It has been said that Londoners are never more than 6 feet away from a rat! Ealing mum, Susan Treftub, got the shock of her life when reportedly 100 rats jumped out on her as she walked through Blondin Park in the summer.

Repeated lockdowns have forced rats out into public view and into domestic properties due to the lack of commercial waste for them to feed on and nest in. Pest control experts across the UK have seen a huge increase in rat sightings and the rodent population in general. Although it’s hard to know exactly, estimates think there could be up to 120 million rats in this country.

Rats carry lots of diseases that could potentially be passed onto humans. We look at what diseases rats carry, whether or not rats have a phobia of traps, and if they really can come up through the drains and end up in your toilets.

Rats are growing!

Other pest controllers have recently reported finding rats as big as cats!

Although they are not growing through evolution, rats can become enormous if their environment is good. For city rats, an abundance of fat-rich foods such as fast foods, fats and cooking oils are perfect for them to grow bigger. Coupled with good, safe harbourage and a water supply, the rats will live a full and healthy life. If all of these things come together and there are no control measures in place then rats can get pretty big!

At Eradipest, we have seen some whoppers, especially at the local farms we look after. 

Which diseases can rats pass onto humans?

It is unusual for a rat to bite a human, and diseases are normally passed to us by coming into contact with rat urine, or by eating food contaminated by rats.

Rats would normally only bite as a reflex to feeling threatened, but if this does happen be sure to wash the bite out thoroughly, apply antiseptic, and seek medical advice.

It is fairly well known that rats cause Weil’s disease (Leptospirosis). People, and dogs, are warned against swimming in areas frequented by rats such as lakes and rivers to prevent ingesting contaminated water.

Humans can contract Salmonella and Listeria from eating food that has been contaminated by rats.

Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) can be contracted from handling parasite-infected soil or animal faeces (usually cats but from rat droppings too). Whilst this can be a mild disease for most adults, it is particularly harmful to pregnant women, children, and others with a weakened immune system.

Hantavirus, of which there are several types worldwide depending on the originating animal, can be passed on from rats to humans by way of a bite, urine, or faeces.

Do rats have a phobia of traps?

Rats can easily find their way into your property by way of water pipes, vents, and gaps in walls, even unused underground pipes. Blocking up access to rats is vital as part of pest prevention but if they are already on your property then traps are a traditional solution for dealing with them..

The trouble is that rats are very wary of anything new, and Eradipest’s Tim Bostock believes that rats have a phobia of traps. Like humans, they have a phobia of things that might cause them harm and may avoid a trap until they are used to the sight and smell of the device. 

Professional pest technicians like our own dedicated team have other options such as baits, otherwise known as rodenticide.  However, we will always discuss our recommended solution with the customer first to see what their preference is.

Could a rat end up in my toilet?

Yes, rats could end up in your toilet! Whilst we don’t want to panic anyone or deter them from using their toilets, rats can access your house via the underground pipework and drains that connect it to the water and sewage systems.

This can be rectified by installing a one way value that takes waste and water away but stops anything from getting back in.  You can find out more in our blog about how to get rid of rats in drains.

Conclusion

It is vital that you eliminate any rat infestation as quickly and efficiently as possible to prevent diseases, and to ensure effective removal. After all, no-one wants a surprise when sitting on the loo!

Call us for quick, effective and permanent rat removal, and if you have any other rat questions, do get in touch.