Littlehampton Rat Catchers (BN17): Even though it is not that commonplace in these modern times, seeing rats in your garden or even inside your property in Littlehampton isn't a pleasing thing to experience. One sighting of a rat might not be too much of a cause for concern, but, if you observe rats more frequently or notice multiple rats you could be in for trouble since they breed so quickly.
If you see rats in Littlehampton, the probability is that they are going to be common brown rats, although there are in fact two sorts of rat presently found in the UK; black (or ship) rats and brown (or common) rats. As you could be aware ship rats were responsible for the Great Plague (17th C) and at that time they were really common. Black rats are relatively rare now and in fact neither type is a native of Great Britain, both of them coming from Asia.
The brown rat is larger than the black rat (Rattus Rattus) and may weigh nearly 500g, with a length of about 9". Most of the destruction caused by brown rats is because to prevent their incisors from growing too much, they've got to continuously gnaw stuff. Woodwork is particularly vulnerable to this gnawing.
Rats cause an assortment of problems in businesses and homes around Littlehampton and they leave droppings, gnaw their way through insulation, wires, pipes and woodwork, transmit disease, and generally cause a nuisance. Sightings of rats need to be reported to the local authorities. Also you can report problems with rats on the .gov web page HERE.
You will often become aware of the existence of rats not by actually physically observing them, but by them indicating their activity by other means. Its possible you might hear scratching noises coming from a loft, floor or wall, you could come across distinctive rat holes gnawed into floorboards or skirting boards, you may come upon a rat's nest in some tucked away location or you might start seeing droppings in cupboards or on floor surfaces.
If you don't want to wait for the local environmental health authority to address your rat issues you may also call in local Littlehampton rat catcher or pest controller who'll be an expert in the art of pest removal. In the world today rat catchers usually come under the umbrella of pest control, and pest elimination providers don't only remove rats but additionally fleas, bedbugs, cockroaches, mice, moles, wasps and all sorts of garden and household pests.
Burrows
A thing that all rats love to do is burrow and dig, and their favoured location to do it is adjacent to solid objects or structures like garden shed bases, patios, paths and garages. Perfect for food storage, a nesting place and shelter, burrows are dug into extensive networks that can even cause damage if not nipped in the bud. Keep an eye out for holes having smooth edges, that have been rubbed by the frequent movement of these busy little pests. When you notice holes but aren't positive that they're rats, they will normally be approximately 2" to 4" in diameter. You can find out if rats are still living there by temporarily blocking the entrance hole to find out if they return and clear it away.
Species of Rat
There are actually two types of rat that you might encounter in Littlehampton or in fact any place else in the United Kingdom. The Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) and the Black Rat (Rattus Rattus).
The Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus)
The brown rat (sewer rat, common rat, Norwegian Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) or street rat) is the most commonly found rat in Britain and throughout Europe (also North America). The brown rat (it can sometimes be grey in colour) is normally 4-9" in length (excluding the tail) and weighs 140-500g. It is usually found wherever people live. Nowadays thought to have originated in Central Asia, this rat was at one time believed to have arrived from Norway. Brown rats have an acute sense of hearing but poor eyesight, they dig extensive burrows and climb well, they are omnivores but have a preference for grain cereals, the female rats often give birth to five litters of as many as 14 pups every year.
The Black Rat (Ship Rat)
Originating in India the black rat, ship rat or roof rat (Rattus Rattus) is also not a native of Great Britain or Europe. It is thought to have spread to Europe in Roman times, probably hidden in spice shipments. Quite scarce now in the British Isles, the black rat was largely ousted by the more dominant brown rat. Weighing in at just 75g to 230g, the black rat attains a length of around 5-7 inches. Notorious for spreading diseases black rats can be accountable for toxoplasmosis, trichinosis, listeria, Weil's disease, tularemia, rat bite fever, bubonic plague, salmonella and typhus.
Problems With Mice
Mice may be nearly as much of an issue as having rats, particularly when they get into your house. While not as big, mice are still going to gnaw at things, leave droppings, breed rapidly and contaminate food. The techniques for mouse infestations in Littlehampton are pretty much the same as the ones used for rats ie setting traps and poisoning. No matter whether you have got a problem with rats or mice, head right over to BARK and find a local Littlehampton pest controller to help you out.
Ultrasonic Pest Control
Using high-frequency sound waves to deter and repel pests, including mice, rats, insects, and other creatures, is what ultrasonic pest control is all about. The technology operates by releasing sound waves that are inaudible to humans but audible to pests. The sound waves create a disorienting and uncomfortable atmosphere for pests, which challenges their navigation and communication abilities.
The efficacy of ultrasonic pest control units is debatable, despite their affordability and ease of use. The effectiveness of these devices is variable and subject to conflicting results in studies, with some showing successful pest repulsion while others indicating little to no impact. The efficiency of ultrasonic pest control can fluctuate depending on factors such as the type of pest, the treated area's size, and environmental variables. It is essential to weigh all options and seek the advice of a specialist before choosing a pest control method, as with any other strategy. For optimal results, it is recommended to use ultrasonic pest control in conjunction with other pest management methods, rather than relying on it exclusively.
Diseases Spread by Rats
Rats are known to spread a variety of diseases to humans, primarily through contact with their saliva, faeces and urine. Rats have been known to carry diseases such as rat-bite fever, leptospirosis, hantavirus and salmonellosis, which can be transmitted to humans.
Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection, can cause flu-like symptoms and potentially result in the failure of the kidneys and liver. Symptoms such as fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea are caused by the bacterial infection salmonellosis. A rat scratch or bite can transmit the bacterial infection known as rat-bite fever, which can cause rashes, fever and vomiting. Hantavirus can cause a severe respiratory illness that can be fatal.
In order to lower the risk of disease transmission, it is crucial to control and prevent rat infestations. Furthermore, the risk of disease transmission can be further increased by the contamination of food and water sources from rat droppings and urine. The use of effective rat control measures, such as proper sanitation and rodent-proofing, can assist in the prevention and reduction of both rat infestations and the spread of these diseases.
Rat Bites
Whilst they're by no means among the most commonplace injuries inflicted on people in the United Kingdom, from time to time bites from rats do occur, and the effects can sometimes be serious. When rats are scared or feel cornered, they can attack and bite people, thus if you unfortunately find yourself in a situation like that, leave an easy exit route and keep out of the way.
Rat bites occasionally occur in properties where rats are kept as pets, and poking your hand into a rat's cage is certainly something to be wary of. Rat bites can become infected or be life threatening if they develop into "rat bite fever", therefore they should be avoided when possible, although of of course bites are not always serious. If it isn't treated swiftly "rat bite fever" can lead to death, and has has a 10% mortality rate.
Symptoms of Rat Bite Fever (RBF) - Various symptoms and signs can be suffered by someone with "rat bite fever" (streptobacillary RBF) including things like:
- Vomiting
- Joint Pain or Swelling
- Swelling or Redness
- Rashes
- Fever
- Muscle Pain
- Headache
If you are unfortunate enough to receive a rat bite, carefully wash the wound, apply some antibiotic ointment, and bandage the affected area. You should head straight to your nearest A&E and get it checked out, even if you don't consider it to be that serious, or at the minimum arrange an appointment with your GP or doctor. If it is 5 years or more since you had your last vaccination for tetanus, you should get one of those done as well, because rat bites can easily become infected.
What Attracts Rats?
Regardless of their outwardly cute appearance, with their twitchy whiskers, pointy faces and fur covered bodies, mice and rats can be dangerous and are certainly not creatures that you want to be making a home in your house or garden in Littlehampton. Mice and rats can cause damage to your property by gnawing through insulation materials, electrical wires, wood and plastic, and are regularly to blame for fires and other problems. Between the two rats and mice can spread more than thirty forms of diseases including conditions like toxoplasmosis, trichinosis, listeria, Weil's disease, tularemia, rat bite fever, bubonic plague, salmonella and typhus. So, the primary things that attract mice and rats to your home or garden are:
- PET WASTE/COMPOST - Surprisingly piles of compost and even pet waste can be attractive to mice and rats - they'll find plenty of tasty morsels hiding in there!
- WATER - Rats and mice need to drink, subsequently sources of water like leaking pipes, birdbaths, dripping sprinkler systems and pet bowls are a big temptation for these unwelcome pests.
- CLUTTER - General clutter and jumble in an outbuilding, cellar or loft space will be especially attractive to rats and mice, particularly if there is a food source nearby.
- HOLES AND ENTRY POINTS - Mice and rats can crawl through the smallest of cracks and holes, so keep an eye out for spaces around pipes, crawl spaces, entrances and grills.
- RUBBISH/TRASH - An accumulation of garbage and garden rubbish piled up on your property (particularly in the garden) will unquestionably attract mice and rats.
- FOOD - Food that's left lying around or discarded is one of the primary attractions for rats and mice.
General Pest Control in Littlehampton
To maintain a pest-free environment and safeguard health and property, pest control is often necessary. The process involves managing and preventing pests that are commonly encountered, such as cockroaches, ants, flies, spiders and rats. Pest control measures that are known to help include regular inspections, proper waste management, maintaining cleanliness, sealing entry points, and using traps or insecticides when needed. The focus of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) techniques is on prioritising environmentally sensitive and sustainable approaches and minimising the use of unpleasant chemicals. Through the implementation of extensive pest control techniques, individuals in Littlehampton can create a living or working environment that is safer and healthier for themselves and those around them. (58324)
Summary
Having a problem with rats in Littlehampton is a situation that everyone dreads, and when you find yourself in this scenario, the temptation might be to try to resolve it on your own. By looking around hardware stores, supermarkets and shops in and around Littlehampton, it is relatively easy to buy rat traps, rat poisons and similar products.
Calling in an expert Littlehampton rat exterminator would however be a better option, unless you know exactly what you're up to, seeing that the correct solution isn't necessarily the most obvious one.
On account of the risks to pets and children, the rookie's use of rat toxins is not generally advised, and it's not always beneficial in any case. If you know what is better for you, always use a specialist rat control service in Littlehampton for a solution to your rat problems. (Tags: Rat Control Littlehampton, Rat Removal Littlehampton, Rat Exterminator Littlehampton)
Pest Control Near Littlehampton
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Pest Control Services Littlehampton
Littlehampton rat catchers can normally help you with rat extermination, dead animal removal Littlehampton, spray & fogging treatments Littlehampton, pest control Littlehampton, domestic rat control, commercial pest control, garden pest control Littlehampton, electronic pest control in Littlehampton, bird nest clearance, pest extermination, pest removal, mouse pest control Littlehampton, preventive pest control Littlehampton, wildlife management, residential pest control, ant pest control Littlehampton, guano clearance in Littlehampton, rat prevention, commercial rat control Littlehampton, bed bug pest control Littlehampton, ultrasonic pest control, rat infestations in Littlehampton, insect heat treatments, the removal of contaminated loft insulation, dead bird removal, rat catching in Littlehampton, emergency 24 hour pest control, pigeon control, wasp pest control Littlehampton, rat trapping and other pest control in Littlehampton, West Sussex. Listed are just a selection of the duties that are conducted by people specialising in pest control. Littlehampton contractors will keep you informed about their entire range of services.
Other Pests in Littlehampton: Also seek assistance with silverfish in Littlehampton, carpet beetles in Littlehampton, mice in Littlehampton, clothes moths in Littlehampton, hornets in Littlehampton, ants in Littlehampton, bees in Littlehampton, bedbugs in Littlehampton, pigeons in Littlehampton, wasps in Littlehampton, cockroaches in Littlehampton, rabbits in Littlehampton, fleas in Littlehampton, moles in Littlehampton West Sussex.
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