Rats (Rattus norvegicus)
Common Rats – Norway Rats – Sewer Rats – Brown Rats
The main rat specie found in Ireland is the Norway Rat (Rattus Norvegicus), also called Brown Rat, Common Rat or Sewer Rat. Common Rats are carriers of zoonotic diseases, i.e. which can be passed from animal to human.
Rats eat all sorts of foods (omnivores) ranging from grain and cereals to leftover takeaway foods. An adult will consume up to 30g of food per day. This is why it is essential to store away all foods, including rubbish bags that should never be left lying on the ground. Rats are also neophobic, i.e. they are afraid of new objects and may take days before venturing into bait stations, rat traps, or eat poison bait.
Appearance
Brown rats are gray, brown or black, with small eyes and ears. Their body can reach up to 25cm in length, with an additional 21cm for the tail (always shorter than the body, unlike mice). Adult male rats weigh up to 400g and adult females up to 250g.
Habits
- Rats are very agile and easily climb vertical surfaces, often entering houses through walls 0r air vents apertures in the Autumn when outside food sources become more scarce.
- Norway rats live in sewers fields, farmlands and in buildings/structures. Rats in gardens are also frequent issue, especially near or in compost bins.
- A female rat is capable of giving birth to four to six litters per year, each containing five to ten offspring. These young rats can reproduce within three months after birth. In one year a pair of rats can produce a population of up to 700.
Threats
Rats are extremely destructive, causing problems such as electrical fires from gnawing on wiring & contamination of food products. Rats are notorious for water contamination and the transmission of diseases, such as the Bubonic plague, typhus fever and Salmonella.
Rat Prevention
- Keep outdoor bins well sealed and away from houses and buildings.
- Remove water, debris and other rat harbourage opportunities.
- Seal any access holes larger than 1/4 inch.
Rat Control
Rat treatments depend on the location, the level of infestation, and the presence of non-target species in the area.
Rat control may include the use of rodenticides, spring traps, cages, sewer valves, building proofing, bait stations, etc.
Owl Pest Control Technicians have extensive knowledge and experience in dealing with rats from any area around your home or business, e.g.: rats in ceilings, walls, rats under kitchen presses, burrows under floor boards.
We also offer a full range DIY rat extermination products below.
ASK A RODENT CONTROL SPECIALIST
DIY Rat Treatment Products
Want to treat a rat infestation by yourself?
Click on the links below for more details or to buy Rat Treatments and Control products online.
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Wire Mesh Air Vent Covers – Rats – Mice – Insects
€10.52 – €19.21 (ex.VAT ) Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Ratflap® Rat Blocker 4″, 5″, 6″, 9″, 12″
€3.65 – €563.50 (ex.VAT ) Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Contact Owl Pest Control
Do you have a rat problem and need to talk to an expert?
Contact Owl Pest Control today!
Unit 19, Tallaght Business Centre, Whitestown Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24. D24 TD42
