It is the call every homeowner dreads making: "I think I have a rat." In urban areas like Cardiff, the proximity to the docks and the river means the rodent population is always active. Understanding why rats hide inside your house is the first step in reclaiming your home from these unwanted intruders.
Why Rats Choose Your Home
Rats don't enter your home because it's dirty; they enter because it offers three things they need: food, water, and warmth. During the colder months in South Wales, the "warmth" factor becomes the biggest draw.
Rats hide inside your house in secluded areas like wall cavities, under floorboards, and in the loft. They are masters of stealth, often living in a property for weeks before the occupants realize they are there. If you suspect activity, it is vital to check for the signs of rodent infestation immediately.
The Danger of Rats in the Walls
When rats are inside your structure, they are more than just a hygiene risk. They have a biological need to gnaw. This can lead to:
- Electrical Fires: Rats frequently chew through the plastic coating on wires, leading to short circuits.
- Flooding: They can chew through modern plastic plumbing pipes, causing slow leaks that go unnoticed for months.
- Structural Weakness: In extreme cases, they can undermine the integrity of timber beams.
Eliminating the Problem: Cardiff Pest Control
Simply putting down a few traps is rarely enough to clear a colony. Professional pest control Cardiff uses a "multi-barrier" approach. We use high-grade rodenticides that are more effective than store-bought brands, and we place them in secure bait stations.
The most important part of our job is "exclusion." We find the holes they used to get in—often around waste pipes or under the eaves—and seal them with steel wool and cement. This ensures that once we get rid of rats, they stay out for good.
FAQs
- How do I know if the rat has gone?
We use "tracking dust" and non-toxic monitoring baits. If we see no new footprints or bite marks for several days after the final treatment, we can confidently say the infestation is cleared.
- Is it safe to have rat bait in my house with a dog?
Yes, when handled by professionals. We use lockable, tamper-resistant bait stations that are designed to keep children and pets away from the bait. We also place them in areas like lofts and crawlspaces where your pets cannot reach.
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