Rats

Rats are a hazard to public health. They can transmit a number of diseases, which can be potentially fatal to man such as Weil's disease and murine typhus. They also carry disease organisms such as salmonella bacteria, viruses and parasites such as worms and fleas.

In an urban environment rats readily find food from a variety of sources such as refuse from commercial kitchens and restaurants, in addition to food waste obtained from scavenging in domestic refuse or in drains and sewers.

Rats will burrow, especially into soil, compost heaps, under coverings such as paved areas and under sheds. Gas and water pipes are also at risk and rat burrowing can undermine building foundations. They can be frequently found living inside buildings in the cavity between walls and in roof spaces, or beneath piles of rubbish, near water, or in drains and sewers. Due to their agility and ability to squeeze through small openings it is sometimes difficult to keep rats out of buildings without some form of rodent proofing being carried out.

Rats continually gnaw they have very hard front teeth which can penetrate materials such as concrete, lead and aluminium. This can result in expensive damage and even fires when electric cables are damaged.

Rats can breed quickly; a healthy female can produce five litters a year each of 8 - 10 young with offspring attaining sexual maturity in 8 - 12 weeks. At any time as many as 30% of females in a population may be pregnant.

It is quite easy for infestations to build up without ever noticing a rat - their nocturnal habit tends to keep them away from the human contact. If a rat is seen during the day, it is usually an indicator of a sizeable infestation. Signs of infestation are droppings, gnaw marks, runs and smear marks produced by the continual rubbing of their fur against surfaces.

How To Prevent Infestations

• Ensure that all defective drainage to your home is promptly repaired, such as broken drainpipes, and drainage chamber covers
• Ensure your bin is emptied regularly, spillages and that refuse is not allowed to accumulate in the yard or garden
• Seal structural defects in the house to prevent rats gaining access to your home
• Place food intended for garden birds on a bird table or feeder, do not place food scraps directly on the ground

Removing easily accessible food and eliminating shelter for rats are among the most basic and important preventative measures.

If signs of infestation are noticed for example fresh rat droppings, gnawing marks, and/or smears, take immediate action to control the infestation contact Environmental Health Pest Control Services for treatment.

Can I get them treated?

Cheshire East Council provides a free service for controlling rats in domestic properties.  For details of this service please refer to our pest control main page. Unfortunately the council cannot extend this free treatment service to households with non domestic pets i.e. horses, chickens, ducks etc. However householders can apply for a payable service in these circumstances - please see our pest control charges (and look at the commerical premises - non contract cost) for futher details. 

Fully trained Pest Control Technicians will look at the infestation, and draw up a treatment programme which involves placing poison baits in the most appropriate locations. They will return to your home to make sure the treatment is successful. If you need our help,please use our contact details above to get in touch.

If a baiting programme is to be successful for the control of rats it is vital to maintain an uninterrupted supply of bait. This can be achieved by ensuring that all revisit appointments made with Pest Control are kept.

Do not interfere with or re-position any bait stations laid as part of a treatment programme and keep children and pets away from bait stations at all times.

Insect Drawings © Bayer 1964