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Reddish/brown fur on its back and a light belly, however Rats colours vary greatly.An adult Rat has body length of up to 20cm with a scaly tail of up to 12cm. Rats have a blunt nose and small ears. Their favourite foods are cereal products although they will eat almost anything, around 30g of food a day and drink 60ml of liquid. A great deal of damage is done by gnawing electric cables and ripping open packets, fouling food-stuffs with urine and droppings presents a real danger. Life Cycle Rats generally have 7 or 8 young per litter and 3 to 6 litters a year, with a gestation period of about 3 weeks. Taking only10 to 12 weeks from birth to sexual maturity means that the Rat population can rise at a truly astounding rate. Where do Rats Live?
Practically anywhere, providing they can find they can find food, water and shelter.
In your home, Rats will live in loft spaces, wall cavities, cellars or under floorboards and in the garden under wooden sheds is a favourite place. Rats will burrow in to compost heaps and grassy banks or under ponds, but again anywhere that offers them shelter with nearby food and water. Rats are also commonly found living in sewer systems and are good climbers and swimmers. Are Rats Dangerous?
In a word Yes. The greatest danger with Rats is that they can transmit many diseases to humans. The more commonly known being Weils Disease (Leptospirosis) This can cause flu like symptoms and in some cases is fatal. But Rats carry many more chronic diseases including Salmonella Plague Tuberculosis Cryptosporidiosis E.Coli & Foot and Mouth Disease Rodents carry diseases that may be serious or even life-threatening to people. These may be caught by contact with surfaces or water contaminated with rodent urine. You should wear waterproof gloves when working in areas that may be infested. Cover cuts and abrasions on exposed parts of the body with waterproof dressings. Wash exposed skin thoroughly before eating, drinking or smoking and after completing work. If you cut yourself, clean and dress the wound immediately. If you regularly work in rodent-infested areas, your employer should provide you with the HSE pocket card, Leptospirosis: Are you at risk?. Alternatively, you may obtain one from HSE Books (see 'Further reading'). How do I know I have Rats
Rat Droppings - can be 12mm long and resemble a 'spindle' shape.
Rat Tracks - Rats travel along the same routes and leave trails through grass.
Rat Footprints and tail swipes - are seen on muddy or dusty surfaces.
Smear marks from grease and dirt from Rats coats can be seen on corners of walls and surfaces.
Rat Burrows - the entrances to holes are approximately 7.5 - 10 cm in diameter and seen at the side of Sheds etc
Rat Gnawing - rats gnaw all the time, even on non-food material, to wear down theirfront teeth.
Rat Control
Resistance to anticoagulants has been confirmed in some rat populations in agricultural areas, although the position in urban environments is unknown. Treatment failures are more likely to be due to inappropriate bait, inadequate quantities of bait, poor bait placement, bait shyness or re-invasion from surrounding areas. Legislation lays down strict guidance for the control of Rats, this is for several reasons including the risk of rodenticides falling in to the wrong hands or affecting non target species, resistance and contamination Apart from transmitting disease, rats can cause damage to buildings and other structures through gnawing and burrowing.
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