Hitchin Rat Catchers (SG4): Observing a rat in your home or garden can be rather a frightening thing to experience even though it's not such a regular occurrence in Hitchin nowadays, it is certainly something that happens every once in awhile. Rats breed very quickly and are likely to cause problems, especially when they're seen in numbers. Just one sighting of a lone rat probably won't be much of a problem, however if you happen to be seeing them often it's best to seek help.
If you do happen to spot rats in Hitchin, the chances are that they are going to be brown rats, although there are in fact 2 species of rats presently living in the United Kingdom; black (ship) rats and brown (or common) rats. As you may know black rats were blamed for the Great Plague (17th C) during which period they were really widespread. Black rats are relatively scarce now but in fact neither species is native to the United Kingdom, both coming from Asia.
The black rat (Rattus Rattus) at 5-7 inches, is a bit smaller than the brown rat, which grows to lengths of almost nine inches and weighs in at around 500g. A great deal of the destruction caused by brown rats is down to the fact that to prevent their incisor teeth from getting too long, they've got to continuously gnaw stuff. Their attention is frequently concentrated on stuff that's made from timber.
Rats leave droppings, spread disease, gnaw through insulation, woodwork, wires and pipes, and generally cause a nuisance in homes and business premises in and around Hitchin. Any regular sightings of rats ought to be reported to the local council. You may also report rat problems on the .gov website online HERE.
It is not always by sight alone that you will be alerted to the existence of rats, their actions are sometimes quite enough to give warning. Perhaps you may hear scratching coming from a wall, loft or floor, you might start seeing droppings on the floor or in cupboards, you could find a rat's nest hidden away somewhere or you could encounter rat holes gnawed into skirting boards or floorboards.
If you don't wish to wait for the local council to address this problem you could always get in touch with local Hitchin pest controller or rat catcher who will be qualified in the field of pest removal. There aren't so many individuals these days who specialize just in rat problems, you are also able to bring them in if you have a wasp nest in your attic or perhaps moles causing damage to your lawn. (Tags: Pest Control Hitchin, Rat Catchers Hitchin )
Rat Prevention Hitchin: Dissuading rats and mice even before they appear is actually an effective way to avoid such issues. Consequently, even though you do not presently have a problem with rats, rat prevention should be right at the top of your priority list. One of the main reasons for rat and rodent infestations is domestic household rubbish littering gardens. Supplying them with both the materials and location to build nests will only encourage them. Furthermore, you should refrain from giving them easy foodstuffs by leaving food waste lying around and putting out bird feeders with grain that will only attract rats and mice.
Rat Poisons: Poisoning is one of the more distasteful methods by which to eradicate rat infestations. A rat dies just a few days after eating poisoned bait, normally wheat. A substantial accumulation of rats can be killed by this method provided that the poisoned bait is placed correctly. Toxic ingredients that are widely-used in making rat poisons include: brodifacoum, bromadioline or difenacoum. You've got to be careful to keep this away from cats and dogs. Brands of rat poison available in Hitchin include the likes of: Roshield, Elixir Gardens, Pest Expert, Rentokil, RatKil and Propest. (Tags: Rat Poison Hitchin, Rat Poisons Hitchin)
Species of Rat
There are only 2 kinds of rat which it's possible to run into in Hitchin or anywhere else in the UK for that matter. The Black Rat and the Brown 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 all over Europe (also North America). The brown rat (it can sometimes be grey in colour) is typically four to nine inches in length (excluding the tail) and weighs 140-500g. It is invariably found wherever humans live. It was given the name Rattus Norvegicus (Norway Rat) because it was presumed to have arrived in Great Britain by ship from Norway. It is nowadays considered to have originated in China or Central Asia. Brown rats climb effectively and dig extensive burrows, they have poor eyesight but an acute sense of hearing, the female rats can produce up to five litters every year, they will feed on more or less any foodstuffs (omnivores) but have a preference for cereal grains.
The Black Rat:
Originating in Southeast Asia (India) the black rat, ship rat or roof rat (Rattus Rattus) is also not a native species of Britain or Europe. It's believed to have spread to Europe in Roman times, very likely traveling in cargoes of spice. At one time prevalent in the British Isles, the black rat largely disappeared when the brown rat became dominant. Weighing just 75 to 230 grams, the black rat grows to a length of 5-7 inches. Notorious for causing diseases black rats are often to blame for typhus, tularemia, rat bite fever, listeria, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, Weil's disease, bubonic plague and trichinosis.
Do You Have Rats?: When you have an inkling that you may have rats in your home or business, there are a number of ways in which you're able to tell. You can look out for holes or burrows close to solid surfaces, hunt for signs of footprints or tail trails in dusty areas, listen closely for scratching noises emanating from attics and walls, particularly during the night, keep your eyes open for faeces, they look similar to large grains of rice and are darkish brown, check for gnaw marks in cables, wood and wires, especially in lofts, watch out for rub marks on skirtings and walls where greasy fur has left marks.
Rat Burrows: One thing that rats like to do is burrow, and their favoured place to burrow is alongside solid structures and objects like patios, garage foundations, shed bases and pathways. Providing them with a nesting place, shelter and food storage, rat burrows are excavated into extensive networks which could even cause damage to structures if something isn't done. A guaranteed indication of a rat burrow is usually a hole with smooth sides by the side of a solid structure, where the movement of furry critters have rubbed and polished the entrance hole. The entrance holes to rat burrows are normally about two to four inches in diameter. You should check if rats are still about by partially filling up the entrance to ascertain if they come back and remove it.
What Attracts Rats and Mice?
Although some folks in Hitchin might think that they're rather cute with their twitchy whiskers, pointy faces and furry bodies, rats and mice are definitely not creatures that you want to have living in your home or garden, and they can even be dangerous. By gnawing through insulation materials, plastic, wood and electric wiring, mice and rats can cause accidents and in particular electrical fires. Between them rats and mice can spread over 30 sorts of diseases including things like typhus, tularemia, rat bite fever, listeria, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, Weil's disease, bubonic plague and trichinosis. Several different things will attract rats and mice to your home or garden including:
- CLUTTER - General clutter in an outbuilding, cellar or attic will be especially attractive to rats and mice, especially if there's a source of food close by.
- COMPOST/PET WASTE - Remarkably piles of compost and even pet waste can be attractive to mice and rats - they will find a few tasty morsels hidden in there!
- ENTRY POINTS AND HOLES - Mice and rats can squeeze through the tiniest of holes, so be on the lookout for gaps around air vents, crawl spaces, doors and plumbing.
- WATER - Rats and mice have to drink like any other creature, therefore water sources like seeping sprinkler systems, birdbaths, leaky pipes and pet bowls are a big enticement for these unwanted pests.
- TRASH/RUBBISH - Accumulations of junk and garden rubbish piled up on your property (especially in the garden) will certainly attract rodents.
- FOOD - Food left discarded or lying around is one of the main attractions for mice and rats.
Householders with rat problems in Hitchin are sometimes tempted to have a shot at resolving it for themselves. So, if this happens to you, what ought you to do? There are a number of products offered to help you to achieve this and you will buy rat traps, rat poisons and other products in supermarkets, shops and hardware stores in and around Hitchin. An expert rat exterminator in Hitchin is however the preferred person for the job, because controlling rats isn't necessarily as straightforward as you might assume. Due to the dangers to children and pets, the rookie's use of rat toxins isn't recommended, and it's not always beneficial in any case. If you know what's best for you, always use a professional rat control service in Hitchin for a solution to your rat problems.
Hitchin rat catchers can usually help with commercial rat control, household pest control in Hitchin, rat catching, domestic pest control Hitchin, rat trapping, insect heat treatments in Hitchin, mole catching, commercial pest control, rat infestations, mouse control, rat baits, ant control, rat poison, pest control, cockroach control, electronic pest control, residential pest control and other pest control in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
Pest Control Nearby
Also find: Ickleford rat catchers, St Ippolyts rat catchers, Lower Stondon rat catchers, Gosmore rat catchers, Walsworth rat catchers, Weston rat catchers, Holwell rat catchers, Little Wymondley rat catchers, Pegsdon rat catchers, Offley rat catchers, Lilley rat catchers, Pirton rat catchers, Ashbrook rat catchers, Kings Walden rat catchers and more. These and other areas are serviced by rat catchers and comparable experts. Their extensive know-how and expertise enable these professional pest controllers to efficiently and effectively tackle your rodent issue. For handling either a large infestation or a solitary rat, these pest control experts have the essential tools and skills to resolve the issue promptly. Local property owners can get pest control quotes by simply clicking here. Are rats causing a problem in your home or business? Get a quote today!
Hitchin Rat Control Services
- Hitchin Rodent Control
- Hitchin Pest Inspections
- Hitchin Rat Removal
- Hitchin Domestic Pest Control
- Hitchin Rat Trapping
- Hitchin Rat Catching
- Hitchin Commercial Pest Control
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- Hitchin Rat Extermination
- Hitchin Rat Prevention
- Hitchin Rat Deterrent
- Hitchin Mouse Control
- Hitchin Rat Inspections
- Hitchin Pest Removal
Rat catchers in SG4 area.
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