BPCA news archive

28 November 2017

Pest advice for controlling Rats


Brown Rat 4Appearance

The Brown Rat is the larger of the rats in Britain, often weighing over half a kilo and measuring about 23cm, without counting the tail. It has a blunt muzzle, small hair-covered ears and a tail that is shorter than its body. The Black Rat weighs half as much and is shorter. It has a pointed muzzle, large, almost hairless ears, a more slender body and a long thin tail that is longer than its body.




Brown Rats live in any situation that provides food, water and shelter. In homes, they will live in roof spaces, wall cavities or under floorboards. In gardens, they will burrow into grassy banks or under sheds. Brown Rats are often found living in sewer systems. Black Rats are rare and are occasionally found in shipping ports.


Rats feed mostly at night, and an average rat will eat 50g of food a day. Preferred foods are cereal products, although rats are omnivorous and will eat almost anything that humans eat.

Why-you-need-domestic-pest-controlWhy control Rats?





Brown Rat 3How to prevent Rats



How to get rid of Rats


black rat 2However, if you decide to carry out the work yourself, then you can buy amateur use poisons and traps from a hardware store or garden centre. Most rats are wary of new objects such as traps or poisons placed in their environment and will avoid them for a period before exploring them, so don't expect instant success. When placing poison or traps, make sure they are in a safe and secure place out of reach of children and pets.

WARNING: When using rodenticides always follow the instructions on the label, and importantly search for and dispose of any dead rodents in a safe manner.

Having problems with Rats?

Use a trained professional pest controller.

Search for your local BPCA member

Source: A-Z