Rats their habits, issues, myths and fascinating facts

If you've ever spotted a rat in or around your home or business, especially in London and the surrounding areas, it's easy to feel concerned. These creatures are often surrounded by misconceptions, but understanding their behaviour is key to effective control and prevention. At Bespoke Pest Control, based in Stanstead Abbotts, we deal with rat issues year-round, so let's take a closer look at what you need to know.

What Do Rats Actually Do? Their Habits Explained

In the UK, the two most common species we encounter are the Brown Rat (often called the Common Rat) and the Black Rat, though the latter is much less frequent these days, particularly in London where Brown Rats dominate urban environments.

- Nocturnal by nature: Rats are most active at night, which is why you might hear scratching in walls or lofts after dark rather than seeing them during the day.

- Excellent climbers and swimmers: They can scale rough surfaces with ease and hold their breath for up to three minutes, one reason they often find their way into properties via drains or overgrown vegetation close to buildings.

- Social creatures: Rats live in colonies, so if you spot one, there's a good chance more are nearby. They establish hierarchies within groups and communicate using a combination of sounds, scents and body language.

- Constant gnawing: Their incisor teeth grow continuously (around 4-5 inches per year), so they chew on almost anything, wood, plastic, even small metal pipes, to keep them trimmed down.

The Real Issues Rats Can Cause

It's not just the sight of a rat that's problematic, they pose genuine risks to both health and property:

- Health hazards: Rats can carry a range of diseases that can be transmitted to humans, including Leptospirosis (Weil's disease), which is spread through contact with their urine. They can also contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria like Salmonella.

- Property damage: As mentioned, their gnawing can damage structural elements of buildings, electrical wiring (which poses a fire risk) and water pipes. In London's older properties, this can be particularly costly to repair.

- Reputation risk: For businesses, especially those in food service or hospitality, a rat sighting can severely damage customer trust and lead to enforcement action from environmental health authorities.

Dispelling Common Myths About Rats

There are plenty of old wives' tales surrounding rats, let's set the record straight on a few of the most widespread:

- Myth: Only dirty places get rats

Fact: Rats are attracted to food, water and shelter, not dirt. Even clean homes and businesses can be targeted if there's easy access to these essentials. In London, where properties are close together, rats can move between buildings regardless of how tidy they are.

- Myth: Cats are enough to keep rats away

Fact: While some cats may chase rats, most domestic cats aren't effective at controlling established colonies. Rats are often larger and more cautious than mice, and will avoid areas where they feel threatened rather than being deterred long-term.

- Myth: Rats will attack humans

Fact: Rats are generally shy and will avoid contact with people. They only become aggressive if cornered or protecting their young, attacks on humans are extremely rare in the UK.

- Myth: Poison is the best way to get rid of rats

Fact: While rodenticides can be effective when used correctly, they're not always the best solution – especially in areas where pets or wildlife could be at risk. Professional pest controllers will assess each situation and use a combination of methods including trapping, proofing and habitat modification for the safest and most sustainable results.

Interesting Facts About UK Rats

Rats might not be everyone's favourite animal, but there's no denying they're remarkable creatures:

- A single pair of rats can produce up to 2,000 descendants in just one year if left unchecked.

- Rats have an incredible sense of smell, they can detect food from great distances and are even used in some parts of the world to sniff out landmines and tuberculosis.

- In London, rat populations tend to rise in winter as the weather gets colder and they seek warm shelter indoors.

- Brown Rats can travel up to 300 feet from their nest in search of food, which is why treating just one area isn't always enough to solve a problem.

When Should You Call in the Professionals?

If you notice signs of rats, such as droppings (small, dark and spindle-shaped), gnaw marks, scratching noises or burrows near your property, it's best to act quickly. At Bespoke Pest Control, we offer tailored solutions for both residential and commercial clients across London and Hertfordshire, We'll carry out a thorough survey, identify how rats are gaining access, and implement a plan to eliminate the problem and prevent it from returning.