Local Affordable Rat and Rodent Removal across Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Rodents can cause serious damage and health risks if left unchecked.

1. Seal Entry Points: Check for gaps around doors, windows, and pipes, and seal them with materials like steel wool or silicone caulk.

2. Secure Food Sources: Store food in airtight containers and ensure bins, especially outdoor ones, are sealed tightly.

3. Natural Deterrents: Use peppermint oil or ammonia-soaked cotton balls to repel rodents in key areas.

4. Declutter Spaces: Keep sheds, garages, and lofts tidy to eliminate hiding places. Avoid storing cardboard or paper piles for extended periods.

5. Call Professionals: If you're facing persistent infestations, contacting a professional pest control service ensures effective and safe removal.

Our pest control team provides expert rodent removal uses humane and effective methods to eliminate infestations and prevent future problems.

Common sources include rats, mice and squirrels. We would need to go in the loft to see what evidence is in there. We would also spend some time asking you about the noises you’ve heard, for example, what time of the day and whether you’ve noticed any other signs of pests such as droppings, gnaw marks and smells.

There are various ways for rats to get into a property. Rats can climb up the walls, enter through the sewer system, faulty pipes, damaged walls and next door’s property. Something as simple as leaving external doors open can invite a rodent friend in.

Yes! We deal with pretty much all pests. The most common pests we deal with are rats, wasps, mice, bedbugs, fleas, cluster flies, moles, squirrels, pigeons, woodworm, and hornets.

Rats can carry diseases such as Hantavirus, Salmonella, and other pathogens that can cause viral infections and food poisoning.

Yes, rats are capable of climbing walls, especially smooth surfaces like pipes or walls with rough textures that provide grip.

The UK is home to two main rat species:

• Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus): Also known as the common, street, sewer, or wharf rat. It's widespread across Britain, commonly found in homes, gardens, and urban areas.

• Black Rat (Rattus rattus): Less common and primarily found in seaports, particularly around the Thames Estuary.

Signs of a rat infestation include:

• Droppings, especially near food sources.

• Gnaw marks on food packaging, furniture, or wires.

• Visible rat holes or burrows in gardens or under structures.

• Noises, such as scratching or scurrying, particularly at night.

• Footprints or greasy marks along walls.

If you notice these signs, it's advisable to consult a pest control professional.

Rats can carry and transmit several diseases, including:

• Leptospirosis: Caused by bacteria found in rat urine.

• Salmonella: Bacteria that can contaminate food and surfaces.

• Hantavirus: A virus transmitted through rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.

• Toxoplasmosis: A parasitic disease that can affect humans.

Proper hygiene and pest control measures can reduce the risk of transmission.

In the wild, rats typically live for about 1 to 2 years due to predators and environmental factors. In captivity, with proper care, they can live up to 3 years.

Rats are omnivorous and have a varied diet, including:

• Grains and seeds: Such as cereals.

• Fruits and vegetables: Including apples and carrots.

• Meat and fish: Occasionally scavenged.

• Nuts and legumes: Like peanuts and beans.

In urban areas, they often scavenge human food waste. It's essential to store food securely to deter rats.

Preventive measures include:

• Sealing gaps and holes: In walls, doors, and windows.

• Installing door sweeps: And repairing damaged screens.

• Keeping food in sealed containers: And cleaning up crumbs promptly.

• Removing outdoor food sources: Like bird seed or pet food.

Regular maintenance and cleanliness are key to deterring rats.

Rats are prolific breeders. A female rat can produce up to 12 litters per year, with each litter containing 6 to 12 pups. This rapid reproduction contributes to the challenges of controlling rat populations.

Rats pose significant threats to businesses, including:

• Health Hazards: Transmission of diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonella.

• Property Damage: Gnawing on electrical wires, insulation, and structural components.

• Reputation Damage: Customer perception issues, especially in food-related industries.

• Legal Implications: Potential breaches of health and safety regulations.

Implementing a robust pest control program is essential to mitigate these risks.

Common indicators include:

• Droppings: Especially near food sources.

• Gnaw Marks: On packaging, furniture, or wires.

• Visible Rat Holes: In gardens or under structures.

• Noises: Such as scratching or scurrying, particularly at night.

• Footprints or Greasy Marks: Along walls.

Early detection is crucial for effective control.

Effective strategies include:

• Professional Pest Control Services: Utilising trained experts with access to specialised tools and rodenticides.

• Rodent-Proofing: Sealing entry points and maintaining cleanliness.

• Monitoring Systems: Implementing technologies for real-time alerts.

• Regular Inspections: Conducting routine checks to identify and address potential issues promptly.

The duration varies based on infestation size and control methods. Professional treatments can yield results within days to weeks. However, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are necessary to prevent recurrence.

Yes, businesses must comply with:

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Guidelines: Ensuring a safe environment for employees and customers.

• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH): Proper handling and storage of rodenticides.

• Environmental Protection Act: Responsible disposal of waste to prevent attracting pests.

Non-compliance can lead to legal consequences and reputational damage.

Preventive measures include:

• Sealing Gaps and Holes: In walls, doors, and windows.

• Installing Door Sweeps: And repairing damaged screens.

• Proper Waste Management: Using sealed bins and regular disposal.

• Regular Maintenance: Ensuring the building's integrity to deter entry.

Immediate actions include:

• Contacting a Professional Pest Control Service: For assessment and treatment.

• Isolating Affected Areas: To prevent spread.

• Notifying Relevant Authorities: Required by regulations.

• Implementing Corrective Measures: Based on expert recommendations.

Yes, innovative solutions include:

• Bait Systems: Intelligent bait stations that control rodenticide access and monitor activity.

• Monitoring: Real-time monitoring and alerts for rodent activity.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Local authorities have legal powers to keep their areas rat and mouse-free. They must eliminate rodents on their own properties and can order landowners/occupants to address infestations through formal notices.

Herefordshire Council offers pest control services for commercial businesses only, but Worcestershire County Council does not, leaving residents to seek assistance from private pest control companies.

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.