Rat Extermination & Control
If you think you have a rat infestation in your home or business and you need pest control in North London – specifically Haringey, Enfield, Palmers Green and Winchmore Hill
Rats! Say No to Unwanted Guests
Do you have a rat problem in you home or business? At Sparta we understand you might feel frustrated, anxious or even embarrassed.
But fear not, you are not alone. Many people and businesses face this issue and we are here to help.
Rats are persistent animals and once they gain access to your property, they can spread bacteria, diseases and cause a lot of damage.
Sparta Pest Control can ensure that these pests will not bother you again.
Why Should You Think About Rat Extermination?
There are a few issues to consider if you discover rat infestation:
- Contamination of food – Pathogens found in rat droppings and urine can lead to the spread of dangerous diseases such as Leptospirosis, commonly known as Weil’s Disease and Salmonellosis.
- Property damage – Rats gnaw at a range of items found in homes and business, some of which can cause safety issues such as increased risk of fire & flood from chewing through wires and pipes.
- Peace of mind - In addition to the health risks, the sounds of rats running around your home can impact on your emotional well being.
- Reputation – If customers notice that you have a rat infestation, it will heavily impact on your business.
Legal Obligation
Property owners have a legal obligation under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 to keep premises rodent free or to report infestations to the local authority. And aside from the reputational costs, there are also fines for businesses found to have a pest problem.
These usually come at a significant expense and repeat offenders are in danger of facing legal action. Environmental Health Officers can issue enforcement notices to business owners who don’t have adequate pest management procedures in place. This is a reason why ensuring you have a rat extermination plan in place is vital to safeguard your business.
Types of Rat In The UK
In the UK there are two species of rat in Britain, the most common of which is Rattus Norvegicus, otherwise known as the Brown rat or Sewer rat .
The other is Rattus Rattus, commonly referred to as the Black Rat or Ship Rat, which is less common these days. When it comes to mating, rats are champion breeders. If environmental conditions are right, a female rat can reproduce every six weeks with litters consisting of 6-8 offspring. Each part of the cycle takes 21 days on average.
This means that a pair of brown rats could potentially produce as many as 200 babies and 2,000 descendants in just one year, maybe more.
Location and Habitat
The brown rat will always set up in a location that provides food, water and shelter. In homes this is likely to be in behind kitchen plinths, loft spaces, wall cavities or under floorboards.
In gardens, they will burrow into grass, soil or under sheds and garages. Rat holes beside solid structures are sure signs of a nest. Brown rats are also often found living in sewer systems.
Rats have the ability to jump around three feet into the air, four feet horizontally and can fall from a height of up to 50 feet without getting injured.
They are also incredible climbers; brick walls, telephone poles, even legs! They are powerful swimmers and can tread water for up to 72 hours, and also able to hold their breath underwater for up to three minutes.
How Do You Know if You Have a Rat Problem?
Although you may not have seen any rats, you may have heard scratching noises or found some droppings, which are dark brown and pellet-shaped, (check out our droppings identification guide). There may also be greasy rub marks on smooth surfaces, rat holes where they have created shelter, rat nests made from soft materials or footprints in dusty areas.
Their urine can also leave a strong scent, which people have described as being ammonia like or the smell of damp. You may experience a leaking toilet pipe where rats have travelled through the sewer system and up into your toilet.
With renovations and kitchen extensions , too often voids can be left behind , allowing rats to access these areas through uncapped drainage pipes that lead straight beneath the kitchen area. Rats are mainly active at night so it’s possible that you may never actually see but only hear them.
Our Promise to You
Our Approach for Rats Pest Control
- Survey - We’ll always start with a survey using the principles of our IPM approach, identifying external areas surrounding your premises or home that are likely to attract rats.
- Trapping - The responsible use of trapping to catch brown rats. This avoids rats dying in areas such as floorboards and wall cavities, where they can’t be retrieved and removed. This is also in keeping with our eco friendly commitment to reducing the use of chemicals where possible in pest control.
- Proofing - Identifying entry points into the property and taking the responsible steps to seal access points into your home and business.
- Post -Treatment Sanitising - Removing all the unwanted pathogens and foul odours left behind through rat droppings and urine.
What Sparta Pest Control Offer for Rat Pest Treatment:
Identifying the external and internal factors that are likely to attract rats to your home and business.
What foods and conditions are likely to encourage rat problems.
How rats are accessing your property.
Treatment and proofing of entrance points with rodent mesh and drain guards.
The responsible use of trapping to remove the problem from your home. At times we may need to use chemicals.
When necessary, recommend the expertise of a Drainage Specialist.
Pest Control Services for North London, Enfield, Haringey, Winchmore Hill and Palmers Green
Services for a Healthy Home and Workplace
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