Gnosall Rat Catchers (ST20): Whilst it's not so commonplace at present, spotting a rat in your garden or even inside your home in Gnosall isn't a pleasant thing to go through. Just one rat sighting might not be that much of an issue, but, if you see rats more regularly or notice more than one you might be heading for trouble as they tend to reproduce so quickly.
Although neither of the 2 rat species at present found in the United Kingdom originate from these shores, they've unquestionably made themselves at home. The brown rat is particularly widespread whilst the black (ship) rat isn't so much nowadays. Both varieties originated in Asia and got to the UK on boats (as stowaways).
The largest of the 2 rats is the brown at approximately 9 inches, whilst the black only grows to between 5 and 7 inches. To stop their teeth from growing too long, common brown rats have to keep on chewing things, which explains why they are responsible for so much damage and destruction. Timber is particularly more prone to their gnawing.
Rats may cause lots of issues in homes and businesses in Gnosall and they gnaw through woodwork, insulation, wires and pipes, leave droppings, transmit disease, and generally cause a nuisance. The local authority must be informed whenever rats are seen. Or otherwise head HERE to report pest problems and rat sightings on the .gov web page.
It is not purely by appearance that you'll become aware of the presence of rats, their behaviour is often quite enough to give warning. Perhaps you might encounter rat holes chewed into skirtings or floorboards, you might stumble upon a rat's nest in some out of sight location, you might find droppings on the floor or in cupboards or you could hear scratching noises coming from a loft, floor or wall.
To solve this situation there are various routes you could take. You could lay traps or poison yourself, you can speak to the local Gnosall authority or council or you can bring in a pest removal expert. In the past, rat catchers were simply that, however today they tend to be known as pest controllers and will not just be able to help with getting rid of rats but also wasps, ants, moles, mice, cockroaches and many more. (Tags: Pest Control Gnosall, Ratcatchers Gnosall )
Reporting Rats and Pests
This is a little more information on a topic that we discussed earlier in this article. The local environmental health is where you should report it if you notice rats in a neighbours garden, in your own garden or in a public place. Sometimes local councils offer a free service for rat problems but charges are generally made for most unwelcome pests for example bed bugs, cockroaches and wasps. You can head over to the .gov webpage HERE to report rat infestations. To get things sorted fast schedule a rat catcher HERE.
Rat Burrows
Digging is a thing that all rats really love to do and it's next to solid structures and objects such as patios, garden shed bases, paths and garages where they especially prefer to dig. These are not just straightforward holes, but substantial systems of burrows, intended to use as a nesting place, shelter and food storage. Watch out for holes having smooth edges, which have been rubbed by the endless comings and goings of these busy little creatures. The entrance holes to rat burrows are commonly two to four inches across. You should check if rats are living there by temporarily blocking the burrow entrance to find out whether they come back and clear it.
Rat Bites
While not that common in Britain, bites from rats certainly do occur periodically, and in certain situations they can have serious consequences. Rats can bite humans when they feel cornered or pressured, therefore in confined spaces it is advisable to stay well out of their way, and leave them a clear exit route.
Quite a few incidences of rat bites arise when rats are kept as pets, and ramming your hand into a rat's cage is asking for trouble. Rat bites aren't always serious, though should be avoided where possible, and they can turn nasty or even life threatening if they develop into "rat bite fever" (caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis). If it is left untreated "rat bite fever" can result in death, and has has a 10% mortality rate.
Symptoms of Rat Bite Fever - Some of the signs of "rat bite fever" are:
- Muscle Pain
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Fever
- Joint Pain
- Redness or Swelling
- Headaches
If you get bitten by a rat you should wash the wound promptly, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover it up with a clean gauze or bandage. Even if the wound doesn't seem that major, you should book an emergency appointment with your GP or head straight to the nearest A&E. If you haven't received a tetanus shot in the last five years or so, you should also get one of these too.
Species of Rat
There are only two types of rat which you may run into in Gnosall or in fact any place else in the United Kingdom. They're the Black Rat and the Brown Rat.
The Brown Rat
The brown rat (common rat, sewer rat, Norwegian Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) or street rat) is the most frequently found rat in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe (also North America). The colour of this rodent ranges between brown and grey, it usually grows to around 4-9 inches (with an equivalent length of tail) with a weight range of between 140 and 500 grammes. Nowadays known to have originally come from Central Asia, the brown rat was at one time presumed to have arrived from Norway (hence its name). Brown rats have excellent hearing but poor eyesight, they burrow extensively and climb well, they're omnivores but have a preference for grain cereals, the female rats often reproduce five litters of as many as Fourteen per year.
The Black Rat
The black rat, ship rat or roof rat (Rattus Rattus) is also not a native of the UK, originating from Southeast Asia (most likely India). It is believed to have spread throughout Europe in Roman times, quite possibly hidden in spice shipments. The black rat was at one time prevalent in the UK but was basically driven out by the larger brown rat and is now not often found. Weighing only 75-230g, the black rat reaches a length of 5" to 7". Well known for passing on toxoplasmosis, tularemia, Weil's disease, bubonic plague, listeria, salmonella, typhus, trichinosis and rat bite fever, black rats are notorious spreaders of pathogens and disease.
Checking for Rats
There are a number of ways that you can find out if you've got rats. When you've got your suspicions that there may be rats in your home or business you can be on the lookout for burrows or holes adjacent to solid objects, listen closely for scratching noises emanating from attics and walls, in particular during the night, pay attention to gnawing in wires, cables and wood, particularly in attics, watch out for rub marks on walls and skirtings where greasy fur has left marks, search for footprints or tail trails in dusty areas, keep an eye out for droppings, they are darkish brown and look like large grains of rice.
What Attracts Rats?
Though some folks in Gnosall may think that they're rather cute with their pointy faces, furry bodies and twitching whiskers, mice and rats are definitely not animals that you want living in your house or garden, and they can actually be dangerous to have around. Rats and mice can cause damage to your house by nibbling through electric wiring, skirting boards, plasterboard and plastic, and are often to blame for fires and other issues. Spreading conditions like toxoplasmosis, tularemia, Weil's disease, bubonic plague, listeria, salmonella, typhus, trichinosis and rat bite fever, rats and mice can cause over thirty types of disease. Several different things will attract rats and mice to your garden and home including:
- PET WASTE/COMPOST - Incredibly heaps of compost and even pet waste can be attractive to rats and mice - they will find some tasty morsels hidden in there!
- WATER - Active rats and mice have to drink like any other living creature, therefore water sources such as pet water bowls, leaking pipes, dripping sprinkler systems and birdbaths are a big attraction for these unwelcome pests.
- FOOD - Food that is left lying around or discarded is perhaps the main attraction for mice and rats.
- TRASH/RUBBISH - An accumulation of junk and garden rubbish stacked up on your property (especially in the garden) will clearly attract rats and mice.
- CLUTTER - General clutter in an attic, shed or cellar will be particularly attractive to rodents, especially if there is a food source nearby.
- HOLES AND ENTRY POINTS - Mice and rats can squeeze through the tiniest of cracks and holes, so watch out for spaces around crawl spaces, air vents, doorways and piping.
To Summarise
Folks with a rat problem in Gnosall are occasionally tempted to have a bash at resolving it themselves. So, if you find yourself in this situation, what should you do? There are an array of products that are currently available to help you to achieve this and you will acquire rat poisons, rat traps and similar products in shops, hardware stores and supermarkets in and around Gnosall.
Having said that, unless you're aware of exactly what you're at, it's probably far better to use an expert rat exterminator, who will have resolved such problems hundreds if not thousands of times previously, and will know automatically what the best solution is.
The amateur use of rat poisons will likely cause more problems than it solves, since you've got to be exceptionally vigilant with them when pets and children are about. If you've any doubts, get in touch with the professionals for your rat control needs in Gnosall. (Tags: Rat Control Gnosall, Rat Removal Gnosall, Rat Exterminator Gnosall)
Other Pests in Gnosall: Also expert help with ants in Gnosall, silverfish in Gnosall, carpet beetles in Gnosall, fleas in Gnosall, rabbits in Gnosall, moles in Gnosall, mice in Gnosall, clothes moths in Gnosall, wasps in Gnosall, bees in Gnosall, hornets in Gnosall, cockroaches in Gnosall, pigeons in Gnosall, bedbugs in Gnosall Staffordshire.
Pest Control Near Gnosall
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