Rats

                           Advanced Pest Control

What to do if you see Rats - or have a rat infestation?
APS pest control services have been controlling rat infestations for over 10 years. Through out London, Hertfordshire and the South East. A P S have hundreds of bait stations charged with rodenticides, already in circulation eradicating thousands of rodents through out the year.

What do Rats look like?
The common or brown rat typically has brownish fur on its back and grey underneath but colour can vary from white through to black. Adult body length is 200-270mm plus a tail length of 150-200mm.

Where do rats live?
Common rats live in anywhere that provides food, water and shelter. In homes, they will live in loft spaces, wall cavities, cellars or under floorboards. In gardens, they will burrow into compost heaps and grassy banks or under sheds. They are commonly found living in sewer systems.

How can I get rid of rats?
Rats are adaptable, highly mobile and breed rapidly. This combination makes rat control a difficult task for the untrained individual.
What are the signs of infestation?

• Sightings of live rats, scratching or gnawing noises heard particularly at night, or discovering dead rats.
• Rat droppings are usually black and rod shaped, 12mm long and taper at both ends.
• Runs - rats follow the same routes when travelling, and leave trails through the grass and low vegetation.
• Footprints and tail swipes - on muddy or dusty surfaces.
  Smears - dark grey marks left on surfaces by repeated contact with rat fur.
• Burrows - entrance holes 70 120mm in diameter in grassy banks, under tree roots, at the edge of paving or drain cover surrounds.
• Nests - sometimes found indoors, in lofts or under floorboards.
• Gnawing - rats gnaw continually, even on non-food materials, in order to wear down their front teeth.

What do they eat?
Their favourite foods are cereal products, although they will eat almost anything that humans eat. Most of the damage they do is by gnawing and ripping open packets. They also foul food with urine and droppings.

Why must rats be controlled?

• Rats can transmit many diseases to humans, including Salmonellosis (food poisoning) and Weils disease.
• Rats will eat or contaminate food intended for humans. It is estimated that up to 5% of food produced world-wide is lost as a result of rodent activity.
• Damage to buildings and other structures due to rat gnawing and burrowing.