Pest Control Fact Sheets

Rats

What do they look like?

The common rat has coarse, reddish/brown fur on its back and a light belly, but colour can vary. An adult rat has body length of approximately up to 19 centimetres plus a scaly tail of up to 12 centimetres. They have a blunt nose and small ears.

Where do they live?

Common rats live where they can find food, water and shelter. In homes, they can live in loft spaces, wall cavities, cellars or under floorboards although they do not normally live in occupied homes.

In gardens they will burrow in to compost heaps and grassy banks or under sheds, back of ponds and even burrow into rockeries. They are also commonly found living in sewer systems and are good climbers and swimmers.

What are the signs of infestation?

Seeing rats
Droppings, which can be 12 millimetres long and resemble a 'spindle' shape
Tracks - rats travel along the same routes and leave trails through grass
Footprints and tail swipes on muddy or dusty surfaces
Smear marks from grease and dirt from their coats can be seen on corners of walls and surfaces
Burrows - entrance holes approximately 7½-10 centimetres in diameter at the side of sheds, in grassy banks, under tree roots, log piles, edge of paving stones or around drain covers
Gnawing - rats gnaw all the time, even on non-food material, to wear down their front teeth

What do they eat?

Their favourite foods are cereal products although they will eat almost anything. Most of the damage they do is by gnawing and ripping open packets. They also foul food with urine and droppings.

Why must rats be controlled?

Rats can transmit many diseases to humans. The main disease they carry is Weil's Disease. This can cause flu like symptoms when bacteria enter the body through cuts in the skin or through contact with contaminated water.

They are also carriers of salmonella and rat bite fever amongst others. Apart from transmitting disease, rats can cause damage to buildings and other structures through gnawing and burrowing.

Preventative treatment

Remove potential nesting sites by keeping gardens clean and tidy and cutting back overgrown areas
Do not leave out food late at night for wild birds and animals, as this will encourage rats. If you wish to feed them then take in food at night and provide fresh in the morning
Keep your home in good repair so rats cannot gain access to it
Ensure drain covers are in place and undamaged
Do not leave household waste where rats can get at it

Treatment we provide

If you think you have rats, fully trained Pest Control Officers will give you advice, survey your home and provide treatment using a safe modern rodenticide approved for use in occupied properties
Although successful treatment is usually achieved over 2-4 days follow up visits will be made to make sure the treatment has worked. The Pest Control Officer will tell you if further treatment is needed
We also periodically plan and treat rats in the sewers throughout the borough alongside other water authorities

Our officers are able to locate any holes in the property that may be used by pests, but do not carry out repairs. Please make provisions to block these areas if you do not want the pest problem to return.

Advice is available on how you can do this by speaking to the Pest Control Officer or by contacting Barking and Dagenham Direct.

If you see a rat you should report it to us immediately.