What You Need To Know About Rats

​What Do You Need to Know If You Have a Rat in Your House?

Rats have been living alongside humans for centuries, thriving in both urban and rural environments. These larger rodents are particularly challenging to exclude from your property as they can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps and are capable climbers.

Rats can scale vertical brick walls of 20 feet or more to access your home through the eaves, loose tiles, or other vulnerabilities.

About Rats

Unlike mice, rats require access to water and tend to seek environments where they can find it. In many cases, rat infestations involve families nesting in loft spaces or traveling through cavity walls. Many homeowners remain unaware of a rat problem until they accidentally encounter evidence in their attic or other secluded areas.

The presence of rats in commercial premises poses a significant risk, particularly for businesses involved in food preparation or service, such as restaurants or hotels. If rats are discovered, swift action is essential to protect your business and reputation.

Why Are Rats a Danger to Health and Safety?

While rats may not seem threatening at first glance, they carry serious health risks. Rats can transmit dangerous diseases such as Weil’s disease (leptospirosis) and foodborne illnesses.

Rats are also largely incontinent, leaving behind over 50 droppings per day and frequently dribbling urine as they move around. These behaviours pose a contamination risk that requires immediate attention, whether in a commercial setting or a family home.

In addition to health hazards, rats gnaw constantly to keep their ever-growing teeth in check. This can lead to significant damage, particularly to the wiring in your home, making rats a genuine fire hazard.

The Biology of Rats

A female rat can produce up to seven litters of six to ten babies each year. These offspring can start breeding themselves within just a few weeks of birth, leading to rapid population growth. A single rat infestation can quickly spiral out of control.

Rats are omnivorous, feeding on a wide variety of food, and their powerful teeth can gnaw through formidable barriers. Weighing between 200 and 500 grams, rats are larger and more destructive than mice, with a lifespan of about a year in the wild.

There Is No Such Thing as Just One Rat

If you see a rat or find droppings anywhere in your house, it’s likely not alone. Rats typically live in groups, so spotting one is a sign of a larger infestation.

Inspect your attic, loft, or other secluded areas to locate the source of the problem. You can set traps yourself, but a professional pest control contractor is recommended to thoroughly survey your property and deploy effective solutions like poison baits.

For long-term prevention, a domestic pest control service with regular inspections, particularly of loft spaces, is a reliable way to ensure your home stays rat-free.