Pest Control Orpington

There are 2 sorts of rat that you may encounter in Orpington, black rats and brown (or common) rats. It's rather unlikely that you'll ever see a black rat, and if you have stumbled upon a rat fairly recently its likely to have been one of the more commonplace brown rats (Rattus Norvegicus). Black rats (ship rats) were once common and were the cause of the Great Plague during the 17th Century, they are quite scarce now, though where they do exist they've got good hearing, are terrific climbers, and can give birth to between twenty and one hundred baby rats each year.

The brown rat is bigger than the black rat (Rattus Rattus) and may weigh nearly half a kilogram, with a length of about 9 inches. Brown rats often cause destruction because they must continually chew on things to stop their teeth from getting too long. Wooden items are particularly vulnerable to this interest.

Rats can cause various kinds of problems in businesses and homes throughout Orpington and they transmit diseases, gnaw through pipes, insulation, woodwork and wires, leave behind droppings, and generally cause a nuisance. The local council should be notified whenever rats are causing problems. Or alternatively head HERE to report incidences of rats and other pest problems on the .gov website online.

You don't have to physically see rats to know of that they are there, due to the fact that there are a lot of signs which may alert you to their presence. Its possible you may hear noises coming from a wall, loft or floor, you may discover droppings in cupboards or on floors, you might come upon a rat's nest hidden away or you might encounter distinctive rat holes gnawed into skirtings or floorboards.

In order to have this situation resolved correctly you must speak to a professional. You could either get in touch with your local authority or get hold of a professional Orpington pest controller or rat catcher yourself. There aren't very many people nowadays who specialize only in issues with rats, you can also call them if you've got moles causing damage to your lawn or maybe a wasps nest in your loft space.

What Attracts Rats?

With their pointy faces, fur covered bodies and twitchy whiskers, some folk may find mice and rats to be cute, however they're certainly not the kind of animals that you want living in your house or garden in Orpington, and can be more dangerous than you may suppose. Rats and mice have been known to cause fires and other issues in homes and business premises in Orpington by nibbling through plasterboard, skirting boards, plastic and electric cables. Between them rats and mice can spread more than thirty forms of diseases including conditions like Weil's disease, tularemia, toxoplasmosis, typhus, trichinosis, bubonic plague, salmonella, listeria and rat bite fever. A variety of different things will attract rats and mice to your home and garden including:

• COMPOST/PET WASTE - Surprisingly piles of compost and even pet waste can attract mice and rats - there are a few tasty titbits hiding in there!
• FOOD - Food that's left discarded or lying around is perhaps the main attraction for rats and mice.
• WATER - Constantly busy mice and rats need to drink like any other living creature, subsequently sources of water like birdbaths, seeping sprinkler systems, pet water bowls and leaking pipes are a big enticement for these unwanted pests.
• HOLES AND ENTRY POINTS - Rats and mice can squeeze through the tiniest of cracks and holes, so be on the lookout for spaces around crawl spaces, grills, entrances and pipework.
• CLUTTER - General clutter in shed, cellar or loft will be particularly attractive to rats and mice, particularly if there is a source of food nearby.
• RUBBISH - Accumulations of trash and garden waste heaped up on your property (especially in the garden) will clearly attract mice and rats.

Rat Bites

While rat bites are not all that commonplace in Orpington, they do occur on occasion and they can be dangerous in certain scenarios. Rats can bite humans when they feel stressed or cornered, so in a confined space it's advisable to stay well out of their way, or leave them an easy exit route.

You would think that folks would be wary of pushing their hand in a rat's cage, but as rats are frequently kept as pets (really?), this is an increasing cause of rat bites. Rat bites are not always dangerous, though should be avoided if possible, and they can turn nasty or even life threatening if they turn into "rat bite fever". "Rat bite fever" (RBF) has a 10% mortality rate, if it is left without treatment.

Signs of Rat Bite Fever (RBF) - "Rat bite fever" can have a number of symptoms, including:

• A Rash
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Joint Pain
• Muscle Pain
• Redness or Swelling

If you are unlucky enough to get bitten by a rat, thoroughly wash the wound in warm water, put on some antibiotic cream, and bandage the affected area. You should make an emergency appointment with your doctor, or head to the nearest A&E, even if you feel it isn't that serious. Getting a tetanus vaccination is also advisable, particularly if it is more than 5 years since your last one.

Diseases Spread by Rats

Rats are known to spread a variety of diseases to humans, primarily through contact with their saliva, faeces and urine. Hantavirus, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever are diseases that rats have the ability to pass on to humans.

Rat-bite fever, a bacterial infection, is capable of causing rashes, vomiting and fever through a rat scratch or bite. Hantavirus can cause a severe respiratory illness that can be fatal. The bacterial infection salmonellosis causes abdominal cramps, diarrhea and fever. Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection capable of causing symptoms similar to those of the flu, can result in the failure of the kidneys and liver.

It is important to take steps to control and prevent rat infestations in order to reduce the risk of these diseases. Additional diseases, such as Lyme disease and typhus, can be transmitted to humans by ticks and fleas that are carried by rats. Effective rat control measures, including proper sanitation and rodent-proofing, can aid in the reduction and prevention of the transmission of these diseases and potential rat infestations.

Rat Poison

Poisoning is perhaps one of the more horrible methods by which to get rid of rats. Wholewheat grains are laced with a poisoned compound and strategically left for rats to consume, it takes only a few days for them to die. The placement of the rat poison is important and will likely result in the failure or success of this process. Poisonous components that are used in making rat poison includes: bromadioline, difenacoum or brodifacoum. You must be careful to keep these poisons out of reach of pets. Brands of rat poison in Great Britain include: Propest, Elixir Gardens, Roshield, Pest Expert, Rentokil and RatKil.

Rat Burrows

Something which rats love to do is burrow and dig, and the location that they most like to dig is at the side of solid objects or structures like garages, terraces, paths and shed bases. Useful for food storage, a nesting place and shelter, rat burrows are excavated into substantial systems which can even cause damage to structures if allowed to continue. A sure sign of a rat burrow is usually a hole with smooth sides adjacent to a solid surface, where the movement of furry critters have polished the entrance hole. Should you notice holes but are not positive that they are rats, they will normally be around two to four inches in diameter. You can find out if rats are still using it by partially blocking up the entrance hole to ascertain if they come back and clear it away.

General Pest Control in Orpington

Pest control is crucial for preventing pest infestations and the damage they can cause. The process involves managing and preventing pests that are commonly encountered, such as ants, rats, spiders, flies and cockroaches. Pest control measures that are known to help include routine inspections, maintaining cleanliness, proper waste management, sealing potential entry points, and employing traps or insecticides when needed. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques place emphasis on sustainable and environmentally sensitive approaches, aiming to reduce chemical usage. By implementing extensive pest control practices, individuals in Orpington can create a safer and healthier working or living environment for themselves and those around them. These strategies don't just sort out existing issues with pests but also act as a proactive defense against potential infestations, ensuring long-term pest-free surroundings. (33117 - General Pest Control Orpington)

In Conclusion

Householders with a rat problem in Orpington are sometimes tempted to have a bash at resolving it for themselves. So, if this happens to you, what ought you to do? By looking around hardware stores, supermarkets and shops in and around Orpington, it is relatively easy to obtain rat traps, rat poisons and other similar solutions.

Bringing in a competent Orpington rat exterminator would however be a better option, unless of course you know precisely what you're doing, as the correct procedure is not always the most obvious one.

The novice's use of rat toxins will likely do more harm than good, because you must be exceptionally cautious with them especially when children and pets are around. If in doubt, call in the professionals for your rat control in Orpington. (Tags: Rat Exterminators Orpington, Rat Removal Orpington, Rat Control Orpington)

Pest Control Services Orpington

Orpington rat catchers can usually help with domestic rat control, rat infestations, wildlife management Orpington, garden pest control Orpington, ultrasonic pest control in Orpington, rat poison Orpington, commercial rat control Orpington, residential pest control Orpington, anti-bird spike installation, rodent control, bird pest control Orpington, domestic pest control, bed bugs pest control Orpington, rat proofing, pest netting, electronic pest control, pest control for fleas in Orpington, preventive pest control Orpington, dead bird removal in Orpington, rat extermination Orpington, environmental pest control Orpington, bed bug heat treatments, cockroach control, rat baits, the removal of contaminated loft insulation in Orpington, bird nest removal, powder treatments in Orpington, guano clearing in Orpington, squirrel pest control and other pest control in Orpington, Greater London. Listed are just a few of the duties that are handled by those specialising in pest control. Orpington providers will let you know their full range of services.

Other Pests in Orpington: Also professional help with ants in Orpington, carpet beetles in Orpington, pigeons in Orpington, bees in Orpington, cockroaches in Orpington, bedbugs in Orpington, mice in Orpington, silverfish in Orpington, rabbits in Orpington, clothes moths in Orpington, wasps in Orpington, fleas in Orpington, hornets in Orpington, moles in Orpington Greater London.

Pest Control Near Orpington

Also find: St Pauls Cray rat catchers, Pratts Bottom rat catchers, Locksbottom rat catchers, Chelsfield rat catchers, Green Street Green rat catchers, Farningham rat catchers, St Mary Cray rat catchers, Crockenhill rat catchers, Chislehurst rat catchers, Eynsford rat catchers, Well Hill rat catchers, Keston rat catchers and more. Companies who do pest control can be found in almost all of these areas. These experienced professionals bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the table, ensuring they tackle your rodent issue effectively and efficiently. For handling either a large infestation or a single rat, these pest control specialists have the essential skills and tools to resolve the issue swiftly. Local property owners can obtain pest control quotes by simply clicking here.

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