Potters Bar Rat Catchers (EN6): While it's not so commonplace at present, finding a rat in your home or garden in Potters Bar isn't a pleasing thing to experience. One single rat sighting shouldn't be too much of an issue, however, if you see rats more frequently or see more than one you may be in for trouble as they tend to breed so fast.
There are two species of rat which you might encounter in Potters Bar, black rats and brown (or common) rats. It's relatively unlikely that you will ever see a black rat, and if you've spotted a rat fairly recently the chances are it'll have been the more widespread brown rat (Rattus Norvegicus). Black rats (ship rats) were at one time common and were the cause of the Great Plague, they are pretty rare nowadays, however where they do exist they have good hearing, are superb climbers, and can produce between 20 and 100 offspring in just one year.
The black rat at 5 to 7" long, is a bit smaller than the common brown rat, which attains a length of up to about 9 inches and weighs around 500g. To wear down their constantly growing incisor teetn, common brown rats need to keep gnawing at things, which is why they cause such a lot of damage. Rats especially prefer to gnaw on wood.
Rats cause many issues in homes and businesses in Potters Bar and they gnaw their way through woodwork, wires, insulation and pipes, transmit disease, leave droppings, and are generally troublesome. The local authorities should really be advised whenever rats are spotted. Or alternatively post a report recording pest and rat sightings on the .gov website HERE, which is passed onto your local authority.
It's not purely by sight that you'll become aware of the presence of rats, their behaviour is oftentimes quite enough to enlighten you. Perhaps you could encounter rat holes gnawed in skirting boards or floorboards, you might come upon a rat's nest in some out of sight location, you may hear scratching coming from a floor, loft or wall or you could discover droppings in cupboards or on floor surfaces.
If you do not wish to wait around for the local authorities to take care of your rat issues you could also get in touch with local Potters Bar pest controller or rat catcher who will be knowledgeable in the art of pest removal. In these modern times rat catchers normally fall into the category of pest control, and pest control companies not only deal with rats but also bedbugs, fleas, moles, cockroaches, mice, wasps and all kinds of household and garden pests.
Rat Bite Wounds
Although, in the United Kingdom, bites from rats aren't that common, they certainly do happen every so often, and the effects can be serious in some scenarios. When cornered or pressured, rats can attack and bite, so if you encounter one in a confined space, it's best to leave it an exit route so it can easily escape.
You would think that folks would be wary of placing their hand inside a rat's cage, yet as rats are frequently kept as pets, this is an increasing cause of rat bites. Rat bites are not necessarily serious, but should be avoided where possible, and they can turn nasty or even life threatening if they turn into "rat bite fever". If it's not treated quickly "rat bite fever" can lead to death in 10% of cases.
Symptoms of Rat Bite Fever (RBF) - The symptoms and signs of "rat bite fever" (streptobacillary RBF) can include:
- Joint Pain
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Muscle Pain
- Rash
- Headaches
- Swelling or Redness
If you are unlucky enough to be bitten by a rat, carefully wash the wound, apply some antibiotic ointment, and cover the affected area with a bandage. You must make an emergency appointment with your GP, or head to the closest A&E department, even if you feel it isn't that major. If you have not been vaccinated against tetanus in the last 5 years or so, you should also ask for of these.
Rat Poisons
A more distasteful way to eradicate rats is by laying poison. This is normally implemented by carefully positioning a bait laced with poison, that's subsequently eaten by a rat resulting in death several days later. A substantial gathering of rats can soon be eliminated by this approach so long as the bait is placed correctly. Typically brodifacoum, bromadioline or difenacoum are the poisons used. Pets and birds could also be killed by coming into contact with these rat poisons, so be careful. Brands of rat poison in Great Britain include: Propest, Rentokil, Roshield, Pest Expert, RatKil and Elixir Gardens.
Molecatchers in Potters Bar
Potters Bar rat catchers are also often brought in to help with another problem, namely moles. Moles can cause trouble in another way to to rats and are not quite so disliked. Gardens and lawns are mainly vulnerable when you've got a mole problem. The sight of piles of earth in the middle of a nicely manicured lawn are clear evidence of mole activity. The favoured and most humane strategy to get rid of moles is by trapping.
Ultrasonic Pest Control
Using high-frequency sound waves to deter and repel pests, including mice, rats, insects, and other critters, is what ultrasonic pest control is all about. The technology uses sound waves that are beyond the range of human hearing, yet audible to pests, to operate. The waves create a disorienting and uncomfortable atmosphere for pests, which challenges their navigation and communication abilities.
The efficacy of ultrasonic pest control gadgets is debatable, despite their affordability and ease of use. The impact of these devices on pest control is disputed due to varying results in studies, with some demonstrating successful repulsion for certain pests while others indicating virtually no effect. The efficiency of ultrasonic pest control is subject to variation based on factors like pest type, area size, and environmental conditions. Before making a decision, it is vital to weigh all options and seek the advice of an expert, as with any pest control 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.
Reporting Rats and Pests
We're going to go into a little more detail here, even though this topic was mentioned further up the page. The Environmental Health is the place to report it should you discover rats in a public place, in your own garden or in a neighbours garden. With regards to rats this is often a cost-free service, although you will frequently be asked to pay for other infestations like wasps, bed bugs and cockroaches. You can visit the .gov website HERE to report rat sightings. Click HERE to book your local rat catcher and get the situation sorted without delay.
Kinds of Rat
You'll only ever encounter two types of rat in Potters Bar and anywhere in the United Kingdom. The Black Rat (Rattus Rattus) and the Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus).
The Brown Rat
The most common species of rat seen in Great Britain, and in fact the rest of Europe, is the brown rat (Norwegian Rat (Rattus Norvegicus), sewer rat, street rat or common rat). This grey or brown coloured rat attains lengths of 4-9" (plus tail) and weights 140-500g. Even though once considered to have originated from Norway (hence its name), the brown rat is now understood to have come from China/Central Asia. Brown rats have poor eyesight but good hearing, they burrow extensively and climb well, they're omnivores but prefer cereal grains, the females will produce five litters of as many as 14 young every year.
The Black Rat (Ship Rat)
The black rat, roof rat or ship rat is also not a native of the British Isles, originating from India. Very likely traveling in spice shipments at the height of the Roman Empire, the black rat then spread through Europe. The black rat was once a common sight in the United Kingdom but was largely driven out by the brown rat and is now not often found. Weighing only 75-230g, the black rat reaches a length of about 5-7 inches. Well known for causing Weil's disease, salmonella, toxoplasmosis, trichinosis, listeria, rat bite fever, bubonic plague, typhus and tularemia, black rats are prolific spreaders of pathogens and disease.
Checking for Rats
There are a few ways by which you can find out when you've got rats. When you have a notion that there may be rats in your home or business you should watch for rub marks on skirtings and walls where greasy fur has left marks, keep your eyes peeled for rat droppings, they look much like large grains of rice and are dark brown, be on the lookout for burrows or holes near to solid surfaces, hunt for signs of footprints or tail trails on loose soil or in dusty areas, pay attention to gnaw marks in cables, wires and wood, particularly in attics, listen for constant scratching noises coming from walls and lofts, in particular at night.
Coming Shortly:
Bird nest removal - article 132.
In Conclusion
Homeowners with rat problems in Potters Bar are often tempted to have a shot at resolving it for themselves. So, if this happens to you, what should you do? By looking around hardware stores, supermarkets and shops in and around Potters Bar, it is relatively simple to buy rat poisons, rat traps and other similar solutions.
Bringing in a specialist Potters Bar rat exterminator would however be a better option, unless of course you know exactly what you're doing, seeing that the right solution isn't always the most obvious one.
Due to the risks to pets and children, the novice's use of rat poison isn't encouraged, and is often not effective in any case. If you know what is better for you, always bring in a specialist rat control service in Potters Bar for resolving your rat problems.
Other Pests in Potters Bar: Also specialist help with cockroaches in Potters Bar, wasps in Potters Bar, pigeons in Potters Bar, silverfish in Potters Bar, bees in Potters Bar, bedbugs in Potters Bar, clothes moths in Potters Bar, fleas in Potters Bar, rabbits in Potters Bar, carpet beetles in Potters Bar, mice in Potters Bar, hornets in Potters Bar, moles in Potters Bar, ants in Potters Bar Hertfordshire.
Pest Control Near Potters Bar
Also find: Water End pest control, Northaw pest control, Hadley Wood pest control, New Barnet pest control, South Mimms pest control, Gordon Hill pest control, Ganwick Corner pest control, Cockfosters pest control, Monken Hadley pest control, Kitts End pest control, High Barnet rat catchers and more. The majority of these areas are served by local pest control. Potters Bar home and business owners can get pest control price quotes by clicking here.
Pest Control Services Potters Bar
Potters Bar rat catchers can normally help you with squirrel control in Potters Bar, emergency 24 hour pest control Potters Bar, dead bird removal, rat deterrents, wildlife management, residential pest control Potters Bar, wasp nest removal Potters Bar, the installation of pheromone stations, bed bugs pest control in Potters Bar, ant control, pest control for fleas, wasp pest control Potters Bar, pest extermination, preventive pest control Potters Bar, rat poison, bed bug heat treatments, rat infestations, powder treatments (for wasps nest), bird proofing services, household pest control, bird nest clearing, domestic rat control Potters Bar, mouse control, rat baits Potters Bar, pest control, guano clearing, ultrasonic pest control Potters Bar, dead animal removal Potters Bar, the removal of contaminated loft insulation, restaurant pest control Potters Bar and other pest control in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. These are just a small portion of the tasks that are conducted by those installing pest control. Potters Bar professionals will be happy to tell you about their full range of pest control services.
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