Rats May Attack

It is crucial to exercise caution when attempting to disturb a rat’s nest. These creatures are known to be territorial, and when they sense that their home is being threatened, they may react aggressively towards the intruder. They can scratch, bite, or even run at you if provoked, causing injury or transmitting diseases. Therefore, it is highly recommended to seek the assistance of a professional exterminator when dealing with rat nests. They possess the necessary expertise and tools to handle the situation safely, minimising the risk of harm to you and the rats.

Disease Transmission

Rats carry many diseases, bacteria, and viruses that can be transmitted to humans through bites or contact with their urine or faeces. If you come into contact with a rat or disturb their nest, you risk exposure to these pathogens, which can be released into the air and cause inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. Some of the most common diseases that rats can spread to humans include salmonella, leptospirosis, and hantavirus, and they can cause serious health problems if left untreated.

Nest Abandonment

Rats are known for being fiercely territorial animals. When their nest is disturbed, they feel threatened and may abandon it altogether. This can result in them leaving behind their offspring, helpless and in dire need of their mother’s care. Moreover, the displaced rats may venture into other areas of your home, searching for a new place to settle down, leading to a more severe infestation problem. These circumstances highlight the importance of cautiously handling rat infestations to avoid further complications.

Property Damage

Rats are notorious for their tendency to gnaw on materials in their environment. When they sense danger or feel threatened, they may engage in this behaviour more frequently and intensely. This can be especially problematic if you inadvertently disturb a rat’s nest, as they may start to gnaw on everything from wires and insulation to other structures in your home. This type of damage can be expensive to repair and put you and your loved ones at risk of electrical fires or exposure to dangerous substances like asbestos. Therefore, it’s important to prevent rats from entering your home and address any infestations promptly to avoid potential hazards.

Rapid Infestation

Disturbing a rat’s nest can have severe consequences beyond what you might expect. When a rat’s nest is disrupted, the rodents may scatter and reside in other areas of your home, quickly leading to a full-blown infestation. This can be an overwhelming problem that is difficult to manage, requiring immediate attention. It’s crucial to avoid attempting to disturb a rat’s nest and seek professional help to address the issue before it gets out of hand.

Contact Willis Pest Control

At Willis Pest Control, we provide expert pest control solutions across Birmingham and the Midlands. For help in dealing with pests, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our expert Willis Pest Control team, give us a call on 0121 588 5258 or 07305 518033.

The post What Happens if You Disturb a Rats Nest? appeared first on Willis Pest Control.

Secure The Lid

The first thing you want to do is ensure that the lid of your bin is tightly secured. Rats are excellent climbers and can easily get inside bins with loose or open lids. Make sure that your lid is secure with locks or clips, and if you notice any cracks or gaps, seal them up with caulk.

Keep The Surrounding Area Clean

Rats are attracted to food and any other sources of sustenance. To prevent them from getting into your bins, it’s essential that you keep the surrounding area clean. Avoid leaving leftovers, pet food, or any other food waste lying around. Keep the area free of debris, such as fallen leaves or branches, as these can provide hiding spots for rats.

Use a Bin With A Narrow Opening

An effective way to prevent rat infestation is to use a bin with a narrow opening. This can prevent rats from accessing the contents of the bin and reduce their attraction to the area. Additionally, installing a custom-made metal mesh over the opening can further narrow it down and provide an extra layer of protection.

Make Use Of Repellents

There are several types of repellents that can be used to keep rats away from your bins. These include sprays, gels, and granules that are available at your local hardware store. You can also use natural repellents, such as peppermint oil or mothballs. Another option is to use an ultrasonic rat repellent that emits high-frequency sound waves that are unpleasant to rats.

Use Rat Proof Bins

If all else fails, consider investing in rat-proof bins. These bins are specifically designed to keep rats out and are made of materials that rats cannot penetrate. They have locking lids, and narrow openings, and can be customized to suit your needs. While they may be more expensive than regular bins, rat-proof bins offer a long-term solution to rat infestation problems.

Contact Willis Pest Control

At Willis Pest Control we are specialists in providing expert pest control solutions across Birmingham and the Midlands. For help in dealing with rats, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our expert Willis Pest Control team, give us a call on 0121 588 5258 or 07305 518033.

The post How To Prevent Rats Getting Into Large Capacity Bins appeared first on Willis Pest Control.

What Do Rats Sound Like in Walls?

The sound of rats in walls is typically a scratching or clawing noise that can be heard at night when it’s quiet. Rats have sharp claws and teeth, which they use to chew through drywall or other materials in the house. As they make their nests, they can cause damage to electrical wiring and other infrastructure. It’s important for homeowners to address a rat infestation as soon as possible to reduce the impact on their home and their well-being.

How to Eliminate Rats in Walls

Below are some tips on how to eliminate rats that have nested in your walls:

Prevention

The best way to keep rats out of your walls is to make sure they can’t get in the first place. Ensure all potential entry points are sealed off, including cracks around windows, door frames, and rooflines. If you have any trees or shrubs that come close to the home, ensure they are trimmed to keep them from providing easy access for rats.

Traps and Bait

Setting up traps can be a great way to eliminate any rats that have already made their way into your walls. Place the traps close to entry points or around areas you suspect the rat might be using as its nest. You can also use bait to lure the rat into your traps, such as peanut butter or seeds. Check the traps regularly and dispose of any rats you find responsibly.

Ultrasonic Devices

Ultrasonic devices can be used to deter rats from nesting in walls. These devices emit high-pitched noises that are too high for humans (and most pets) to hear but are extremely unpleasant for rats. The noise may be enough to drive the rats away.

Professional Help

If all else fails, it’s best to call in a professional pest control expert who can properly assess the situation and determine the best way of getting rid of your rat problem. They can help you identify the entry points rats are using and take all necessary actions to ensure that your home is rat-free in no time. If you are looking for a rat exterminator, contact the experts at Willis Pest Control.

Contact Willis Pest Control for Pest Removal

At Willis Pest Control, we are specialists in providing expert pest control solutions across Birmingham and the Midlands. For help in dealing with rats, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our expert Willis Pest Control team, give us a call at 0121 588 5258 or 07305 518033.

The post Identifying the Sounds of Rats appeared first on Willis Pest Control.

Food Access

While implementing this solution is frequently effective, it can be challenging to properly implement it. Rats aren’t picky when it comes to food and will eat pretty much anything available to them sometimes even going as far as killing small animals to meet demand. Most commonly, a rat infestation is caused by improper management of rubbish where leftovers can be easily accessed by wild animals. Correctly storing rubbish, not leaving food out, and promptly cleaning spillages or dropped leftovers can help to limit a rat’s access to food. Water can also be a factor but due to being able to go for a month or more without water, trying to limit their access to water isn’t really feasible.

Trapping

The efficiency of trapping will very much depend on the quality and frequency of the traps themselves. Harsh poisons are all but outlawed and any type of rodenticides should be avoided around a domestic property especially around children and pets. Unless you have prior experience in animal trapping, it is highly recommended that you get a pest control company to place these traps in order to avoid accidentally injuring yourself or those around you.

Animals

When it comes to dealing with rats, other animals are your best friends. Cats have played a significant part in the extermination of at least 63 species worldwide and have a natural predisposition for rat hunting. The same can be said of many predator birds such as owls which can consume upward of 10 rats a night. Implementing a bird feed or birdbath in the garden can attract birds and incentivise rats to move elsewhere.

Call in the Experts

At Willis Pest Control we have years of experience in providing rat infestation solutions and can offer you one of our numerous pest resolution services. We always look to recommend solutions around your unique property and after thoroughly having assessed the severity of the infestation. Having an expert carry out the process for you is infinitely more efficient than dealing with the issue yourself and unless the infestation is in its infancy you should always look to garner the help of an expert

Contact Willis Pest Control

At Willis Pest Control we are specialists in providing eclectic pest control solutions across Birmingham and the Midlands. For help in dealing with Rats, Wasps, Fleas, Cockroaches, Mice, Squirrels, Ants, and Bed Bugs, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our expert Willis Pest Control team, give us a call on 0121 588 5258 or 07305 518033.

The post How to Deal with Rat Infestation at Home – Our Guide appeared first on Willis Pest Control.

Did you know that the rodent infestation in the UK has surged up by 40 per cent during the coronavirus lockdown? Some companies have even recorded up to a 120-per-cent increase in their area. These alarming figures stem from different causes, and as a business owner, you should understand why this is happening so you can protect your commercial space better. This article will break down the possible causes to give you a better idea.

Why There Is a Sudden Outbreak of Rats and Mice

Reason 1: Closure of Some Establishments

Many commercial establishments, such as bars, restaurants, cafes, and pubs, were put to a sudden halt because of the pandemic. These places are filled with foods and drinks, making them prone to attracting rats, especially when left unattended. At the same time, they have been forced to cancel or postpone their regular pest control services because of their closure. This has only encouraged more pests to thrive and grow during the lockdown period. 

Reason 2: Reduced Pest Control Services

As mentioned above, the lack of pest services has contributed to the current situation. In the past, UK pest management companies dealt with countless rodent infestations each week. But during the COVID-19 breakout, most of these companies have had to close or scale down their operations. As a result, more rats remained untreated, and their populations have increased. 

One important note is that rodents are fast breeders. They only need roughly four weeks for each breeding cycle, and they start to reach sexual maturity at an early age. Male rats need only 10 to 12 weeks, while females can have their first estrus when they reach the age of 8 to 9 weeks. 

Reason 3: Delayed Bin Collections

The lockdown has also resulted in limited services, including late garbage collection. Uncollected rubbish everywhere is like a party for rats and mice. This did not only serve to attract these rodents, but it also provided the pests with food for weeks. The current situation has created a perfect environment for them to continue thriving and breeding.

Rat Prevention Tips

Wintertime is when rats look for a warm shelter to stay in. They will need food and water sources, which is why they are more visible during this time. Prevention will save you from all their troubles later. Here are some tips to prevent rats from using your space as their winter nest this season:

• Keep your food stored in airtight containers.
• Your trash bins should be sealed properly and, if possible, placed outside your restaurant or pub.
• Block any holes you have in your commercial space.

What to Do If Your Commercial Property Gets Infected

Apart from the fact that rats are disease carriers, there is no study or evidence that confirms that they cannot carry the coronavirus. The best thing you can do is to protect your space and take action when necessary. If you think your restaurant or pub is infested with rats, it is crucial to deal with them as early as possible. 

They can get destructive, contaminate your space, and spread disease. As soon as you see droppings or any other evidence of nesting, call local pest control immediately.

Conclusion

A rat-free establishment is a safe place for business owners and customers. However, there are times when things are out of your control. No matter how you keep things tidy and neat, there will be instances when you will discover that there is already an infestation in your place. 

Willis Pest Control can help you deal with these rodents. We provide rat removal services in the West Midlands to make your establishment safe again. We are available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Contact us to book our service.

The post Tips to Stop Rats From Nesting in Your Commercial Space – Our Guide appeared first on Willis Pest Control.

Types of Office Pests

Here are the common pests you’d encounter in an office setting:

• Cockroaches: As long as there is discarded food, expect cockroaches to be present. What makes them love offices more is the wide variety of “food” they can get. They love feeding off the glue, paste, and materials made from paper, such as letters, books, drapes, and wallpaper. You wouldn’t want them near you because they transport harmful microbes to humans. They also produce odorous secretions that can contaminate and alter food’s flavour and aggravate people’s allergies and asthma symptoms.  
• Rodents: Rodents do not just damage your home; they are also scary when they reach your office space. Gnawing is their favourite activity, and they can do that to your electric wires or stored files, affecting the whole work system at your office. Moreover, once they find a new home, they multiply quickly. They’ll infest the entire place with their harmful urine, faeces, and dead skin flakes, causing food poisoning, asthma, and other illnesses. 
• Bed Bugs: Bed bugs are not only found in beds. They can also appear in your office. Although they don’t pose a high risk to an office setting, they love feeding off people’s blood. They also quickly multiply, so the more you let them stay, the more of them will infest the office. 
• Others: There are other types of pests your office building might encounter, such as fruit flies that love to feed off ripe fruits, fungus gnats that love to go around your office plants, or beetles and moths that randomly lay their eggs in food. 

What You Can Do

As soon as you see any signs of infestation in your office, you need to deal with the problem right away. 

1. Identify the problem areas 

You won’t know where to eliminate pests if you don’t see where the pests are hiding. Keep an eye on these spaces. Cockroaches and rats love kitchens and trash bins because these provide their primary food source. They may even see the bathroom as a welcoming place because of the presence of water. You’ll address the situation better if you have an idea of what you’re dealing with, so conduct inspections until you find their hiding places. 

2. Remove all the clutter

If you don’t want any rodents gnawing on items on your desk, don’t give them a reason to visit your workspace in the first place. Organize your files and clean them. Never leave food on your desk overnight. 

In the pantry or break room, put all food in sealed containers or inside the refrigerator. Ask employees who eat on their desks to wrap their food properly when disposing of their waste. Inform all employees about the need to stay clean and organized all the time. Educate them about the pests and how they infest an office building. 

A clean and clutter-free workspace will increase motivation and productivity for everyone at work. 

3. Get local pest control

Never think of bringing your pesticides from home and spraying them in the office on your own. It is not a good idea because it can cause coughing, eye irritation, nausea, or asthma. It is best to still leave everything up to professional pest control, especially when dealing with extreme cases. They can help you locate the problem areas and use safe methods to control and eliminate the infestation. 

Conclusion

Pests are added problems in the workplace, and no one wants to deal with them while also having many tasks to finish for work. Taking action about this problem and seeking professional pest control assistance can help you get rid of unwanted pests and protect your office for the months to come. 

If you need pest control services in Birmingham, you can call us at Willis Pest Control. We have fully qualified technicians you can hire at any time for any type of pest infesting your commercial space. Dial 0121 588 5258 to schedule an appointment.

The post How to Deal With Office Pests: Strategies to Keep Them Away appeared first on Willis Pest Control.

If you suspect that you have rats or mice in your property, it’s important that you act quickly to eliminate the problem. However, it also pays to know the signs of their presence to be sure that you’re dealing with the infestation appropriately.

Here’s a list of signs to look out for to help you make the right call:

The signs of infestation

There are plenty of signs you can keep an eye out for, whether in your home, workplace, or any other type of property.

The first and most obvious sign is that there are droppings. For mice, those droppings will look like grains of rice. Rat dropping will appear similar, although slightly larger. Note that these droppings will stay around for a long time, so a reliable way to test whether they are fresh or old is to pick them up with a glove. If they crumble, they are old and possibly from a previous infestation that has already been addressed. If they are soft and squishy, then the problem is likely ongoing.

Other signs include chewed up materials like shredded food boxes and cardboard, the sound of scurrying in the walls,, and the smell of ammonia caused by their urine.

If you discover any of these signs, it is likely that a rodent infestation is going on, and you must address it immediately.

Addressing the infestation

The actions you will take to address rats and mice will generally be the same for both. Note that when you do discover any of the signs, limit yourself to a maximum of one week for DIY solutions.

The first thing you should do is look for exposed food sources and have them cleaned up and put away immediately. Exposing them in places, like cupboards, will allow the pests to get to them quickly, eat away at your precious food, and leave harmful pathogens behind.

The second thing you should do is to look for their access points. This can include holes in your cupboards, behind appliances, and so on. Once you find any, you can block it up using a few things like steel wool and caulk. For rats, they love to travel through drainage and sewage pipes. Since you cannot block these, you will need to call in pest control to address those possible entry holes.

Speaking of pest control, if you cannot control and eliminate infestation within a week, hire expert help. That way, you will limit the damage you will have to pay for later and ensure the mice and rats do not produce more offspring and become more difficult problems to deal with.

Conclusion

If you spot any of the signs that can indicate a rodent infestation, it’s important to act immediately. Waiting too long will only put you and your property at greater risk. Also, if you do not think you can tackle the issue all by yourself, do not hesitate to phone pest control experts. They will drop by and quickly address the problem for you. Not only that, but they will give you helpful advice to ensure your home stays pest-free for as long as possible.

We at Willis Pest Control are local pest control experts in the West Midlands, are ready to address any pest issues you might be facing. Contact us today and get your pest problem sorted!

The post The Signs of Rodent Infestations and How to Address Them appeared first on Willis Pest Control.

“What are the signs of a rat infestation?”

Similar to other pests, rats are attracted to areas that have unsecured food and scraps that are lying around the kitchen area. If an area around your restaurant has plenty of food and water while having limited to no natural light, then there’s a high chance that rats will see it as a viable breeding area. They can even force their way inside your premises if you don’t have the right security and protection for your entrances and exits.

Rats are common pests that are attracted to restaurants due to the presence of various containers and rooms that can be used for hiding and breeding. Listed below are several signs that rats may be lurking silently in your property:

• Scratching and scurrying noises from walls and ceilings
• Urine staining and rat droppings, around trash areas and food storages
• Gnawed wires or chewed pipes
• Rodent hairs along food storage areas
• Dead rats in dark and damp areas like garbage areas and basements

You should always make a clean sweep of your property to see if these signs are present in your restaurant to prevent rats from breeding unchecked inside your restaurant.

“What’s the danger in having a rat infestation?”

Besides the structural damage and mess that they leave behind, you may also be at risk of spreading foodborne illnesses from rat infections. Listed below are some diseases that rats can spread around their breeding grounds:

• Leptospirosis: This causes headaches, high fever, vomiting, and muscle aches, to name a few. This bacterial disease is deadly when misdiagnosed because it can result in permanent kidney damage, liver failure, and, eventually, death.
• Tularemia: As a bacterial infection carried by different insects and pests, it is a result of being exposed to carcasses of infected animals. It can also be passed on through the contamination of food and water sources by infected sources.
• Streptobacilliosis: Encounters with rabid animals or infected rodents can spread this disease, commonly known as rat-bite fever, which has a 10% mortality rate. It causes fevers, vomiting, and muscle and joint pain. Although fatal, it can be treated with antibiotics if it’s detected early.

“What are the consequences of having a rat infestation?”

Rat infestations need to be addressed immediately because you can pay severe consequences for it. Even if there have been no cases yet of customers getting sick from your food, you will still be liable for penalties and lawsuits when you’ve been discovered of harbouring information about having a rat infestation in your restaurant. You may also be due for considerable fines, which could also lead your business to close as a potential health risk.

Conclusion

The best course of action to prevent rat infestations is to ensure that your properties have pest-proof remedies in place to avoid any chances of allowing pests from invading your property. You also should make sure to keep your areas clean and secure before and after your restaurant’s business hours.

When rats are already nesting in your restaurant, you should immediately seek rat removal services from professional pest control companies. They will make sure to keep your restaurant free from the pests in a humane manner while keeping your goods and equipment safe from any damages.

We are a leading pest control service in the UK that’s experienced in handling different types of pest infestations on commercial properties. If you require a local pest control service in Walsall, get in touch with us today!

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