Discovering a rat nest is a highly unpleasant experience. Not only that, it can also be extremely dangerous. There are several reasons for this. In this post we’ll explain what they are, as well as why this problem is best left to the professionals.
What to do if you discover a rat nest
Disturbing a rat nest is something you really want to avoid. And, in order to minimise the risk of stumbling upon a nest and disturbing it by accident, you will need to know where this could happen. Rats mostly nest in places where humans do not often go. They also like places that are dark and near water or food. Places like this can include your attic, storerooms, under decking, crawlspaces and inside walls. Other places where rats may nest include sheds and garages. Also, overgrown gardens can harbour rodents.
At first, you may not necessarily realise you’re looking at a nest if you come across one. This is because the rat nest might just look like a pile of twigs or rubbish. So how do you recognise a rat nest? If you look closely, you’ll see that the nest materials have either a circular, or ball-like shape. The twigs will also be woven together tightly. Something else you should look for is a definite entrance point. There may also be other types of rubbish woven into the nest. This could include things like newspaper and cardboard.
What can happen if you do disturb one of these nests?
Well, depending on the number of rats in the colony, they could become aggressive. The rats will want to protect their nests and their offspring, and could end up biting you. This is why it’s a lot better to leave rats alone if you come across a nest. Another reason to steer well clear is because rats carry a number of diseases. If you are bitten you could become seriously ill.
Another reason why you should avoid handling nests is that they could be contaminated. Rats carry lice, ticks and fleas, and their nests are riddled with bacteria. For all of these reasons, it’s always better to call in a rat control technician. Our London pest control experts have the expertise and equipment needed to handle this issue safely. We know how to handle rat nests appropriately, and how to trap rats or exterminate them in the most efficient way.
Photo of nest courtesy of Tjflex2 under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0