It is tough to calculate the number of rats in the UK. The estimated numbers range between 10.5 million and 120 million. That’s scary, indeed. The best way to combat the situation is to take appropriate measures whenever a sign of rat infestation can be traced. The best option is always to call on to a rat infestation specialist. They will not only help you to have an effective pest control but will offer you peace of mind from the miseries caused by the annoying pests.
Hazards Caused by Rats:
Disease pathogens
Rats carry a series of nasty pathogens and diseases posing a tremendous public health risk. Rats keep on urinating everywhere they go to communicate and mark their territories. Thus, the conditions get more prone to spreading everywhere. Especially if the rats get access to the food preparation areas, then it might have detrimental effects on human beings. The diseases commonly spread by rats are as follows,
- Leptospirosis or Weil’s disease.
- Plague.
- Listeria.
- Salmonella.
- Hantavirus.
- Toxoplasma gondii
Besides, rats can also give rise to a psychological condition referred to as Musophobia or Murophobia, which is a specific form of phobia against rats.
Property Damage
Rats don’t just pose a threat to human life but also cause significant damage to your property. They make way to structural damages. A possible rat infestation in your property will probably be marked by several gnaw spots on wood, metal, glass, cinderblock, and most importantly around the sheathing on the electric cables. This, in turn, might lead to severe fire break-outs and leakage of gas and water if the pipes around are affected by the little monsters. They gnaw to keep their teeth in shape, and they are not shy about gnawing on anything and everything.
Rats affecting businesses
If an organisation has a highly publicised rat problem, then it will have a terrible impact on its reputation. A restaurant or a retail business facing the hazards of rat infestation might reach the end of the road for the establishment. Businesses are also often heavily fined for having a pest problem, and a repeat offender might face severe legal consequences. So, it is wise for a business to collaborate with a rat infestation specialist at the earliest if such an instance occurs.
Where rats live?
- Roof spaces or attics.
- Under floorboards.
- Wall cavities.
- Near sewer systems.
- Gardens.
Tell-tale signs that rats are around
- The dark and pellet-shaped droppings by rats.
- The gnawing marks.
- Footprints or tail marks in dusty, unused areas.
- A greasy residue referred to as smear marks by the professionals.
Of late, if you have observed any of these signs around your property, then call for a professional pest control service at the earliest. They won’t just help you to remove rats but will also aid you with effective measures of overall pest control like wasp nest removal, managing cockroaches, and so on. 3 Counties Pest Control is the company you can always count upon for the best results.
