Rat and Rodent Removal
Herefordshire & Worcestershire
Rat & Rodent Control and removal of nests throughout Hereford and Worcester. We remove and help prevent rats, mice and squirrels invading your home or business by using preventative methods, humane pest control services.
Latest Pest News
What's going on in the Pest Control Industry
HOW TO DEAL WITH 'RATFLATION'
Phil Martin, who works across Herefordshire & Worcestershire with PGM & Son Pest Control, shares tips on how to spot the tell-tale signs of infestations, and what you can do about them, with Jonathan Ray. The British Pest Control Association says the UK is in the grip of a so-called 'ratflation' crisis - with the number of rodent infestations needing to be dealt with on the rise.
Unfortunately rats and mice live wherever humans live. These rodents have a remarkable ability to adapt and survive. As they forage for food, they will inadvertently contaminate food storage areas, and damage buildings, and other property by their constant gnawing and burrowing. They also can spread diseases to people and pets.
We are an award-winning family business servicing Residential, Commercial, and Food Service establishments in Hereford and Worcester.
The Brown Rat: What Homeowners Need To Know
The Brown Rat
The brown rat (Rattus Norvegicus) is also known as a sewer rat, common rat or Norway rat.
Habitat
It burrows underground, approximately 2 feet.
Entry holes may be around 60-80mm.
They have a tendency to live by:
River banks and streams
Farms (especially pig farms and units, horse riding stables and poultry farms).
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Rats will also be found in almost any building, especially cellars and sewers.
Breeding
The gestation period is 21 days.
They will have around 6 litters per year.
They breed throughout the year.
These rats will have litters of up to 200 from a single pair of rats.
The life span is approximately 9-18 months.
Identification
Strong musky smell.
Droppings in one area (e.g. latrines).
Gnaw marks around doorways, skirting boards and food stores.
Well used travelling path.
Control Measures
Proofing work.
Identification and correction of defective drains and sewers.
Removal of food sources.
Rodent Control Services
PGM & SON Pest Control take pride in providing the highest standard of pest control throughout Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
We are a well-established, well-respected company, and our friendly, professional approach to pest control has helped establish our reputation as one of the most trusted companies in the industry.
#MakePestControlGreenAgain
The Breeding Cycle of Rats, Mice, Cockroaches & Flies
Having the foresight to pest proof your home or business can have significant benefits. It is a preventative measure, designed to save on costs and reputational damage that could come in the future if steps aren’t taken.
Commercial property owners, facilities managers and particularly anyone responsible for hygiene compliance in a hospitality business need to know how to pest-proof their properties, in order to reduce the likelihood of unwanted visitors making a new home.
If you're concerned that unwanted pests have already entered your home or business, talk to a pest control professional. They can help you to identify the type of pest and locate its most likely point of entry. The professionals at PGM Pest Control are specifically trained to identify steps that you can take to keep pests out of your home, as well as implement treatment options that are right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
about Rats
Why do we control rats?
Rats communicate and mark their territory by urinating everywhere they go, representing a significant public health risk.
They can carry many nasty diseases, which can spread to humans, normally through rats’ urine or body coming into contact with food preparation areas. These include: Leptospirosis (often referred to as Weil's disease), Salmonella, Listeria, Toxoplasma gondii, Hantavirus.
Rat or mouse in the house?
A large mouse can look like a young rat to the untrained eye, and vice versa. However there are many differences in between the adults of each species. As well as mice, there are other animals which look very similar to a rat, such as shrews and voles. Shrews are not rodents, unlike the other three.
Why are rats more common in the autumn?
In late summer/early autumn harvests are taking place and crops are ripened. Temperatures are warm and rodents have plenty of vegetation in which to hide from potential predators. But as temperatures begin to drop and food becomes scarce, rats will begin looking for shelter and scraps in more urban locations. And as autumn and winter push on, rats start to head indoors. Although usually nocturnal, the need to survive often means they will be spotted during daylight hours in these months, as they become more bold in their search for food and somewhere warm to hide from the chill.
What do rats eat?
As nocturnal mammals they will feed at night and can eat, on average, 50g of food a day. Cereal products are their preferred midnight snack, although rats are not fussy eaters and will chow down on pretty much anything - even other rodents and small animals.
Why is it important for businesses to have pest control?
Property owners have a legal obligation under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 to keep premises rodent free, or, if rodents pose a threat to health or property, to report infestations to the local authority. And if a company or organisation has a highly publicised rat problem, then it will heavily impact its reputation.
What are the tell tale signs that rats are about?
One of the most common signs that rats have paid a visit is their faeces, which are dark and pellet-shaped, and look like large grains of rice. These tend to be clustered in certain areas, as rats often use the same spot to do their business and can leave up to 40 droppings in one night. It must be all that fibre!
Another clue can be gnawing marks on electrical cables, woodwork, plastic, brick and lead pipes, as well as torn bags of foodstuff and materials.
In dusty, unused areas of a building, rats often leave footprints or tail marks
Rats can also leave a more unusual calling card; a greasy residue professionals call ‘smear marks’. Smear marks occur from their coats rubbing on the walls as they make their way along these trails to their nest or in search of food
You may also be able to hear the rats scratching, gnawing and scuttling around. Brown rats are prone to grinding their teeth and chattering when stressed, both very distinctive sounds. But correct identification is key, as these sounds can also be attributed to a squirrel infestation.
We are proud to be an award-winning pest control company. Our commitment to quality and excellence has earned us recognition from industry experts and satisfied customers alike. We believe that our dedication to staying up-to-date with the latest industry updates and trends sets us apart from our competitors and ensures that we provide the best possible service to our customers.