Rats can quite literally be found anywhere and worse, can virtually survive anywhere too. No matter what the conditions, so long as they have something to feed on they will survive, particularly in heavily populated places or urban areas. While rats can cause damage to a property and food stores, they are also very problematic in terms of their ability to transmit deadly diseases. This was seen with the Black Death and The Great Plague of London. Fleas carrying the pneumonic plague survived on the back of rats travelling on merchant ships across the Mediterranean and into Europe. The disease was thought to have killed between 70 and 200 million people across Europe, Russia and the Middle East from 1346 to 1353.
Due to the level of hygiene and cleanliness seen now in society, the level of transmitted diseases has vastly decreased. However, rats are still a prominent pest. So what are some of the best ways to avoid these nasty rodents and keep your home or business rat-free? Read on for a few handy hints on what you can do to avoid a rat problem.
Rubbish and Garbage
It is more than wise not to allow rubbish and waste build up as this is a prime hotspot for rats to find food and shelter. Once one has found their way into the area, the rest will soon follow. Rubbish with food that is fermenting and going mouldy will also attract further rodents and bugs. This will only increase the chances of an infestation.
Keep goods above ground level
If you work with food or even if it is your home residence, then be very wary to keep all items above ground level. This may mean ensuring you have adequate storage to keep food and other items safe using materials like cardboard and plastics. Remember, though, that rats can quite literally chew through anything and they will at least attempt.
Be Careful
People often presume that one of the easiest and most effective methods of dealing with rat problems is to place cost-effective traps and poison and be done with the issue. However, placing poison around the busy city of London in a haphazard manner could be dangerous and cause serious illness in humans and animals.
With this in mind, treating a rat problem should most definitely be left to the professionals who have the correct protective equipment and the knowledge of how to deal with dangerous poisons. It is worth noting that if you are found responsible for placing poison without correct precautions and a young child or animal is affected by this, you will be held liable and could be prosecuted.
If you want to enquire about our pest control services in London, please get in touch today.
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