For more than 30 years Archers Pest Control has dealt with thousands of roof rat infestations across London and today they will provide you with the most frequently asked questions about roof rats.
What Does a Roof Rat Look Like? Black rat “rattus rattus” is also known as roof rat or ship rat. A typical adult black rat is a long-tailed rodent and despite its name, the black rat colour may vary. Their coat colour is usually black to very dark brown and lighter underside. The adult black rat can reach up to 7.2in long, not including the tail which is up to 8.7 in long.
How To Identify If I Have Roof Rats? There are many signs of roof rat infestation in the home. The first is seeing an actual roof rat dead or alive. Another common sign is finding rat droppings around your home. Usually the droppings are about 12-13mm and have pointed ends. Discovering greasy rub marks, gnaw marks and damaged food is also an indicator for roof rat infestation. Noises in the attic, walls,gnawing holes or damaged electrical wires are also a common sign of infestation.
How Did I Get Roof Rats? As a matter of fact roof rats are able to squeeze their bodies through holes as small as one-half inch in diameter. Roof rats are excellent climbers and they prefer to be high in the air and can climb on three branches to get on your roof. They can reach almost any area of your house.
Are Roof Rats Dangerous? The short answer is yes. Roof rats can be dangerous for many different reasons. First, roof rats will chew on anything they come across. Like every rodent, these rats have continually growing teeth and need to chew in order to maintain them. They can gnaw through insulation, pipes, wires, pipes, personal and food items. Their chewing habits can cause a fire or water damage in your property. Roof rats are known to spread different dangerous diseases such as salmonella.
How Do I Get Rid Of Roof Rats? The most effective way to get rid of roof rats is to contact a licenced pest control company, like the professionals from Archers Pest Control. We are using effective methods and products to eradicate any type of rodents and other frustrating pests found living in and around homes and businesses in London.
How Can I Prevent Future Roof Rat Infestation? Preventing roof rats problem can be very difficult, but there are some methods you can use. Trim your tree branches to prevent these rodents from gaining access to your roof. Make sure your general waste bins and compost bins have secure lids on them. All bird feeders should be removed and its very important to eliminate easy access to any water sources.
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