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Rats are reportedly on the increase this autumn, due to a combination of wetter weather and cooler temperatures. Rats are most likely to seek food and shelter indoors as they abandon their summer habitats for somewhere warmer and drier for the winter. Lofts, garages and sheds are particular favourites, and rats can gain entry through gaps of 15mm or more, so unguarded vents and gaps in eaves and roofs are especially vulnerable.<\/p>\n
Rats can cause gnawing damage to electrical wiring, posing a fire hazard, and will foul water tanks and spread diseases.<\/p>\n
The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) says it is much easier to prevent an infestation than to get rid of one and recommends some simple preventative measures that can reduce the risk.<\/p>\n
Pest<\/strong><\/td>\n| Risks<\/strong><\/td>\n | Local Authority area with highest call-out rate<\/strong><\/td>\n | Call-outs per 1,000 population<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Rats<\/td>\n | Weil’s Disease, leptospirosis, salmonella, toxoplasmosis, Hantavirus<\/td>\n | Bridgend<\/td>\n | 20.47<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Mice<\/td>\n | Salmonella, listeria<\/td>\n | Liverpool<\/td>\n | 8.55<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Wasps<\/td>\n | Allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, Lyme Disease, Malaria<\/td>\n | Stockport<\/td>\n | 6.88<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Other Insects (fleas, beetles, flies, lice, moths)<\/td>\n | Assorted<\/td>\n | Dundee<\/td>\n | 6.87<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Black Garden Ant<\/td>\n | Bites, stings, venom (in Pharoah Ants: bacteria including Salmonella)<\/td>\n | South Tyneside<\/td>\n | 6.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Birds<\/td>\n | Aggressive behaviour, noise<\/td>\n | Angus<\/td>\n | 3.86<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Bedbugs<\/td>\n | Blood feeder, irritations, reactions to bites<\/td>\n | Tower Hamlets<\/td>\n | 2.80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Cockroaches<\/td>\n | Food contamination, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, coliforms<\/td>\n | Hackney<\/td>\n | 2.29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Other mammals (badgers, foxes, moles, rabbits, squirrels)<\/td>\n | Assorted<\/td>\n | Dundee<\/td>\n | 0.97<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n | Check to see how your Local Authority<\/a> can help you deal with pests.<\/p>\n PropertySurveying.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" |