Rat control

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Professional rat removal services

Are you being plagued by rats throughout your home or business? Fortunately for you, Abbott Contractors offer an effective and emergency rat removal service that you can rely on 24 hours a day. If you are wondering how to get rid of rats fast, then look no further. Our rat exterminators will use the latest techniques and methods to get rid of your rat infestation whilst also offering great advice to help prevent the problem from reoccurring.

Their ability to co-exist with humans makes them a common pest found throughout homes and business across the UK. With a long, thick tail, small eyes and ears, accompanied by a heavy body, they inhabit developed urban areas, often living communally and constructing burrows to house their young and store food.

Signs of a rat infestation

When a rat moves into an area, there are certain indicators they leave behind that strongly hint their presence. If you suspect you have a rat problem but want confirmation before calling a pest controller, look out for the signs to gauge a better idea of the scale of your rat problem.

Smears

Rats hold a large amount of grease and dirt on their fur, which will gradually smear on objects as they scuttle past. They will stick to the same routes, usually out of habit, so these routes become smeared and are an obvious indicator of a rat infestation. Around the home, these smears will often be found along the skirting boards.

Droppings

It is possible to recognise an active rat infestation by the state of the droppings. That of a rat will be significantly larger than mice faeces. Averaging between 9-12mm in length they can often be found in any area, but often in the corners of rooms or in crevices between items.

Runs

As previously mentioned, rats are creatures of habit. They often follow the same routes and pathways when travelling. This can often mean that outdoors, a rat run can be identified by a strip of depressed grass. Indoors it is easier as often dusty places will have clear routes through them, for example.

Other signs

There are a range of other indicators also that point towards a rat infestation. Damage to wires or structural damage is often the first thing you will notice, along with other signs of gnawing. Urine is used to mark their territory, but if you also spot hairs, footprints or tail swipes, they are strong indicators of a rat’s presence. The final signs may be more straightforward as it is possible that you will see a rat which is a sure-fire way to confirm an infestation. A stale odour is the final indicator that you have rats in your house and need a professional rat removal company.

Treatment and post-treatment

Rats are treated according to the location of the infestation and level of infestation, the common methods of treating rats are poisoning or trapping. The poison can be put down in the open (providing there are no children or pets around) in bait trays in the loft, in tamper-proof bait boxes internally or externally or in throw packs.

The three most common active poisons are Difenacoum, Brodifacoum or Bromadiolone. Brodifacoum can only be used internally as it is the most potent of the poisons. Our rat exterminators may sometimes use both poison and traps on-site, depending on the level of infestation. All our treatments are in line with the latest HSE and British standards. Our professional rat control treatment is the most effective way to ensure your home or business no longer houses a rat colony.

There are a few things you will need to bear in mind after our pest control experts have carried out the treatment. The poison does not work instantly and will need time to come to full effect. The rats will need to feed on the poison several times before they die.

To prevent rats from entering your home or business, the entry and exit points must also be located and sealed off. To ensure you do not entice more rats, a cleaning regime should be in place, maintaining that food is not left lying around and crumbs are hoovered up. Also, do not put any feed out for the birds as this will attract rats too.

Rats are attracted to the smell of rubbish bins; these should be sealed off and you should make sure your garden areas are clear of rubbish and debris. After the treatment, all bait, bait stations and rodent bodies should be removed from the site and be disposed of safely.

The dangers of a rat infestation

The presence of a rat problem in your home is an unacceptable living condition to most. It justifies the need for a professional rat control company immediately. The confirmed presence of rats in your property, be it sight, smell or sound, can be highly distressing, especially considering phobias people may have. More than this, they can pose threats to your health, wellbeing and that of your home.

Disease

Rats can be carriers of a number of diseases, some of which can be transferred to humans. With their living quarters in close proximity to humans they can spread disease through their urine, faeces, physical contact and through ectoparasites (fleas and mites) that live in their fur.

Food losses

Rats often waste more food than they eat due to their wasteful eating habits and through cross-contamination of their contact with food items. Rats desire to eat almost anything they can get their paws on means that having rats in the house can be a major problem.

Structural damage

Rats tend to gnaw on almost all objects in the home. This includes wires to electrical items, which can render the item useless and even start fires. They can even chew through lead pipes, causing leaks leading to monetary damage for the owner. Dead rats have been known to cause blockages in pipes too.

Physical damage

It has been known for rats to inflict direct injuries onto sleeping children and even adults due to living in close proximity. If a rat attacks, it will most likely go for the hands. If a rat has been cornered as well, then it will not hesitate to attack in defence.

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Our procedure

Our operations centre operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year*, so our customers can always speak to one of our helpful advisers. Our teams work closely together to ensure that the customer receives a prompt, co-ordinated and efficient service. At the time of booking, our expert advisers will select a local engineer to attend the site. The progress of the job is then carefully monitored through to completion, with live updates of estimated arrival times relayed directly to you.

Our procedure

Our work is not only approved by major insurance companies but some of our more regular customers, including several county councils, government offices and facilities management companies, not to mention many established high street retailers. We currently respond to over 150,000 emergency callout situations per year; the majority are dealt with effectively and often to very short time-scales.

Rapid emergency response

In addition to our planned maintenance work, we are proud to provide reactive services for homes and businesses across the UK. Our team work together to provide our customers with an exceptional response rate. We want to be our customers' first point of call and understand that when an emergency strikes, you need the problem to be resolved quickly and professionally by an engineer you can trust. Our fully certified engineers are ready to help you 24 hours a day*, so you can feel safe with Abbott Contractors.

Skilled & equipped engineers

We believe that quality workmanship is essential for achieving professional and operational results. Whatever your maintenance requirements may be, you can rely on us to provide a reliable first-class service at fair prices. Our skilled and experienced engineers' work is of the highest quality and professionalism, and the latest industry standards are always adhered to. You can rely on us to provide quality solutions for your home or business, day or night.

Careers at Abbott Contractors

At Abbott Contractors, careers flourish amidst a dynamic construction landscape. Join our team to experience a workplace where innovation meets tradition. Enjoy competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for growth. With a supportive environment and a commitment to excellence, Abbott Contractors empowers individuals to make meaningful contributions while building a rewarding career path.

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