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      Rat Control Services

      We can help you get rid of rats with safe & effective rat removal solutions.

      Pest Control ServicesRodent Control ServicesRat Control Services

      Expert Rat Removal Services

      Rat control

      Vergo are specialists when it comes to rat control, with over 45 years’ experience in resolving rat infestations.

      We can be trusted to solve rat pest problems quickly and effectively, with safe rat extermination and prevention strategies.

      As well as rat removal services, Vergo also specialises in pest control services for all pest species including; mice, wasp, bed bugs, cockroaches, wildlife services and more, for both residential and commercial customers.

      If you need to get rid of rats on your property, contact us today for expert advice and a free no obligation inspection and quotation.

      National rat control experts

      Looking for rat control services near you? Vergo provide national pest control services across the UK. No matter your location, you can be sure there’s a Vergo pest expert near you ready to resolve your pest issue. Find a Vergo pest controller near you.

      All of our technicians are qualified experts, certified in the safe use of rodenticides, the initial training program that we put our technicians through. This means they are able to tackle the smallest infestation on a residential property to a widespread problem in a commercial building. At Vergo, we have the knowledge and the expertise to provide and carry out a solution that meets your needs.

      UK map - Pest control near you

      Our trained pest control technicians are experts when it comes to exterminating rats and other public health pests from homes and business.

      Vergo pest professionals have a knowledge and understanding of rats behaviours, along with years of experience managing rodent infestations.

      Whether you are looking for a rat exterminator, rodent proofing or rodent monitoring, our team are here offer you the best solutions to your pest problems 24/7.

      Risks Rats pose to businesses

      Rats can cause significant risks to businesses including:

      • Financial losses
      • Reputational damage
      • Loss of time and inconvenience
      • Loss of products (eg. soiled crops and food goods)
      • Fines
      Rat problem

      If you have rats on your premises, it advisable to seek professional help when the problem first emerges. Left untreated rat issues can rapidly grow into serious large scale infestations.

      What you need to know about Rats

      Rats can cause significant damage to property; this is due to the fact that Rats’ teeth never stop growing. Rodents constantly gnaw on items to keep their incisors in check. They can gnaw through various materials even some metals!

      Marking their territory
      Rats mark their territory and communicate by urinating everywhere they go, representing a significant public health risk. They can carry many nasty diseases, which can spread to humans, normally through rats’ urine or body coming into contact with food preparation areas.

      Active at night
      Rats are nocturnal and are most active at night and during dawn and dusk.

      Rapid population expansion
      On average, a female rat can produce six litters annually, each containing twelve baby rats. In reality, however, most litters have between five to offspring (baby rats are known as pups). At only four to five weeks old, these little rodents have already reached their sexual maturity, thus allowing for the population to expand from two to up to twelve-fifty within a year, leaving the opportunity for even greater exponential growth.

      Excellent climbers
      Rats are excellent climbers and are capable of gaining entry through holes around soffit vents, around cables entering the building or even via breaches in the sewer system. Rats are also excellent runners and swimmers!

      Legal obligations to maintain pest-free environments to protect public health

      The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 is legislation in the United Kingdom, that creates a duty on local authorities to control mice and rats. The legislation grants powers to local authorities to compel land owners and/or occupiers to take action to keep land free from rats and mice.

      As well as this there is The Food Safety Act 1990 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is the statutory obligation to treat food intended for human consumption in a pest free, controlled and managed way.

      Environmental Health Officers or General Enforcement Officers can issue enforcement notices to business owners who do not have adequate pest management procedures in place.

      How can I tell if I have rats?

      Rodents need three things to thrive: food, warmth, and water. Typically as the weather gets colder or a readily available food source outside dries up rats tend to head indoors. Rats seek nests which provide warmth and shelter in places they can remain undisturbed.

      If you think you have a problem with rats, a thorough inspection is required to establish the extent of the infestation. Contact us today for more information.

      Common places you may find evidence of rats internally:

      • Attics, lofts and roof eves – check for rat droppings, chewed or shredded items such as cardboard, paper and loft insulation.
      • Kitchens & laundries rooms/cupboards – inspect behind all appliances such as cookers, washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers.
      • Gaps – Check for gaps from the inside to the outside of your property, this could be between pipework, cables, or vents. Rats and mice gnaw and get through surprisingly small spaces to seek shelter.

      Rats could also be found in places that are harder to check, such as in cavity walls, suspended ceilings and crawlspaces.

      Common places you may find evidence of rats externally:

      Outside, rats can live almost anyway, including in fields, wooded areas, sewers, farms, rubbish tips, banks of waterways etc. Check the following places on your property:

      • Sheds, outbuildings & garages – Look for any small holes or gnawing marks around the edge of any buildings.
      • Bins & compost heaps – Providing valuable food courses to rats, check for any holes or gnaw marks.
      • Overgrown vegetation – Check for holes and gnawing marks amongst overgrown vegetation.
      • Drains – Look for any damage to drain covers or holes close by.
      • Decking – Provides ideal nest space for rats, check for any chewed edges or any entry holes on or around your decking. Especially when wooden decking begins to root, access to the space underneath becomes more easily accessible.

      What to look for when searching for rats

      How do you know if you have rats? The following are signs that rats may be present:

      • Droppings – these are cigar-shaped and around 1cm in length. Rats produce around 40 per day, so if you have an infestation, some of these are likely to be seen.
      • Gnawing damage – rats have to gnaw constantly to keep their teeth in good condition, and as a result teeth marks may be seen on timber, soft metals, pipes, cables etc.
      • Noises – scraping noises may be heard from under floors, behind walls or in the loft
      • Smears – black greasy marks may be left by rats running over prominent objects over a long period of time
      • Holes – burrows, with entrance holes of 5cm to 7cm diameter, may be seen in gardens and grounds

      How to prevent Rats

      Prevention is better than cure – and there are many simple things you can do to avoid having a problem with rats in or around your buildings. You can make your environment less attractive to rats by using the following tips:

      • Maintain good housekeeping – poor housekeeping can increase the attraction of rats.
      • Clear debris – accumulations of debris and materials in grounds can provide rat harbourage. Remove any unwanted items.
      • Secure food storage – ensure all external food waste is kept in secured lidded bins with plugged drainage holes, and keep bin areas clean. Ideally all food storage should be off the ground. Any internal food sources should be keep in cupboards in sealed containers.
      • Vegetation – remove potential breeding sites by keeping vegetation cut back and grounds clean and tidy.
      • Bird feeding – be careful how you feed wild birds as you may be encouraging rats.
      • Compost – protect your compost from access by rats, or do not use it for waste food that might be attractive to rats.
      • Prevent access to water sources – Rats need water to survive so where possible cut off access. This will help prevent attracting them to your premises.

      If rats are present then you need to install methods of control to get rid of them. Contact us today to speak to rat expert.

      Looking for a pest provider you can trust?

      It is vital to find a trusted pest control company when facing pest issues.

      BPCA

      At Vergo, we put safety first, always. We are proud to have received the seal of approval and have passed vigorous health and safety audits including ISO9001, CHAS, Safe Contractor and more.

      Vergo are an approved member of the British Pest Control Association.

      Rat & rodent infestation FAQs

      • How can you tell the difference between rats and mice?

        Rats and mice are both rodents, so they do look similar. Rodents are mammals of the order Rodentia which are characterised by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws.

        Size – Mice have small bodies with long slender hairy tails. Rats are very much larger than Mice, their bodies can grow to 27cm! Rat tails are shorter than those of a mouse, they are also thicker, and hairless.

        Colour – Mice are light brown or grey whereas rats are usually darker in colour.

        Water sources – Rats need water access to water sources to survive. Unlike rats mice do not need water, they can go for up to a month without drinking water.

      • How quickly can a rat infestation grow?

        Rat infestations can grow rapidly!

        On average, a female rat can produce six litters annually, each containing twelve baby rats. In reality, however, most litters have between five to offspring (baby rats are known as pups). At only four to five weeks old, these little rodents have already reached their sexual maturity, thus allowing for the population to expand from two to up to twelve-fifty within a year, leaving the opportunity for even greater exponential growth.

      • FAQ - Do rats carry diseases?

        Yes, Brown Rats carry many nasty diseases which they can spread to humans, normally through their urine. including; Leptospirosis or Weil’s disease, Salmonella, Listeria, Toxoplasma gondii and Hantavirus.

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