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Rats (rattus rattus ratus / rattus norvegus) | Danger Signs
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Potential Harm |
Rat Proofing |
Rat Pictures |
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The common rat (rattus norvegicus), also known as the brown
rat, is the species most commonly found in London.
The adult rat is a thickset creature. It weighs from 100-500
grams and is typically 200-270 mm long. Its fur can be various
colours ranging from black through to white, but they are most
commonly grey. Its tail is shorter than its head and body.
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Danger Signs |
Common rats are widespread in both city and country areas,
and can be found anywhere offering shelter and food. Over 80%
of rat infestations in London originate from sewers. Rats are
efficient burrowers forming holes which average 100mm in
diameter. Sometimes a complicated tunnel system with several
openings is produced.
Typically, such a system can be found around the outside of
buildings, in embankments, rubbish tips, overgrown gardens.
Rats, by nature, are generally most active at night, but may
be seen searching for food and water during the day.
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Potential Harm |
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Rats are a major public health hazard. In the U.K. today
there are many rat-borne diseases; examples are Weil’s
disease (a rare infection which starts with influenza like
symptoms which can be fatal) and salmonellosis (food-borne
illness causing diarrhoea and vomiting).
Rats cause structural damage By their gnawing and burrowing
activities. Electricity cables and lead pipes are easily
gnawed, and fires have been caused by rats gnawing through
cables.
Rats can burrow under foundations of buildings and damage
drains and sewers. They eat and contaminate human food.
Their wasteful habit of discarding partially eaten food,
means more food is destroyed than consumed. They contaminate
food with their droppings, urine and hair.
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Rat Proofing |
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Harborages:
Rats are normally found in ground nests in a series of
tunnels called burrows. These burrows are often found under
wood piles, around sheds & structures and under ground cover
like English Ivy or Junipers. Rats will also also live in
sewers, crawl spaces, attics and wall voids. Rats can invade
attics where they will feed on seeds and acorns found in the
gutters of homes. Bushes and tree limbs should be trimmed
away from the house to prevent easy access to the roof
areas. Be sure to clean the gutters regularly. Store
firewood away from the structure and keep the firewood off
the ground where possible.
Entrance ways:
A young rat can pass through an opening the size of a fifty
pence coin! It is important to inspect for these openings
around doorways, garage doors, pipe openings and vent pipe
openings. Holes can be sealed temporarily with steal or
copper wool or with foam and silicon caulking. A more
permanent solution wood be to cement openings where possible
or repair the area with wood, siding or sheet metal where
applicable. Don't forget to inspect the bottom of the
doorways and install metal door sweeps as necessary.
Food sources:
Rats are omnivores and will consume seeds, grains, nuts,
insects, slugs and worms. Indoors they feed on dried pet
foods, cereals, chocolate, candy and all grains & seeds
including grass seeds. Common outdoor sources of food are
bird feeders, vegetable gardens, trash containers, pet foods
and barbecues. Indoors they will invade pantries, pet bowls,
stored bird and grass seeds in garages and basements.
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Rat Pictures |
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Rats are excellent climbers and jumpers and swimmers. |
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Rats contaminate
food, urinate and defecate uncontrolled. Huge potential
risk to humans. |
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Flour can be sprinkled over the floor to
track the movement of Rat foot prints! |
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Rat droppings are the surest
way of knowing where the mice are |
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Rats will chew almost anything, plastics, wood, metal etc.
An example of their chew marks |
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Be warned. Do Not Consume Rat contaminated food stuffs.
Seal food in jars and store away. |
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