APC Management

About

There are two species of rat in Britain, Rattus Norvegicus commonly known as the Brown Rat or Common Rat and Rattus Rattus known as the Black Rat or Ship Rat which is now rarely found in the UK.

Rats carry many nasty diseases which they can spread to humans, normally through their urine  including; Leptospirosis or Weil's disease, Salmonella, Listeria, Toxoplasma gondii and Hantavirus. They are clever, opportunists feeding on numerous food stuffs and can cause significant  depletion and spoilage of food stores e.g grain stores on farms and contamination of food in factories. Like other rodents rats must gnaw constantly to keep their incisor teeth worn down. Because of this they can do enormous damage to property, like chewing through wires which can then cause fires and electrical damage.

Rats are a common problem around homes, gardens, farms and business premises. 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 sometimes found around ports and dockland areas.

There is a legal obligation under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 to keep premises rodent free, or, if rodents pose a threat to health or property, to report infestations to the local authority.