Have you seen a rat in your garden?
First thing to mention is that rats live in family groups, so if you are seeing a rat in your garden, it is very likely that there is a breeding family of rats. Average rat family is around fifteen in number. So, a rat in the garden means there are rats in your garden. As rats breed, they spread as they need additional nesting areas and more food. Often rats will spread into neighbouring gardens or properties, and this means there is a likelihood they will move into your house also.
When it is warm during the Summer, rats in gardens are fairly common, however when cooler or wet weather sets this is often when rats take up residence in houses. It is easy for rats to get into houses, as they can chew through plastic air vent covers and around pipework. There are often gaps around plumbing pipes which give rats easy access into houses.
Once into your house, rats will travel up to the loft or attic using the wall cavities. If you are hearing noises at night, especially in the walls, then it is commonly a rat infestation. Once in your loft, rats will start nesting, which causes damage to wiring and insulation. Chewed wood and wires is a common sign of rats.
Rats also need food so will start coming down into the living areas of your house looking for something to eat. Rats will eat pretty much anything, and can easily chew through plastic food wrapping, so again chewed food is a very clear sign of a rat infestation. Rats can also chew through plastic food containers and cardboard, and will take most foodstuffs.
If it gets to the point where you are seeing signs of rats in your house, such as chewed food packaging in the kitchen, then the rat infestation is generally fairly advanced. It is also a major health and safety risk, as rat urine can carry fatal diseases.
In conclusion, if you are seeing rats in your garden it is highly recommended that you get professional pest control services to stop the rat infestation before it becomes a more serious problem. Rats will commonly travel using the drain system, and your pest control service will be able to tell you if a drain survey to stop rats is required, as a good pest control company will assess the situation thoroughly.
Rats also love living under decking, so again, if you have rats under or in your decking, pest control is well worth it. Rats in decking are usually living near your house, so it is only a matter of time before the rats move from the decking into your home. Professional rat pest control is very effective, so well worth the investment.
