Rats numbers are on the increase in the UK, particularly in London. The current population is estimated to be in excess of 80 million - that's more rats than people! As a result, rats are frequently invading homes and business premises, especially in the colder months, seeking food, warmth and shelter. They breed rapidly, so swift action is always advised before they have chance to multiply.

The type you are most likely to find in the UK is the Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus). As its name suggests, Brown Rats are generally dark-brown in colour and range in size from 12 to 30 cm in length (without the tail). Their droppings are black in colour, cylindrical and up to 2cm in length. They are typically nocturnal but, if hungry, they may be seen foraging for food during the day.

The main problems associated with rats are:

• The spread of disease: Rats are carriers of bacteria which can cause diseases including the potentially fatal Leptospirosis (Weil's Disease) as well as Hantavirus, Typhus, Meningitis and Salmonella. Hygiene issues are of particular concern to business owners, especially in the hospitality and catering industries, as rats can contaminate work areas and foodstuffs, often resulting in a loss of custom and damage to reputation.
• The damage they cause: Rats cause an estimated £25million of damage in the UK each year to the fabric of buildings and from gnawing through electrical wiring.
• The distress they cause: As well as being a nuisance, they often cause anxiety and distress to home and business owners alike.

What are the best methods of rodent control?

Rat Poison

Rat poison varies considerably in terms of quality and effectiveness. A lot of cheap baits on the market contain poor quality ingredients and have added attractants to encourage bait uptake. The poisons we sell are made from highly palatable food-grade ingredients and contain the maximum strength bromadiolone permitted for use by the UK HSE, so are the strongest rodenticides available to the amateur user.  

Rather than marketing numerous different poisons which can be confusing to the customer, we have chosen to offer just two different types of rat poison, which have proven to deliver the best results: Pest Expert Formula 'B' Rat Killer grain bait and Rat Poison Bait Blocks.

 

Rat Glue Boards

Rat glue traps are the fastest method of rodent control, and are particularly effective in situations when an alternative food source is hampering successful control using poisons or traps, e.g. in food premises or restaurants. Our glue boards we sell are manufactured from a strong plasticised board and an industrial strength adhesive, with an extra large surface area of 34 x 22cm.

As glue boards are unobtrusive rats will run over them without noticing and become stuck to the adhesive. Glue traps must be checked every 12 hours a captured rats must be dispatched humanely.
 

Other Rat Control Products

As well as rat poison and glue traps, we also sell other rat control products including traditional rat traps, humane rat cage traps and ultrasonic rat repellers.

For more details on all our products, please click on the Rat Category tab or the link here. 

Simple steps to effective Rodent Control using Rat Poison

In order to achieve succesful control it is important to make the bait the only food source available to rodents. Please try to ensure you do the following: 

• Move all food stuffs to an inaccessible place or suitable sealed container(s).
• In kitchens, remove all foods from kitchen work surfaces and clear away any visible crumbs or food debris.
• Ensure all food waste is kept in a suitable bin with a fitting lid.

 
Open Baiting with Formula ‘B’ Rat Killer grain bait
Rodents often travel through properties via utility pipes. This enables them to gain access to areas within a building where these pipes emerge. Taking this into account, it is always advisable to place one or two open trays or bait boxes underneath sinks and kitchen unit kickboards (if accessible). Also airing cupboards (if you have one) or any other areas where pipes may appear are a good place to bait.
 
To Use:
Fill each bait tray using Formula ‘B’ rat poison and place trays in secure areas (i.e. under kitchen sinks, beneath kitchen units, in loft spaces etc) where activity has been noticed, to provide open feeding stations for rats/mice. Check bait trays every 7 days and replenish poison as necessary until no more bait is taken. Caution: Open rodenticide baits should NEVER be placed in areas accessible to children and/or animals.
 
Secure Baiting with Formula 'B' or Rat Poison Bait Blocks
Lockable bait boxes should ALWAYS be used in sensitive indoor areas, such as those occupied by pets and/or children, and outdoors to avoid access by non-target species such as birds, cats etc.
 
 Rodents do not have very good eyesight, so they tend to feel their way along the edges of walls. Therefore, for maximum effect, bait stations should ideally be placed around the edges of a room and evenly spaced apart.
 
When baiting outdoors, lockable bait boxes should be placed in areas where rodent activity has been
noticed, or along ‘runs’ / garden perimeters, at 5-10m intervals.
 
Using Formula ‘B’ Rat Poison: To open our standard Rat Bait Boxes, a key can be found on the bottom of each box. Insert the key into each of the two locks on the top of the box and turn a quarter-turn to open. Fill the internal chamer with poison and lock the Bait Station(s) by pressing firmly down on the lid until it clicks into place.
 
Using Bait Blocks: Open the Bait Tunnel(s) using the key provided (see attached sheet for instructions). Put 2 x 28g Blocks onto the metal rods and fix in place in each Bait Tunnel. Lock each Tunnel by pressing firmly down on the lid until it clicks into place.
 
In the event that a person or non-target species should ingest any type of pesticide, please refer to the relevant packaging and contact your local health centre or veterinary surgery immediately.