Rats
The common or brown rat is found
throughout Britain, living anywhere that offers food and shelter in
both towns and the countryside. It has now almost replaced the ship
or black rat.
Description and life
cycle
Adult rats weigh around 300 gm and are about 40 cm long, including
tail. Colours vary but are usually brown fur on the back with
lighter grey underneath.
They have poor sight but excellent hearing and sense of smell.
Strong teeth allow them to chew through most materials. They dig
extensive burrows, often linking up with the drains. Their
droppings are dark and jelly bean sized.
Rats live for 9 to 18 months. The female has up to 7 litters each
year with 8 to 10 young. Young rats start to breed in 2 to 3
months.
Problems they
cause
Rats spread many diseases which are harmful to man, including
Weils' Disease which can be fatal.
They also eat our food but spoil even more with their droppings and
urine. Their gnawing damages timber, pipes, cables and other
materials and their burrows damage drains and undermine paths,
patios and sheds.
Treatment
Our Pest Control Officers will provide the professional help
needed. They will inspect the area to determine the extent of the
problem, then treatment will be carried out, normally with baits
being laid.
The Pest Control team can be contacted by: -
Telephone: 020 8430 4133 (Mon - Fri 9am -
5pm)
Fax: 020 8430 1547
E-mail:
pestcontrol@newham.gov.uk
When you contact us tell the officer:
- Where you have seen the rats or the signs of them you have
found
- If you or your neighbours have seen rats outside or noticed
holes in the garden
- Of any recent problems with drains in the area
- If there are building or roadworks going on nearby
Control
It is important to check for ways the rats are getting in and take
action to stop them:
- Holes and gaps in outside walls must be solidly filled
- Chewed or damaged exterior doors must be repaired or
replaced
- Damaged or missing air vents and grilles must be replaced - but
never blocked
- Waste pipes must be checked for damage and repaired or replaced
where necessary
Do all you can to remove sources of food for the rats:
- Clean up after every meal and don't leave any food lying
around, especially overnight
- Put waste in the dustbin straight away and keep the lid on
- Clean and remove pet food bowls after feeding
- Stop putting out food and water for wild animals until the
Officer tells you the rats have gone
Keep the house and garden tidy so that the rats can't easily
shelter or nest:
- Clear any parts of the garden that are overgrown
- Remove unwanted items stored in the garden
- Don't overfill cupboards or store too much in lofts and
cellars