Rats

Rats are a worldwide pest due to their capacity to cause structural damage, to spread life-threatening diseases, and to compete with man for food.

The species most commonly found in Europe is known as the Norway Rat (Rattus noivegicus). A less commonly-found species, the Black or Roof Rat, (Rattus rattus), is largely restricted to port areas.

Rats live alongside man, invading his buildings and eating his food.

Rats transmit diseases which are potentially fatal to man such as Weil’s disease and murine typhus. They also carry organisms which can damage man’s health such as Salmonella bacteria, viruses and parasites such as nematodes and worms.

Damage by rats to the fabric of buildings can be costly. Fires can easily be started after a rat has gnawed a cable. Gas and water pipes are also at risk and rat burrowing can undermine foundations and damage water courses.

Physically very strong, rats have been known to survive for two days in open water, to swim a mile in open sea and to get through a gap of less than 25mm.