Rats - pest control

Why should we control rats?

Rats infest over a million homes in the UK annually and Hounslow’s Pest Control Team currently deal with about two thousand reports of rats each year. Nationally the problem appears to be on the increase.

Rats have the potential to spread a wide variety of diseases around the home and garden. This is because they tend to live in environments such as drains, sewers, and rubbish where germs can be found. These can then be spread wherever rats go via their fur, feet, urine or droppings. The main diseases of concern are Weil’s disease, and food poisoning diseases such as salmonella.

Rats can also damage property by gnawing at wood, lead and soft metals, electrical wiring, water pipes, and drainage systems.

Where do rats live?

Rats are burrowing animals and will tend to live underground. Burrows can be dug in almost any soil and the openings will tend to be 10 – 15cm across. Extensive infestations can involve many such burrows.

Rats are also known to infest drains and sewers. However, they are very adaptable and can establish themselves wherever there is a supply of food and suitable harbourage in which to hide.

What is the law?

The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 places an obligation on owners or occupiers to control rats and mice on their property and to inform the local Council of infestations. The control of rats and mice is therefore everyone’s problem not just the Council’s.

Hounslow Council has a similar duty to control rats and mice on property that it owns and occupies.

Local authorities also have enforcement powers to ensure that rodent control is carried out. If necessary enforcement notices can be served on the persons responsible for any land that is infested requiring that they are eradicated. If these notices are not complied with then powers are available to either carry out the works required directly and charge the costs or to take a court case.

How will I know if I have rats?

You may not be aware of the problem if it is slight. However, you may become aware of the following signs;

The presence of rat burrows in the ground
Rat droppings which are black and cylindrical and up to 2cm long.
Signs of damage caused by gnawing (e.g. at the bottom of doors).
Smooth run down areas in the garden (rat runs) caused by rats running along the same path day after day.
Rat sightings.
In situations where rats have become established indoors then there may also be a very characteristic, musty odour.

How are rats controlled?

Once an infestation has been identified then it is usually brought under control with the use of either poisons or traps. Traps are useful if there are only one or two rats. Poisons are much more effective at totally controlling infestations.

Hounslow Council provides a free service to control rats on domestic premises. We will generally use poisons to do this. In certain situations we may need to treat a wider area than one individual property and this might take a while to arrange.

What else can I do to help stop rat problems?

If you ensure that your property is free of potential food sources and harbourage sites then you will have the best chance of remaining rat free.

Keep your garden clean and tidy
Clear up any windfall fruit immediately
Do not put out excessive amounts of food for birds. Use a special bird feeder and regularly sweep up any food that spills onto the ground.
Keep rubbish in proper containers with lids on until the day of collection.
Place compost bins over galvanised steel mesh and ensure that the lid is tightly fitted.

Is there a charge for rat control?

Rat control is free of charge on domestic premises. However, charges are made for the control of rats on commercial properties or sites.

How can I contact you for further information?

The Pest Control Team
Pollution Control Section
Street Management & Public Protection Department
London Borough of Hounslow
Bridge Road Depot
Pears Road
Hounslow
Middlesex
TW3 1SQ

Telephone: 020 8583 5082
Fax: 020 8583 5088
Minicom: 020 8583 6622

E-mail: pestcontrol@hounslow.gov.uk