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Rats

What do they look like?

The common rat has coarse, reddish/brown/grey fur on its back and a light belly, but colour can vary. An adult rat has body length of approximately up to 19cm plus a scaly tail of up to 12cm. They have a blunt nose and small ears.

Where do they live?

Common rats live where they can find food, water and shelter.

In homes, they can live in loft spaces, wall cavities, cellars or under floorboards although they do not normally live in occupied homes.

In gardens they will burrow in to compost heaps and grassy banks or under sheds, back of ponds and even burrow into rockeries.

They are also commonly found living in sewer systems and are good climbers and swimmers.

What are the signs of infestation?

  • Seeing rats.
  • Droppings, which can be 12mm long and resemble a 'spindle' shape.
  • Tracks - rats travel along the same routes and leave trails through grass.
  • Footprints and tail swipes on muddy or dusty surfaces.
  • Smear marks from grease and dirt from their coats can be seen on corners of walls and surfaces.
  • Burrows - entrance holes approximately 7.5 - 10 cm in diameter at the side of sheds, in grassy banks, under tree roots, log piles, edge of paving stones or around drain covers.
  • Gnawing - rats gnaw all the time, even on non-food material, to wear down their front teeth.

What do they eat?

Their favourite foods are cereal products although they will eat almost anything.  Most of the damage they do is by gnawing and ripping open packets.  They also foul food with urine and droppings.

Why must rats be controlled?

Rats can transmit many diseases to humans. The main disease they carry is Weils Disease. This can cause flu like symptoms when bacteria enter the body through cuts in the skin or through contact with contaminated water. They are also carriers of salmonella and rat bite fever amongst others.  Apart from transmitting disease, rats can cause damage to buildings and other structures through gnawing and burrowing.

Preventative treatment

  • Remove potential nesting sites by keeping gardens clean and tidy and cutting back overgrown areas.
  • Do not leave out food late at night for wild birds and animals, as this will encourage rats. If you wish to feed them then take in food at night and provide fresh in the morning.
  • Keep your home in good repair so rats cannot gain access to it.
  • Ensure drain covers are in place and undamaged.
  • Do not leave household waste where rats can get at it.

Treatment the council provides

  • If you think you have rats, fully trained Pest Control Officers will give you advice, survey your home and provide treatment using a safe modern rodenticide approved for use in occupied properties.
  • Although successful treatment is usually achieved over 5-8 days follow up visits will be made to make sure the treatment has worked. The Pest Control Officer will tell you if further treatment is needed.
  • We also periodically plan and treat rats in the sewers throughout the borough alongside other water authorities.

If you see a rat you should report it to us immediately.

Charges

The treatment of rats is free of charge for domestic premises.

How to contact us

If you would like further advice or need to make a pest control appointment please contact us:

First Stop Shop
Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1EU

Telephone 01922 744320
Minicom 0845 1112910
Email contactcentre@walsall.gov.uk

If you need help treating a rat infestation or have any further questions, contact us on 01922 744320. For householders this is a free service.

For further information please view our rats factsheet (PDF 68KB).