Rats are the ultimate survivors! These clever scavengers can squeeze through the tiniest gaps, adapt to almost any environment, and multiply FAST. That’s why getting rid of them isn’t just a challenge—it’s a battle! But don’t worry, we’ve got your back.
If rats have invaded your home or business, early detection is KEY. Look out for these warning signs:
✅ Droppings – Rats leave up to 40 droppings a night! They’re dark, shiny, and about the size of an olive.
✅ Strong urine smell – Rat urine has a sharp, unmistakable odour. If you smell it, they’re nearby!
✅ Scratching noises – Especially at night, as rats are nocturnal. You might hear them in walls, ceilings, or under floorboards.
✅ Footprints & tail marks – Found in dusty areas where they scurry around.
✅ Gnaw marks – Rats chew EVERYTHING—cables, wood, pipes, even concrete! Their teeth never stop growing, so they gnaw constantly.
✅ Foul odours – Dead rats hidden behind walls or under floors cause a horrible stench.
✅ Nesting materials – Rats shred paper, fabric, plastic, and cardboard for their nests. Look near drains, rubbish bins, compost heaps, and sheds.
✅ Daytime sightings – Seeing rats in the daytime? That means the infestation is SERIOUS! Older, weaker rats come out when food competition is high.
Urban areas provide rats with endless food, water, and shelter. Once they start breeding, the population explodes. A female rat can produce up to 120 babies in just two years!
Health Risks: Rats carry diseases like Weil’s disease, salmonella, and hantavirus, which spread through their urine and droppings.
Property Damage: They chew through electrical cables (fire risk!) and even gas and water pipes.
Expert Targeting: Professional pest control ensures TOTAL elimination with correctly placed baits and traps.
✅ Leave droppings & damage for inspection – Helps us locate problem areas.
✅ Track rat activity – Note where you’ve seen them and ask neighbours if they’ve had issues.
✅ STOP feeding wild birds – Birdseed attracts rats!
✅ Secure compost heaps – No food scraps or pet waste!
Once we’ve cleared the infestation, follow these steps to keep your property RAT-FREE:
🔹 Don’t leave pet food outside overnight.
🔹 Seal gaps around pipes and doors.
🔹 Keep rubbish bins tightly closed.
🔹 Store pet food in secure containers.
🔹 Regularly check sheds, compost heaps, and outbuildings for signs of activity.
1️⃣ Strategic Baiting – We use highly effective baits placed in tamper-proof boxes, ensuring the whole colony feeds.
2️⃣ Slow-acting Poison – Rats don’t associate bait with illness, so they keep feeding until the infestation is wiped out.
3️⃣ Follow-up Visit – We remove bait and dispose of dead rats safely.
🚨 Important: We can’t control where rats die, and if they perish under floorboards, there may be a temporary odour. We can provide control measures to mask smells until they naturally dissipate.
For low-level infestations, we recommend treating affected areas with a biocidal spray for extra hygiene protection.
DON’T WAIT! If you suspect a rat problem, act FAST before they take over. Contact Pest Shield today for expert pest control!
Pest Control ServicesPEST-SHIELD provides expert pest control services in Newcastle, Sunderland, and Durham—keeping homes and businesses safe and pest-free.
For fast, reliable, and safe pest control solutions. Call us on 0191 7166647
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