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R a t s
Roof Rat Norway Rat House Mouse Rodents are annoying and noisy mammals that will nest in
buildings providing they have access to food and are sheltered. Generally
nesting in groups in your roof void, wall void and under wooden floors. Rats
are mainly nocturnal mammals that are creatures of habit, they will often use
the same paths to travel and feed from. Rats will continue to use the same
food source for as long as possible. Mice on the other hand are a little bit
more adventurous and will often explore different food sources and may feed
from more than one food source. Rats and mice have very accomplished climbing
skills and can scale walls, pipes, cables and trees. Both are also extremely
good swimmers. They both constantly gnaw and because of this they are known
to cause damage to a large range of materials, more often the damage in a
house is to doors, skirting boards and other parts of a building structure.
They are known to gnaw at upholstery, books, parts of equipment or machinery
and wiring. This gnawing at wiring which is not only costly to repair, it
also has the potential to start fires. Through-out history rodents have been responsible for
transmitting various diseases to humans. Some of the results of rodent
contamination are tapeworm, salmonella food poisoning and various other
fevers. They can transmit these and many others through a variety of means. 1.
Food contamination or utensils with urine or
droppings. 2.
Contamination by direct contact with urine or
droppings, where bacteria can enter the skin through small scratches. 3.
Indirect contamination through blood sucking
insects like fleas and mosquitoes. 4.
Contamination by directly biting humans. Food spoilage and contamination which occur mostly in
commercial premises can be responsible for large losses of food in storage,
either by directly eating the foods or by rendering them inedible through
contamination. Rats and mice in buildings pose a serious threat to human
health. The disease threat alone is justifiable
cause for concern and for the implementation of sound control and management
procedures. Things to look for. ·
Droppings. ·
Debris like snail shells with the sides eaten out,
cape lilac berries, left in the corners of sheds, under homes and other
secluded spots. ·
Signs of fruit and vegetables being eaten. ·
Greasy rub marks along paths they travel. ·
Burrow holes around buildings. ·
Signs of gnawing damage. ·
Pet dogs, cats, birds being more excitable than
usual. ·
Squeaking, gnawing or movement noises in walls,
cupboards and ceilings and under floors, especially at night. Avoiding
rat problems ·
Store firewood away from the side of sheds and
fences and keep it clear from the ground. (This will also help prevent
termite activity). ·
Regularly remove or limit garden waste or other
disused materials in sheds or around your yard. ·
Remove fruit or nuts from trees or vines at the end
of the season. ·
Block holes or potential access points around all
buildings. ·
Keep pet food dishes clean and stored bulk pet food
supplies in manner which denies access to rats. ·
Rubbish bins and compost containers should be well
maintained and free from holes. Some of the many things a rat can do. ·
Fall 15 meters without hurting itself. ·
Swim 800 meters. ·
Tread water for three days. ·
Jump one meter vertically, 1.2 meters horizontally. ·
Wriggle through a hole one-quarter its size. ·
Gnaw through lead and aluminum sheeting. ·
Produce up to 15,000 descendants in a year. A rat is
the world’s most resilient animal. Rats and mice in buildings pose a serious
threat to human health. The health threat alone is justifiable cause for
concern and for the implementation of a control and management procedure. You
can also find that you become infested with rodents if there is a building
being demolished close by. StewartS can carry out an eradication program to
your property. We have qualified
operators able to assess your situation now. |
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