look out for gaps around plumbing, vents, entrances and crawl spaces.
- FOOD - Food left discarded or lying around is perhaps the main attraction for mice and rats.
- WATER - Active rats and mice have to drink, so water sources like leaky pipes, birdbaths, seeping sprinkler systems and pet water bowls are a big temptation for these unwanted pests.
- PET WASTE/COMPOST - Incredibly pet waste and even piles of compost can be attractive to mice and rats - there are some tasty titbits hidden in there!
- RUBBISH - An accumulation of trash and garden waste piled up on your property (particularly in the garden) will attract mice and rats.
Coming Shortly:
Bird nest removal - article 132.
To Summarise
People with rat problems in Dumfries are often tempted to have a crack at solving it themselves. Therefore, if you find yourself in this situation, what ought you to do? By looking in shops, hardware stores and supermarkets in and around Dumfries, it is easy to buy rat poisons, rat traps and other similar products.
Retaining the services of an expert Dumfries rat exterminator would however be preferable, unless you know precisely what you're doing, because the right strategy isn't necessarily the most obvious one.
The amateur use of rat poisons is likely to cause more problems than it solves, as you've got to be extremely cautious with them especially if pets and children are about. If you know what is best for you, use a professional rat control service in Dumfries for a solution to your rat problems. (Tags: Rat Control Dumfries, Rat Exterminators Dumfries, Rat Removal Dumfries)
Pest Control Near Dumfries
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Other Pests in Dumfries: Also specialist help with pigeons in Dumfries, clothes moths in Dumfries, bedbugs in Dumfries, wasps in Dumfries, carpet beetles in Dumfries, mice in Dumfries, rabbits in Dumfries, bees in Dumfries, ants in Dumfries, fleas in Dumfries, hornets in Dumfries, silverfish in Dumfries, moles in Dumfries, cockroaches in Dumfries Scotland.
Pest Control Services Dumfries
Dumfries rat catchers can generally help you with rat trapping, pigeon control, pest control Dumfries, rat poison, rat prevention, pest netting in Dumfries, ultrasonic pest control, the removal of contaminated loft insulation, rat baits, anti-bird spike installation, emergency 24 hour pest control, bird proofing services Dumfries, dead animal removal, pest control services, dead bird removal, mole catching in Dumfries, rat catching Dumfries, rat deterrents, domestic pest control, bed bug heat treatments, commercial pest control in Dumfries, restaurant pest control Dumfries, pest extermination, pest removal, commercial rat control Dumfries, wildlife management, preventive pest control Dumfries, bed bugs pest control Dumfries, environmental pest control Dumfries, electronic pest control in Dumfries and other pest control in Dumfries, Scotland. These are just some of the tasks that are carried out by those installing pest control. Dumfries providers will be delighted to keep you abreast of their full range of services.
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