We get calls every Winter from people who have seen a rat in their garden, or in their house, and think they have one rat which they would like removing. If you see a rat in your house, such as in your kitchen, or there is a rat in your garden then it is highly likely that there is a rat infestation.
Rats live in family groups, which will include female breeding rats. It is very very rare to have just one rat living in your house. Occasionally a cat might catch a live rat and bring it into your garden or home, but this is the exception. It is far more likely that a family of rats has taken up residence in your loft or garden.
Commonly rats will live under garden decking or under a garden shed. It is more usual to find rats in your garden during the Summer, and rats are attracted to bird feeders – either in your garden or a neighbouring property. As the colder Winter months set in, rats will often find a way into your house looking for somewhere warm and dry to live.
If you are hearing noises in your loft at night, there’s a good chance it is rat activity. Rats will find an entry point in your house wall – such as air vents or holes in brickwork around plumbing or water pipes – and the rats will then climb up into your attic unsee in the wall cavities.
Once rats are in your attic or loft, they can live there pretty much undetected for some time, unless you hear them. Gradually, rats will get braver and start moving around your home more, also searching for food. This naturally takes them to your kitchen or food cupboards. If you see a rat in your kitchen, then you probably have a reasonably well established rat infestation in your home. The rats have been living and breeding in your property for some time.
What should you do if you see a rat in your house?
If you spot a rat in your house, or in your garden, then the most sensible step is to contact a local reputable pest control company. Rats in your garden invariably leads to rats moving into your house, often starting in your roof space. If you think you have already got rats living in your house, then it’s definitely time to take action and find a pest control professional with a rat extermination or rat pest control program.
Professional rat pest control is always quicker and more effective than trying to get rid of rats yourself. A good pest control company will also be able to tell you how the rats are getting into your house and advise with, or carry out, rat proofing and rat prevention for you. We say it time and again – prevention is better than the cure!
