The most common species of rat in Britain is the Brown Rat. The Brown Rat is brownish grey in colour, with a grey underbelly. Their head & body measures between 20cm to 27cm in length, with the tail being between 16.5cm to 20.5cm. They are of a large & thickset build, with a blunt shaped nose.

Rats tend to live underground; they're also known to nest in drains & sewers, or anywhere with a food supply & a warm undisturbed nesting environment. Rats breed rapidly & in large numbers, especially when there is a regular food & water supply so it is important to get them dealt with as soon as possible.

Rats can cause damage to both your property & your health. Rats are a major health risk as they carry several diseases. The most infamous disease carried by rats is the plague, but the most common today is Weils disease or Leptospirosis. These diseases are transmitted to humans via contact with water or food services contaminated with rat urine/faeces, feet or fur. Other diseases include Salmonella, and parasites such as Tapeworm.

Rats can also cause considerable damage to property by shredding materials & making holes. Due to the constant growth of their two front teeth, rats need to chew a lot which can mean serious damage from floods & fires due to rats gnawing or water pipes or electrical wiring.

• Droppings (grouped or scattered)
• Footprints
• Gnawing marks through cables, foods & hard materials
• Musty / stale odours
• Noises such as squeaking, scratching & rustling
• Small mounds consisting of dirt & urine
• Smear marks (usually along skirting boards or holes)