Meopham Rat Catchers (DA13): Although it isn't really a common problem in Meopham nowadays, householders do have troubles with rats every now and then. Spotting a rat in your home or garden is not a pleasant experience, and will be enough to cause some property owners the shakes. Single rats don't really cause very much of a problem, but of course rats tend to breed quickly and will start to cause issues as they grow in numbers.
If you happen to spot rats in Meopham, the probabilities are that they are going to be brown rats (Rattus Norvegicus), although there are in fact 2 sorts of rat currently found in the British Isles; black (or ship) rats and brown (or common) rats. As you may be aware ship rats were responsible for the Great Plague of the 17th Century at which time they were fairly common. Black rats are relatively scarce now but in fact neither species is native to Great Britain, both of them hailing from from Asia.
The black rat (Rattus Rattus) at 5 to 7" long, is not as big as the brown rat, which reaches a length of up to about 9" and weighs around 500g. Brown rats cause damage because they must constantly chew on stuff to prevent their teeth from growing too long. Their attention is commonly focused on stuff made out of timber.
Rats cause lots of problems in homes and businesses in Meopham and they spread disease, gnaw through pipes, wires, insulation and woodwork, leave droppings, and generally cause a nuisance. Sightings of rats ought to be reported to the local authority. In addition you can report problems with rats on the .gov website HERE.
It's not purely by sight that you will be alerted to the existence of rats, their habits are often quite enough to give warning. It's possible you may hear scratching noises coming from a loft, wall or floor, you could stumble upon a rat's nest in some concealed location, you might discover droppings in cupboards or on floor surfaces or you might come across holes gnawed in floorboards or skirtings.
If you do not wish to wait for environmental health to solve this rat infestation you can also speak to a local Meopham pest controller or rat catcher who'll be a specialist in the business of pest removal. Nowadays rat catchers generally come under the umbrella category of pest management, and pest control businesses don't only remove rats but additionally moles, mice, wasps, bedbugs, cockroaches, fleas and all manner of household and garden pests.
Problems With Mice in Meopham
Maybe considered by many people to be not so upsetting as rats, seeing mice inside your house can result in just as many concerns. Similar to rats, mice leave droppings, gnaw at stuff, breed rapidly, contaminate food and are typically an annoyance. The resolution to mouse infestations in Meopham are very similar to the ones employed for rats ie trapping and poisoning. Meopham rat catchers will also be willing to assist you with mice infestations, so get on the phone or pay a visit to BARK to get the problem resolved.
What Attracts Rats and Mice?
Although some folks in Meopham may think they're rather cute with their twitching whiskers, pointy faces and fur covered bodies, rats and mice are definitely not creatures that you want to be living in your house or garden, and they can even be dangerous. Rats and mice can cause damage to your house by gnawing through floorboards, electrical wires, plastic and plasterboard, and are regularly the cause of fires and other problems. More than thirty different types of disease are spread by rats and mice including things like bubonic plague, toxoplasmosis, Weil's disease, tularemia, trichinosis, listeria, salmonella, rat bite fever and typhus. So, listed here are just a few of the things that are going to attract rats and mice to your garden and home:
- ENTRY POINTS AND HOLES - Rats and mice can squeeze through the tiniest of holes, so watch out for gaps around vents, entrances, pipes and crawl spaces.
- FOOD - Food that's left lying around or discarded is perhaps the main attraction for rats and mice.
- WATER - Rats and mice need to drink like any other creature, which means that sources of water such as leaky pipes, pet bowls, seeping sprinkler systems and birdbaths are a big attraction for these unwanted pests.
- RUBBISH - An accumulation of trash and garden rubbish stacked up on your property (particularly in the garden) will certainly attract rodents.
- CLUTTER - General jumble and clutter in an outbuilding, cellar or attic will be especially attractive to rodents, especially if there is a source of food nearby.
- COMPOST/PET WASTE - Surprisingly heaps of compost and even pet waste can attract rats and mice - there will be a few tasty titbits hidden in there!
Ultrasonic Pest Control Meopham
Utilizing high-frequency sound waves to deter and repel pests, such as mice, rats, insects, and other critters, is the basis of ultrasonic pest control. The technology's mechanism is to emit sound waves that are above the human hearing range but within the audible range of pests. The sound waves generate an unpleasant and confusing atmosphere for pests, which complicates their navigation and communication with one another.
While ultrasonic pest control products are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, their effectiveness is subject to debate. 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. Depending on the pest species, treated area size, and environmental factors, the effectiveness of ultrasonic pest control may vary. As is the case with any pest control method, it is necessary to evaluate all possibilities and seek professional advice before making a choice. It is worth noting that ultrasonic pest control shouldn't be used as the sole method of pest control, as it is most effective when used in conjunction with other pest management strategies.
Rat Poison
One of the means by which to sort out a rat problem is to employ poison. A rat dies just a few days after eating poisoned bait, usually wheat grain. The placement of the poison bait is vital and will likely result in the success or failure of this process. Toxic substances that are utilized in making rat poison includes: brodifacoum, bromadioline or difenacoum. Dogs and cats may also be harmed by coming into contact with such rat poisons, so be mindful. Rat poison brands made in the United Kingdom include: Pest Expert, Elixir Gardens, Propest, Roshield, Rentokil and RatKil. (Tags: Rat Poison Meopham, Rat Poisons Meopham)
Species of Rat
There are only two kinds of rat that you could encounter in Meopham or in fact any place else in Britain. The Black Rat and the Brown Rat.
The Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus)
The brown rat (Norwegian Rat (Rattus Norvegicus), sewer rat, street rat or common rat) is the most commonly found rat in Great Britain and all over Continental Europe (also North America). The brown rat (it can sometimes be grey in colour) is ordinarily 4" to 9" long (without the tail) and weighs 140-500g. It always lives wherever people are living. This species was given the name Norway Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) since it was presumed to have arrived in the UK by boat from Norway. It's nowadays considered to have originated in Central Asia/China. Brown rats climb well and burrow a lot, they have poor eyesight but good hearing, the female rats can produce up to five litters a year, they will eat practically any foodstuffs (omnivores) but favour cereal grains.
The Black Rat (Ship Rat)
Originating from Southeast Asia (India) the black rat, ship rat or roof rat is also not native to Great Britain or Europe. Quite possibly traveling in shipments of spices for the Roman Empire, the black rat subsequently spread throughout Europe. The black rat was once common in Great Britain but was basically driven out by the brown rat and is now fairly uncommon. Growing to lengths of 5-7 inches, the black rat weighs only 75 to 230 grams. Black rats are known to spread various diseases, in particular bubonic plague, toxoplasmosis, Weil's disease, tularemia, trichinosis, listeria, salmonella, rat bite fever and typhus.
Problems With Moles
Rat catchers in Meopham are also sometimes called on to help with another issue, namely moles. Responsible for completely different issues to rats, moles are usually not quite so despised. Lawns and gardens are the main things at risk when you have a mole problem. Proof of their destructive activity can be plainly seen in the form of randomly scattered piles of earth on perfectly clipped lawns. Using traps is undoubtedly the most favourable and humane solution to get rid of moles.
Rat Bites
Although, in Great Britain, rat bites are not all that common, they certainly do happen every so often, and the effects can be serious in some situations. Without doubt, rats can bite humans if they feel cornered or scared, so in a confined space it is best to stay out of their way, and leave them an easy exit route.
Quite a few incidents of rat bites arise where rats are being kept as pets (really?), and ramming your hand in a rat's cage is chancing it. Although they aren't always serious, rat bites can become infected or be life threatening if they turn into "rat bite fever", consequently they should be avoided if possible. "Rat bite fever" (RBF), if left without treatment, can lead to death, and has has a 10% mortality rate.
Signs of Rat Bite Fever - The symptoms of "rat bite fever" can include:
- Rash
- Joint Pain or Swelling
- Headaches
- Fever
- Redness or Swelling
- Vomiting
- Muscle Pain
If you get bitten by a rat you should wash the wound promptly, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a clean gauze or bandage. Even if you don't feel that it is too major, you should get it checked out at your nearest A&E department, or make an appointment at your local surgery. If you have not had a tetanus jab in the last 5 years or so, you should also get one of these too.
Rat Sightings - Reporting
We mentioned this earlier, so here let's go into a bit more detail. The local authority Environmental Health Department is where you should report it if you spot rats in a neighbours garden, in your own garden or in a public space. Some local authorities provide a free service for rat problems but charges are normally made for most unwelcome pests such as cockroaches, wasps and bed bugs. Rat infestations can also be reported on the .gov website HERE. To have the issue taken care of quickly book a rat catcher HERE.
Rat Prevention Meopham
Dissuading rats before they even appear is certainly the most effective way to avoid having problems with them. So, rat prevention has to be something to look at even if you do not currently have a rat problem. Household waste cluttering up your garden is accepted as one of the major factors that cause rat and mouse infestations. You will just attract them if you supply them with both the place and materials to build a nest. When there's also plenty of food on offer those rats imagine they are in heaven, so be warned that traditional bird feeders can attract rats, in particular when they are liable to spillages, and domestic food scraps should also not be left lying around. (Tags: Rat Prevention, Rat Deterrents)
Coming Shortly:
Bird nest removal - article 132.
In Conclusion
Homeowners with a rat problem in Meopham are occasionally tempted to have a bash at solving it themselves. So, if you find yourself in this situation, what should you do? Rat poisons, rat traps and other products are readily accessible in shops, supermarkets and hardware stores in the Meopham area, so the stuff you need can be easily bought.
Retaining the services of a professional Meopham rat exterminator would however be preferable, unless you know exactly what you are doing, because the correct approach isn't always the most obvious one.
The rookie's use of rat toxins will likely cause more problems than it solves, since you have to be extremely vigilant with them if children and pets are about. If you know what is better for you, use a professional rat control service in Meopham for resolving your rat problems.
Pest Control Services Meopham
Meopham rat catchers will likely help with pest control services, domestic rat control, the removal of contaminated loft insulation, the installation of pheromone stations (for moth entrapment), household pest control in Meopham, ingress pest solutions, pest extermination, rat trapping, powder treatments Meopham, rat baits, rat extermination in Meopham, bird dropping removal, rat infestations, bird nest clearance Meopham, rat catching in Meopham, wasp pest control Meopham, residential pest control, bird proofing, pest netting, rat poison, commercial pest control in Meopham, commercial rat control Meopham, rat removal services, mouse pest control Meopham, ant control in Meopham, bed bug heat treatments Meopham, pigeon control in Meopham, wildlife management in Meopham, environmental pest control Meopham, professional control of pests and other pest control in Meopham, Kent. Listed are just a selection of the tasks that are conducted by people specialising in pest control. Meopham specialists will be happy to tell you about their whole range of pest control services.
Pest Control Near Meopham
Also find: Shorne pest control, Stanstead pest control, Upper Halling pest control, Longfield pest control, Istead Rise pest control, Cuxton pest control, Luddesdown pest control, Vigo pest control, Trottiscliffe pest control, Higham pest control, Horton Kirby rat catchers and more. Most of these locations are serviced by local pest control. Meopham householders can get quotations by clicking here.
Other Pests in Meopham: Also professional help with bees in Meopham, rabbits in Meopham, clothes moths in Meopham, bedbugs in Meopham, moles in Meopham, carpet beetles in Meopham, silverfish in Meopham, fleas in Meopham, ants in Meopham, wasps in Meopham, mice in Meopham, cockroaches in Meopham, pigeons in Meopham, hornets in Meopham Kent.
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