Signs of a Rats Infestation
- Droppings – this is the most common tell tale sign you have a rodent infestation. Rat droppings are typically bullet shaped. It is common to see many droppings as a rat can leave behind them up to 40 droppings a day.
- Smear Marks – as rats have poor sight, they will establish a common route in your home or work. This route is usually along walls and skirting boards. The marks left by rats are dark smears from the dirt and grease from their coat. Smear marks are an indicator of a heavy rat infestation.
- Noises – as rats are great climbers and can gain entry easily, they may enter your home and take shelter in a roof void or loft. You may hear rats scratching from above, particularly at night when your home is quiet. You may also be able to hear the noise of rats gnawing at cables, wires, insulation etc in your home.
- Odour – if you are experiencing a musky, unwelcome smell in your home or workplace it may mean there are rats present. A rat infestation will give off this odour both when the rats are alive and dead.
If you have a rodent in your home, it is strongly recommended to avoid using DIY methods of removal and to call a professional pest control expert to help you with your problem, as many over the counter shop bought solutions such as rat poison can easily contaminate food and food preparation surfaces if deployed incorrectly.
Treatment
- One of our fully trained and licensed technicians will call out to your premises and inspect the area for rodent activity.
- If rodent activity is present, we will then put down tamperproof bait stations with rodenticide in concealed areas, out of reach of children and pets.
Prevention Proofing
What we want to do is to prevent rats from having the access to gain entry into our homes or buildings. Here are Central Pest Control’s top tips to rat proof your environment.
- Seal – We recommend you seal any possible entry points for a rodent as they will gnaw these gaps and make them larger. These will be in areas such as in walls, ESB/ cable boxes, and gaps under your doors.
- Roof Areas – Any roof damage should be repaired as rats can climb along gutters and pipes and can gain access to your home or workplace through gaps in the eaves.
- Clear – Keeping garden areas and surroundings tidy is a must as leaves and vegetation provide ideal nesting spots for rats.
