Common Rat - Rattus Norvegicus

The common rat needs a daily supply of water to survive (unless its primary food source is very moist). They are omnivorous but will prefer to eat cereals over other types of food. They are very mobile creatures and can climb on a wide variety of surfaces and are considered quite acrobatic. They tend to eat about 1/10 of their body-weight every day.
 
After treating the property, a survey should be undertaken to assess the infestation's proportions and risks. Also, adjacent properties should be inspected due to the behaviours of rats ( Rats tend to travel outside their harbourage to feed and drink before returning).
 

Colour	Commonly grey with a light underside
Ears	Relatively small
Eyes	Relatively small
Tail	Shorter than the length of head and body
Weight (adult)	Around 500 g
Litters per year	around 5
Litter size	upwards of 8
Maturity	around 3 months
Average life span	a year

During the survey, your pest-control technician will carry out a "risk-assessment" which is basically our way of checking for any hazards on the property / area. We will provide you, where possible, with advice for preventing rats e.g. highlighting any factors that can improve the situation, such as: proofing, cleaning, food storage etc.
 
Our technicians are always suitably equipped to handle virtually any problem that may be encountered. Our knowledgeable pest-controllers are experienced in the living patterns/ niches of rats and are very able to detect signs of them where present. These signs may include:

Treatment

After establishing the type and species of pest present, a baiting programme should be implemented. Our technicians aim to exterminate the rats without endangering people or non-target animals within the area. We are aware of the continuous changes that occur within a nest and we consider this when assessing your property. Baits, therefore, have to be inaccessible to other animals.   In instances where baits need to be in domestic areas, tamper-resistant bait-boxes must be used to protect the health of non-target animals and people.   Usually, follow-up surveying will occur seven working days after the initial baiting programme has been implemented, some situations, however, may require more frequent (daily) visits.