Rat Control
No matter where we are the first thing we need to do is to confirm that the target species is a rat or if it’s something else. This is very important as it dictates which products and methods we can use to control a problem.
The most common species of rat found in towns, cities and the countryside is the Brown Rat (Norwegian RAT), Rattus norvegicus, less common is the Black Rat (Ship Rat), Rattus rattus, only found around ports in this country. Here at Vale Pest Control despite regularly working around Cardiff, Barry, Newport and Swansea Docks and on occasion around Bristol and Gloucester Dock (not really a dock) we have never come across a Black Rat, but wait in great anticipation for the exciting and interesting day that we do.
Having established there is a rat problem the next most important thing is to establish what type of property we are working on and what its used for. We need to understand its construction, the materials its made from and how its been put together. We need to get an understanding of the sites history, whether there have been many changes on site, whether there are newer builds on old builds, whether parts have been extended, whether parts have had changes of use. We need to understand how its used and what effect on that use our various methods of rat control will have.
How we carry out rat control is most dependant upon the type of property that we are called into, what its main use is, whether its used as a workplace or home for people, a well ventilated transit warehouse or a document storage facility. Whether its used to prepare food for consumption or stock animal feed.
This defines whether or not we would recommend using rodenticide (rat poison) and if so in what formulation and format that poison should be presented to the rats, and where they should be able to access the rodenticide bait.
As a general rule if a property is lived in or used by people then we tend not to use rodenticide unless fully agreed to by the property owner. This is because generally speaking the smell of a dead rat can cause more disruption to home life or a business than a rat having access to areas that are not accessed by people. Instead we try to identify how the rats are getting into a property and carry out something we call “Exclusion”.
Whereas if working in a feed store area on a farm we would not hesitate to use rat poison, but we are restricted on how it can be used and in what quantities and how regularly spaced the bait points are. We need to take into account the impact that the poison will be likely to have either as a non target food source or as a secondary source where a bird of prey scavenges a dead rodent for a meal.
We use rodenticides (rat poison), breakback traps and various other forms of trapping where necessary for resolving infestations of rats. We also have some good ratting terriers that we use on farms to help knock back numbers quickly along with a couple of pneumatic 10 shot air rifles. So for rat control call Vale Pest Control.
For FAST, Friendly Service, Call 02920 552243
speak to a local professional pest controller NOT a National call centre
Because rats are neophobic it can be difficult to say how long it will take to control a rat infestation especially if one is only using traps.
Generally if we are not working on an annual contract we charge based on a 3 visit rat control cycle.
For a typical call-out where we are using rodenticide as part of the treatment plan we will during the first visit lay traps and poison.
On the second visit (generally 3 to 7 days later) we check the poison uptake and add more rodenticide if needed, we will also inspect the area for dead bodies and pick-up any dead rodents that we find.
On the third visit (approximately a week after the second visit) we will pick up the remaining poison and traps, and check for dead bodies in the area.
If there are indications that the infestation is still there then we will carry out a further 3 visit cycle at an additional cost.
If this is the case it is likely that if we have not identified their point of harbourage and that additional investigation is required to identify where the rats are coming from, ie a broken drain run beneath the floor, hidden soil and vent pipe exit point.
Investigation of this nature would be based on an hourly charge.
For FAST, Friendly Service, Call 02920 552243
speak to a local professional pest controller NOT a National call centre
Preventative Control Measures and Proofing
A rat that enters a building and establishes a ‘run’ will become wary of freshly laid rodent baits, ignoring them for a few days, and continuing to cause damage to stock. A rat gaining entry to a premises that has preventative pest control measures will consider the existing control stations as being ‘normal’ and will be quickly eradicated during its investigations of the control station.
As well as establishing rat control stations we will also advise on any proofing required and should you require it carry out any proofing work.
For information on the Brown rat Rattus norvegicus
For information on the Black rat Rattus rattus
For information on pest control pricing