Rat Control

Signs of a Rat Infestation

Rats are typically nocturnal animals who keep to themselves, so catching a glimpse of them with your own eyes can be tricky. Instead, there are a number of telltale signs you can look out for that will help you to identify a rat infestation in your home or garden.

Noticed rats in the garden? Check out this video below, captured at a family home in Maidstone, or read our Rats in the Garden article to discover what to do, along with methods for preventing a rodent infestation in future.

Rat Droppings

Rat droppings are rather distinctive and easy to identify once you know what you’re looking for. Rats will typically create up to 40 droppings in one day, which will end up spread across the problem areas of your home that they are visiting. Rat droppings are usually dark brown in colour, with a tapered shape that looks that a grain of rice, only larger. 

Footprints

Rats prefer areas of the home which are often undisturbed, like the loft, the airing cupboard, etc. These less-used areas will usually collect dust, aiding us in identifying a rat infestation. As they run around these areas, rats will leave behind their tiny footprints and tail marks in the dust – a telltale sign of their presence. Many find success in placing down powdery substances like flour or talcum powder in the areas you suspect are affected, then check back the next day for evidence of a rat infestation.

Gnaw Marks

Rats are rodents which means their two front teeth will never stop growing. To manage them and prevent any injuries or discomfort, rats need to be constantly gnawing on solid objects in order to grind them down. Unfortunately for you and your home, they will chew through whatever they can find, including skirting boards, wooden beams, doors, cupboards, fascias, and even electrical cables! Therefore, check all hard surfaces near the problem area for little teeth marks. 

It’s also worth checking the exterior of your property for potential rodent entry points, which will help you to understand how the pests gained access to your home in the first place.

Rub Marks

Rats are creatures of habit who will stick to their established routes throughout your property. As they make these continuous runs, their bodies rub against walls and skirting boards, and because of the dirt and grease on their bodies, they leave behind distinctive dark marks and smudges wherever they go. If you’ve noticed such marks throughout your home, then it’s highly likely you have a rat infestation. 

Noise

One of the most common signs of a rat infestation is noise. As they are mostly nocturnal animals, they tend to be most active during the early hours of the morning. Many of the customers we visit to help with rat control services complain of being disturbed during the middle of the night by scratching or little footsteps on their ceilings or in their walls. You will often hear such noises in the same locations as they stick to their designated routes through your home. 

Not sure whether it’s rats or mice causing you problems? Check out our helpful article: What’s the Difference Between a Rat and a Mouse?

If you’ve noticed one or more of the signs listed above, then it’s highly likely that you’re suffering from the hands of a rat infestation, and you need the help of your local rat controller in Maidstone. Call now on 01622 296055 to book a visit, and our local technicians will be with you as soon as possible to remove your rat problem.

Commercial Rat Control Services

Rat problems and businesses simply do not mix. Rat infestations cause a number of issues, including structural damage to your commercial property that will require costly repairs and potential business closure to correct. Rats on your business premises also place you, your staff and your customers at risk of developing serious health problems thanks to the numerous diseases they carry and pass on to humans.

Depending on your industry, rats on your commercial property could lead to expensive fines, legal fees and even business closure, as you have a legal requirement to ensure your premises are kept pest-free. 

If you run a business in Maidstone, then the last thing you want on your hands is a rat infestation on your commercial property. Pest infestations, in general, are never good for business, but rats have a particular stigma surrounding them. If word gets out that you’re suffering from a rat problem, then your company’s reputation is at stake. Customers will be put off by the news and head elsewhere, negatively affecting your profits and, therefore, the future of your business.

To help protect your business’s reputation, we offer discreet commercial pest control services to all types of businesses across the town of Maidstone and the surrounding areas of Kent. We’ve worked with a number of local businesses, using our expert knowledge and experience to swiftly remove their rat infestations with ease. Plus, we also offer long-term pest control contracts for businesses, providing regular callouts and annual protection from all types of pests, including rats, keeping you legally compliant and pest-free year-round. 

Check out this video of one of our recent commercial rat control jobs in Maidstone: https://posts.gle/VVEfdB.

Contact the team today at admin@pest-tech.org to organise your site survey, or call now on 01622 296055 to discuss your requirements and book your commercial rat control treatment today. 

Wondering how they got in? We’ve written an article on Rat Entry Points to help you identify problem areas and employ proofing measures to prevent rat infestations in the future.

Emergency Rat Removals in Maidstone

When it comes to rat infestations, time is of the essence. If left untreated, rats will replicate at rapid rates, and, before you know it, your rat problem has become ten times worse. Attempting DIY rat control is rarely effective; over-the-counter poisons and treatments just aren’t strong enough to successfully remove the problem. Plus, attempting to remove the problem yourself simply places you more at risk of contracting a dangerous disease!

This is why we strongly advise against DIY rat control. Instead, please leave it to the experts here at Pest-Tech, who are on hand to deliver professional rat control services in Maidstone. Our local technicians are highly experienced in dealing with rat infestations for both commercial and residential properties, so you know you’re in safe hands. We have the professional-grade equipment and the knowledge required to remove rat infestations fully and prevent their return. 

If you’ve noticed signs of rats on your property, it’s time to act. Discover the areas we cover across Maidstone and contact your local pest control technician now on 01622 296055 to book your effective rat control treatment as soon as possible. 

Pest-Tech are proud to have helped protect numerous homes and businesses across Maidstone and Kent from the threat of rats; please contact us today for all your rat control needs.