North Petherton Rat Catchers (TA6): Whilst it is not so common these days, seeing a rat in your garden or house in North Petherton isn't really a pleasing thing to experience. Just one rat sighting shouldn't be that much of a problem, however, if you witness rats more often or spot more than one rat you might be in trouble since they tend to reproduce so rapidly.
If you see rats in North Petherton, the chances are that they're going to be common brown rats, even though there are actually 2 kinds of rats currently living in Great Britain; brown (common rats) and black (or ship rats). As you might be aware black rats were responsible for the spread of the Great Plague (17th C) and at that time they were extremely widespread. Black rats are quite rare nowadays and in fact neither type is a native of Great Britain, both originally from from Asia.

The brown rat is usually larger than the black rat weighing in at 500g and reaching lengths of about nine inches. To wear down their continually growing teeth, brown rats need to keep on gnawing at stuff, and that's why they are responsible for such a lot of damage. Their interest is oftentimes targeting things made from timber.
Rats spread disease, leave droppings, gnaw through insulation, wires, pipes and woodwork, and are basically problematic in businesses and homes in and around North Petherton. Any sightings of rats ought to be reported to the local authorities. Or even post a report recording sightings of rats and other pest problems on the .gov website HERE, that will be passed onto your local authority.

You'll oftentimes be alerted to the presence of rats not actually by observing them, but by them indicating their existence in other ways. It is possible you may hear scratching coming from a loft, floor or wall, you may discover droppings in cupboards or on floors, you could observe holes gnawed into floorboards or skirtings or you could come upon a rat's nest in some concealed location.
If you're going to have this situation remedied effectively you might want to get an expert. You could either get in touch with your local authorities or hire the services of a specialist North Petherton rat catcher or pest controller for yourself. In centuries past, rat catchers used to be precisely that, but currently they are labeled pest control experts and will not only be happy to help with getting rid of rats but also wasps, cockroaches, mice, ants, moles and many more.
Types of Rat
You're only likely to encounter two kinds of rat in North Petherton, Somerset and throughout the British Isles. The Black Rat and the Brown Rat.
The Brown Rat
The brown rat (street rat, sewer rat, Norwegian Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) or common rat) is the most frequently seen rat in Britain and throughout Europe (also North America). This brown or grey coloured rodent grows to lengths of 4-9 inches (plus tail) and weighs in at 140 - 500 grammes. It was given the name Rattus Norvegicus (Norway Rat) as it was assumed to have spread to Britain by ships from Norway. It's nowadays thought to have originated from China or Central Asia. Brown rats are omniverous (consume pretty much anything) though their favourite is cereals and grains, they have an acute sense of hearing but poor eyesight, the females reach sexual maturity in only five weeks and may have 5 litters every year (with as many as 14 pups in each), they climb well and burrow a lot.
The Black Rat (Rattus Rattus)
The black rat, ship rat or roof rat is also not a native of Britain, originally coming from Southeast Asia (most likely India). It's regarded as having spread to Europe in Roman times, quite possibly traveling in cargoes of spice. Quite rare now in the United Kingdom, the black rat was largely replaced by the larger brown rat. Growing to a length of five to seven inches, the black rat weighs only 75g to 230g. Black rats have a reputation for spreading various diseases, most notably salmonella, rat bite fever, toxoplasmosis, typhus, bubonic plague, listeria, trichinosis, tularemia and Weil's disease.
Signs of Rat Infestations
There are various ways by which you can find out if you've got rats. When you have some suspicions that there could be rats in your business or home you could pay attention to gnawing in wood, cables and wires, especially in lofts, keep an eye out for faeces (droppings), they are dark brown in colour and look similar to large grains of rice, look out for burrows or tunnels alongside solid surfaces, listen closely for continual scratching noises emanating from rooves and walls, particularly during the night, watch for rub marks on skirting boards and walls where greasy fur has left marks, hunt for signs of tail trails or footprints in dusty areas or on loose soil.
What Attracts Mice and Rats?
In spite of their seemingly cute appearance, with their twitchy whiskers, pointy faces and furry bodies, rats and mice can be dangerous and are certainly not animals that you want to be making a home in your house or garden in North Petherton. Mice and rats are known to cause fires and other accidents around the home by gnawing through electric wires, plasterboard, plastic and wood. More than thirty different kinds of disease are spread by rats and mice including salmonella, rat bite fever, toxoplasmosis, typhus, bubonic plague, listeria, trichinosis, tularemia and Weil's disease. So, the primary things that attract rats and mice to your garden or home are:
- FOOD - Food left discarded or lying around is one of the principal attractions for mice and rats.
- WATER - Mice and rats need to drink like any other creature, consequently water sources such as birdbaths, leaky pipes, dripping sprinkler systems and pet water bowls are a big temptation for these unwelcome pests.
- HOLES AND ENTRY POINTS - Rats and mice can crawl through the smallest of cracks and holes, so be on the lookout for gaps around entrances, crawl spaces, roof vents and piping.
- RUBBISH - An accumulation of trash and garden waste stacked up on your property (especially in the garden) will certainly attract rodents.
- PET WASTE/COMPOST - Remarkably compost heaps and even pet waste can be attractive to mice and rats - they'll find a few tasty morsels hiding in there!
- CLUTTER - General clutter and jumble in an attic, shed or basement will be particularly attractive to rodents, particularly if there's a source of food close by.
Mouse Problems North Petherton
While not so disconcerting as finding rats in your house or garden, having mice could be just as much of a concern. Mice, just like rats, contaminate food, gnaw at stuff, breed rapidly and leave droppings. The resolution to mouse infestations in North Petherton are very similar to the ones used for rats ie poisoning and setting traps. When you have an infestation of mice, North Petherton rat catchers should be glad to help take care of this problem. Head over to BARK and get a pest control expert in your area.
General Pest Control in North Petherton
Pest control is vital for protecting your health and property. In the process, one must prevent and manage common pests such as cockroaches, ants, rats, spiders and flies. Pest control measures that are known to help include routine inspections, correct waste management, maintaining cleanliness, sealing potential entry points, and utilising traps or insecticides when needed. Minimising the use of harsh chemicals is a key objective of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, which emphasise environmentally friendly and sustainable approaches. The implementation of wide-ranging pest control techniques empowers individuals in North Petherton to establish a living or working environment that is safer and healthier for themselves and those around them. These strategies not only address existing pest issues but also provide a proactive defense against future infestations, ensuring pest-free surroundings in the long term. (43285)
To Summarise
Homeowners with rat problems in North Petherton are occasionally tempted to have a bash at solving it themselves. Therefore, if this happens to you, what should you do? Rat poisons, rat traps and similar products are readily accessible in supermarkets, hardware stores and shops in the North Petherton area, so the things you need can be easily purchased.

Calling in an experienced North Petherton rat exterminator would however be a better idea, unless you know exactly what you're up to, because the right approach isn't necessarily the obvious one.
Normally the amateur use of rat toxins is simply not that successful, and may even do more harm than good - do you really want to risk doing harm to your children and pets? When in doubt, call in the professionals for rat control needs in North Petherton.
Pest Control Near North Petherton
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