Hampstead Rat Catchers (NW3): Discovering rats in your garden or even inside your property tends to be rather an unsettling experience to go through even though it's not such a frequent occurrence in Hampstead in recent times, it's certainly not unheard of. Rats breed quickly and can cause issues, particularly when their numbers spiral out of hand. An individual incidence of a lone rat probably won't be much of a worry, but if you're noticing them regularly you need to get some specialist advice.
Although neither of the 2 varieties of rat currently found in the United Kingdom are natives of these islands, they've definitely thrived since they got here. The brown rat is especially common while the black (ship) rat is not so much nowadays. Both of these varieties originated in Asia and arrived in the United Kingdom as stowaways on boats.
The brown rat is normally bigger than the black rat (Rattus Rattus) and can weigh up to 500g, with a length of around nine inches. To stop their teeth from getting too long, common brown rats must keep gnawing at stuff, which explains why they're the cause of so much damage. Rats especially love to gnaw at wood.
Rats gnaw their way through wires, insulation, pipes and woodwork, transmit disease, leave behind droppings, and will generally cause a nuisance in homes and businesses in and around Hampstead. The local council should be advised whenever rats are observed. Or perhaps report pest and rat sightings on the .gov website HERE, which will be forwarded to the relevant local authority.
You will oftentimes be alerted to the presence of rats not by in fact observing them, but by their indicating their presence by other means. It could be that you could hear scratching noises coming from a loft, wall or floor, you could find droppings in cupboards or on floor surfaces, you might observe distinctive rat holes chewed in floorboards or skirtings or you may find a rat's nest in some hidden location.
In order to have this issue tackled properly you might want to speak to an expert. You could either get in contact with the local council or bring in an expert Hampstead pest controller or rat catcher yourself. In the world today rat catchers commonly fall into the category of pest management, and pest elimination companies don't only deal with rats but also mice, fleas, wasps, moles, bedbugs, cockroaches and a variety of other household and garden pests.
Species of Rat
In Hampstead or anywhere else in the United Kingdom, there are only two types of rat which you're going to come across. They're the Brown Rat and the Black Rat.
The Brown Rat
The brown rat (sewer rat, common rat, Norwegian Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) or street rat) is the most commonly found rat in Britain and throughout Continental Europe (also North America). The brown rat (it can sometimes be grey) is generally 4 to 9 inches in length (without the tail) and weighs about 140 - 500 grammes. It is usually found wherever people live. It was given the name Norway Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) since it was presumed to have arrived in the UK by ship from Norway. The brown rat is now understood to have originated from China or Central Asia. Brown rats have an acute sense of hearing but bad eyesight, they dig burrows and climb well, they're omnivores but favour cereals and grains, the female rats often give birth to five litters of up to 14 every year.
The Black Rat (Ship Rat)
The black rat, (Rattus Rattus), ship rat or roof rat is also not a native of Britain, originally coming from India. It's believed to have spread throughout Europe during the time of the Roman Empire, quite possibly hidden in cargoes of spice. At one time commonplace in the British Isles, this rat disappeared as the brown rat appeared. Growing to a length of five to seven inches, this rat weighs in at about 75 to 230 grams. Known to pass on listeria, trichinosis, rat bite fever, typhus, tularemia, toxoplasmosis, Weil's disease, salmonella and bubonic plague, black rats are prolific spreaders of disease and pathogens.
Rats - Telltale Signs
When you've got a notion you might have rats in your home or business, there are a few ways by which you can find out. You can search for footprints or tail trails in dusty areas or on loose soil, watch out for rub marks where their greasy fur leaves marks on skirtings and walls, pay attention to gnawing in wires, wood and cables, especially in lofts, be on the lookout for burrows or tunnels near to solid objects, listen out for scratching noises coming from roofs and walls, particularly at nighttime, keep an eye out for rat droppings, they look similar to large grains of rice and are darkish brown.
Rat Sightings - Reporting
We discussed this earlier, so here we'll go into it a bit more. The local environmental health is the place to send a report if you witness rats in a neighbours garden, in a public area or in your own garden. Sometimes councils offer a cost-free service for rat problems but payment is often required for most other pest infestations for instance bed bugs, cockroaches and wasps. Incidences of rats can also be reported using the Government (.gov) webpage HERE. Click HERE to book your own rat catcher and get the situation sorted out straight away.
Burrows
Burrowing and digging is one thing that rats love to do and it's beside solid structures and objects like terraces, paths, garden shed bases and garages that they mainly like to dig. Perfect for a nesting place, food storage and shelter, burrows are dug into extensive networks that can even cause damage to structures if not nipped in the bud. The entrances to burrows are usually worn smooth by continuous motion, so look out for holes with smooth sides at the side of solid surfaces. Should you discover holes but aren't sure if they're rats, they will commonly be about 2-4 inches across. Chuck some stuff into the entrance hole and check back the following day to find out if it's been moved. This can show you if the rats are still living there.
Rat Prevention Hampstead
The simplest way to avoid problems with rats and mice is not to encourage them from the beginning. For this reason, rat prevention ought to be something to think about even if you do not at present have rat problems. Domestic trash cluttering up your garden is one of the major factors that cause rat and mouse infestations. You'll do nothing but attract rats if you supply them with both the location and materials to build nests. If there's also a lot of food on offer your rats think they're in paradise, so be warned that many bird feeders can attract rats, particularly when they're prone to overflowing, and domestic food scraps should not be left lying around.
Mouse Problems Hampstead
Mice could be nearly as much of a concern as rats, in particular when they find their way inside your property. The same as rats, mice gnaw at stuff, contaminate foodstuffs, breed quickly, leave droppings and are typically a pain. Exactly the same methods are usually used to solve mouse infestations in Hampstead, this means poisoning and trapping are favoured. Hampstead rat catchers will also help you with mice infestations, so get on the phone or check out BARK and get the issue resolved.
Diseases Spread by Rats
The primary mode of transmission for the various diseases spread by rats to humans is through contact with their urine, saliva and faeces. Diseases such as rat-bite fever, salmonellosis, hantavirus and leptospirosis can be transmitted from rats to humans.
The severity of hantavirus lies in its ability to cause a respiratory illness that can be fatal. The bacterial infection known as rat-bite fever can be transmitted through a rat scratch or bite and can cause fever, rashes and vomiting. Liver and kidney failure are potential outcomes of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can also cause symptoms resembling the flu. Fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps are all symptomatic of the bacterial infection salmonellosis.
Reducing the risk of disease transmission requires the prevention and control of rat infestations. The transmission of additional diseases, such as Lyme disease and typhus, can occur through fleas and ticks carried by rats.
What Attracts Rats?
Regardless of their seemingly cute look, with their twitchy whiskers, furry bodies and pointy faces, mice and rats can be dangerous and are definitely not animals that you want to be living in your home or garden in Hampstead. Mice and rats can sometimes cause fires and other issues in homes and business premises in Hampstead by chewing through plastic, electrical wiring, plasterboard and skirting boards. More than 30 different types of disease can be spread by rats and mice including listeria, trichinosis, rat bite fever, typhus, tularemia, toxoplasmosis, Weil's disease, salmonella and bubonic plague. So, the primary things that may attract mice and rats to your home or garden are:
- ENTRY POINTS AND HOLES - Mice and rats can squeeze through the tiniest of cracks and holes, so keep an eye out for gaps around piping, entrances, crawl spaces and grills.
- RUBBISH - Accumulations of garbage and garden rubbish piled up on your property (especially in the garden) will definitely attract rodents.
- FOOD - Food that is left discarded or lying around is one of the primary attractions for rats and mice.
- CLUTTER - General jumble and clutter in basement, loft or gardenshed will be especially attractive to rodents, especially if there is a source of food close by.
- WATER - Busy little rats and mice need to drink, which means that water sources like dripping sprinkler systems, pet water bowls, leaky pipes and birdbaths are a big attraction for these unwelcome pests.
- PET WASTE/COMPOST - Surprisingly pet waste and even heaps of compost can attract rodents - they'll find plenty of tasty titbits hiding in there!
Rat Bite Wounds
While not all that common in Hampstead, rat bites do happen every once in a while, and in some instances they can be serious. When stressed or cornered, rats can bite people, thus if you encounter one in a confined space, it's best to leave the creature an exit route so it can escape.
You would think that people would be wary of shoving their hand inside a rat's cage, but as rats are often kept as pets (are you kidding?), this is a rising cause of rat bites. Even though they're not always dangerous, rat bites can turn nasty or even life threatening if they turn into "rat bite fever" (caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis), so they must be avoided if possible. If it's not treated rapidly "rat bite fever" (RBF) can cause death, and has has a 10% mortality rate.
Symptoms of Rat Bite Fever - Various symptoms can be suffered by someone with "rat bite fever" including things like:
- Muscle Pain
- Joint Pain or Swelling
- Fever
- Swelling or Redness
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- A Rash
You should promptly wash the wound with warm water, if you get bitten by a rat, then apply an antibiotic ointment to the bite area, and cover it with a clean bandage. You need to make an appointment to see your GP, or head for the nearest hospital A&E, even if you think it isn't that serious. If you haven't had a tetanus shot in the last five years, it might be wise to get one of these too - A&E will almost certainly do this routinely.
Rat Poison
Laying poison is one of the more horrible methods by which to eradicate rat infestations. Grains of wheat are coated with a poisonous compound and left for the rats to ingest, it then takes them several days to die. When set in the optimal location within an area where rats have been spotted, poison can quite rapidly exterminate a large number of rats. Commonly brodifacoum, difenacoum or bromadioline are among the poisons used. Dogs and cats could also be harmed as a result of rat poison, so take care. Rat poison brands made in the British Isles include: Propest, RatKil, Elixir Gardens, Rentokil, Roshield and Pest Expert. (Tags: Rat Poison Hampstead, Rat Poisons Hampstead)
General Pest Control in Hampstead
A pest-free environment and safeguarding property and health are both essential, and pest control is essential to achieving both. It encompasses the management and prevention of everyday pests, including spiders, flies, ants, rats and cockroaches. Helpful pest control procedures include regular inspections, sealing entry points, correct waste management, maintaining cleanliness, and utilising traps or insecticides when required. Minimising the use of harsh chemicals is a key objective of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, which emphasise sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches. Creating a safer and healthier working or living environment for individuals and those around them in Hampstead is possible through the implementation of comprehensive pest control techniques. Long-term pest-free surroundings are ensured by these strategies, which not only address existing pest issues but also act as a proactive defense against potential infestations. (66625 - General Pest Control Hampstead)
Summary
People with a rat problem in Hampstead are occasionally tempted to have a crack at resolving it themselves. Therefore, if you find yourself in this situation, what should you do? Rat traps, rat poisons and other merchandise is readily accessible in supermarkets, shops and hardware stores in the Hampstead area, so the stuff that you need can easily be acquired.
An experienced rat exterminator in Hampstead is however the preferred person for the job, seeing as controlling rats may not be as easy as you may believe.
The novice's use of rat poison will likely do more harm than good, seeing that you need to be incredibly vigilant with them especially when children and pets are around. You'd be much better off enlisting the help of an expert when you're in need of rat control in Hampstead.
Other Pests in Hampstead: Also seek assistance with wasps in Hampstead, pigeons in Hampstead, mice in Hampstead, silverfish in Hampstead, carpet beetles in Hampstead, ants in Hampstead, moles in Hampstead, clothes moths in Hampstead, rabbits in Hampstead, hornets in Hampstead, bees in Hampstead, cockroaches in Hampstead, fleas in Hampstead, bedbugs in Hampstead Greater London.
Pest Control Services Hampstead
Hampstead rat catchers can normally help you with anti-bird spike installation, commercial rat control Hampstead, wasp pest control Hampstead, the installation of pheromone stations (for moth entrapment), rat proofing Hampstead, electronic pest control, mole catching in Hampstead, powder treatments, guano clearance, rat removal, preventive pest control Hampstead, rat prevention, rat infestations Hampstead, rat poison, wildlife management, pest control services, garden pest control Hampstead, thermal imaging surveys, dead bird removal, squirrel pest control, bed bug pest control Hampstead, rat baits, domestic rat control in Hampstead, bird nest clearance, domestic pest control Hampstead, fogging & spray treatments, bird pest control Hampstead, bed bug heat treatments, residential pest control in Hampstead and other pest control in Hampstead, Greater London. Listed are just an example of the activities that are handled by those installing pest control. Hampstead companies will tell you about their whole range of services.
Pest Control Near Hampstead
Also find: Frognal rat catchers, Highgate rat catchers, Fortune Green rat catchers, Kentish Town rat catchers, Childs Hill rat catchers, Gospel Oak rat catchers, Golders Green rat catchers, Belsize Park rat catchers, Hampstead Heath rat catchers and more. Pretty much all of these places are served by people who do pest control. In tackling your rat issue efficiently and effectively, these experienced professionals bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge. Whether it's a solitary rat or a more extensive infestation, these pest control professionals possess the necessary equipment and skills to swiftly address the problem. Local home and property owners can get pest control quotes by going here.
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