Rats
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Rats are a world-wide pest due to their capacity to cause structural damage, to spread life-threatening diseases, and to compete with man for food.
The species most commonly found in Europe is known as the Norway (or Brown) Rat. The less commonly found species, which is generally restricted to port and dock areas, is the Black Rat, sometimes also called a Roof Rat.
Rats live alongside man, invading his buildings and eating his food. Rats transmit diseases that can be potentially fatal to man, such as Weil’s disease and murine typhus. They also carry organisms that can damage man’s health, such as the Salmonella bacteria, viruses and other parasites like nematodes and worms.
Damage by rats to the fabric of buildings can be extensive and costly. Fires can easily be started as a result of rats gnawing through electricity cables. Gas and water pipes are also vulnerable, and rats burrowing could also undermine the foundations of buildings and damage drainage and other watercourses.
However, if you are unable to deal with the problem yourself, you can arrange a treatment by contacting our Pest Control section (details at bottom of page).
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