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Home >> council >> departments >> healthcommunity
Frequently Asked Questions
You are likely to see a rat or its droppings (which are 12mm in length and tapered), though they are mainly active at night. Rats need to gnaw even when not eating to keep their teeth sharp and worn. Sometimes gnaw marks can be seen or you may hear them. They inhabit nests or burrows which are tunnels 7-12 cm in diameter which are often dug under tree roots or sheds and also into compost heaps. Rats leave runs as they tend to follow the same route when travelling. This can be seen as trails through the grass or vegetation and food and tail prints through dust or mud.
What harm do rats do?
Rats carry microbial infections. When they gain entry into your home they can spread diseases such as Salmonellosis and Weils disease (also known as Leptospirosis). It is thought about 30% of rats carry this disease. They will attack food sources, ruining cupboards full of food through contamination and gnawing. It is estimated that 5% of food worldwide is lost through rodent activity. Gnawing can also destroy costly pipes and insulation, as well as creating a fire risk through damaged electrics.
How do I keep rats out
Rats will live in any situation that provides food, shelter and water and are commonly found in sewer systems and gardens but also live in lofts, wall cavities and under floorboards. Close all holes in exterior walls. Ensure there are no openings over 0.5 cm around doors and windows. Install self closing devices on doors frequently used. Beware of openings near the top of buildings such as roof vents, eaves, attic vents etc. They are highly adaptable and mobile, so no property is completely safe from invasion, though there are ways to reduce the chances of your home being invaded. Maintain a tidy garden, keeping possible shelter to rats to a minimum. Try to keep compost heaps in good order, sheds secure and cut back overgrown areas. Maintain your taps and pipes to reduce water in your garden, also check any sewer covers are fitted tightly and in place. Do not leave rubbish where rodents can get at it. A secure shed or sealed bin are recommended. Also make sure that any foods left for other pets or animals (eg bird feeders) are unreachable by rats, which are highly agile.
How do I get rid of rats?
Food source removal is a key component for successful rodent control. Rats eat on average one tenth of their body weight each day - 25 pounds of food per year for the average rat. If you suspect a rat infestation has occurred in your property, contact our Customer Service Centre on 01329 236100 who will arrange for a pest control officer to call. Treating the infestation in residential properties is currently £20 but from the 1st April 2009 there will be no charge. Commercial properties are subject to commercial treatment rates. If you are interested in a commercial pest control contract please contact us on 01329 236100 and ask for pest control. Traps and bait can be purchased commercially but should only be used in accordance with manufacturers'' instructions especially if you have children or pets.
What will the Pest control officer do?
The pest control officers are trained to recognise signs of infestations and will advise you whether there is likely to be a nest nearby or if you have a ''rat run''. After discussing the problem with you the pest control officer will often lay bait in a secure location. After a few days the pest control officer will return to your property to see if the rat has taken the bait. If no bait has been taken, the pest control officer may remove the bait if practicable. If the bait has been taken and the pest control officer feels it necessary they will lay more bait and return again. Once the problem has been resolved the pest control officer will return and collect any spare bait. If they are unable to gain access to the baited area they will leave a card with instructions on how to dispose of unused bait.
Pest Control
This service is currently very busy and we are close to capacity. Some appointments may be available if you call, or you could ring a private pest control company from the phone book, using our prices as a guide.
Wasps, Fleas, Carpet Beetles, Rats and Mice
The Service
Domestic Premises
- The Council provides a free treatment for the eradication of rats in domestic properties. From 1st April 2009 a charge will be payable for mice treatments in domestic properties. The charge will be made prior to the treatment unless you are in receipt of job seekers allowance or income/pension support and in this case the treatment is free. If this is the case, please tell our agent when phoning to book an appointment or for further advice on 01329 236100. Proof of benefits will be required.
- Insect infestations eg wasps, fleas or carpet beetles can be treated but this is a chargeable service. From 1st April 2009 a charge will be made prior to the treatment unless you are on job seekers allowance or income/pension support. If this is the case please tell our agent when phoning to book an appointment or for further advice on 01329 236100. Proof of benefits will be required.
- The Council's Pest Control Officer will visit between 8.30 am and 4.00 pm, although appointments will be made for am (8.30 - 12:00) or pm (12:30 - 16:00) only. Unfortunately we are unable to provide timed or weekend appointments.
- A fee will be charged in all cases for missed first appointments unless 24 hours notice is given.
- We are unable to provide a service in respect of pigeons, squirrels, foxes and bees. In the case of bees, it is advisable to contact Fareham and District Beekeepers Association on 01329 289668 (John Brown) for Fareham Central and Eastern Wards or 01489 885159 (Mike Holloway) - Fareham Western Wards.
- The Council has powers under the Prevention of Damage by Pests 1949 to ensure that landowners keep their property free from rats and mice or any items that may provide harbourage for them. If you have a complaint of this nature please contact us for further information.
Commercial Premises
The Council provides a chargeable pest control service for commercial premises. This will be charged per hour plus materials. However, if you are interested in a pest control contract please contact us on 01329 236100 and ask for Pest Control.
Helping Yourself
- If you feed wild animals and birds in your garden, please remember the food may also attract rodents to the area. We suggest that you put the food in sturdy, pest proof containers above the ground with fallen debris being cleared from the ground on a regular basis.
- Rats are well known inhabitants of the foul water sewerage system, so please ensure you maintain in good repair, any pipe work for which you are responsible.
Further information is available regarding:
- Bug identification (this is an external hyperlink)
- Badgers (this is an external hyperlink)
- Bees
- Bees and Wasps (Living with)
- Brown Rats
- Brown Tail Moths
- Carpet Beetles or Fur Beetles
- Cockroaches
- Earwigs
- Foxes (Urban)
- Fleas
- Mice
- Psocids
- Rats
- Silverfish
- Squirrels
- Tick Bites and Lyme Disease
- Wasps
If you would like to use this service please telephone us on 01329 236100 or e-mail regulatory@fareham.gov.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a rat infestation?You are likely to see a rat or its droppings (which are 12mm in length and tapered), though they are mainly active at night. Rats need to gnaw even when not eating to keep their teeth sharp and worn. Sometimes gnaw marks can be seen or you may hear them. They inhabit nests or burrows which are tunnels 7-12 cm in diameter which are often dug under tree roots or sheds and also into compost heaps. Rats leave runs as they tend to follow the same route when travelling. This can be seen as trails through the grass or vegetation and food and tail prints through dust or mud.
What harm do rats do?
Rats carry microbial infections. When they gain entry into your home they can spread diseases such as Salmonellosis and Weils disease (also known as Leptospirosis). It is thought about 30% of rats carry this disease. They will attack food sources, ruining cupboards full of food through contamination and gnawing. It is estimated that 5% of food worldwide is lost through rodent activity. Gnawing can also destroy costly pipes and insulation, as well as creating a fire risk through damaged electrics.
How do I keep rats out
Rats will live in any situation that provides food, shelter and water and are commonly found in sewer systems and gardens but also live in lofts, wall cavities and under floorboards. Close all holes in exterior walls. Ensure there are no openings over 0.5 cm around doors and windows. Install self closing devices on doors frequently used. Beware of openings near the top of buildings such as roof vents, eaves, attic vents etc. They are highly adaptable and mobile, so no property is completely safe from invasion, though there are ways to reduce the chances of your home being invaded. Maintain a tidy garden, keeping possible shelter to rats to a minimum. Try to keep compost heaps in good order, sheds secure and cut back overgrown areas. Maintain your taps and pipes to reduce water in your garden, also check any sewer covers are fitted tightly and in place. Do not leave rubbish where rodents can get at it. A secure shed or sealed bin are recommended. Also make sure that any foods left for other pets or animals (eg bird feeders) are unreachable by rats, which are highly agile.
How do I get rid of rats?
Food source removal is a key component for successful rodent control. Rats eat on average one tenth of their body weight each day - 25 pounds of food per year for the average rat. If you suspect a rat infestation has occurred in your property, contact our Customer Service Centre on 01329 236100 who will arrange for a pest control officer to call. Treating the infestation in residential properties is currently £20 but from the 1st April 2009 there will be no charge. Commercial properties are subject to commercial treatment rates. If you are interested in a commercial pest control contract please contact us on 01329 236100 and ask for pest control. Traps and bait can be purchased commercially but should only be used in accordance with manufacturers'' instructions especially if you have children or pets.
What will the Pest control officer do?
The pest control officers are trained to recognise signs of infestations and will advise you whether there is likely to be a nest nearby or if you have a ''rat run''. After discussing the problem with you the pest control officer will often lay bait in a secure location. After a few days the pest control officer will return to your property to see if the rat has taken the bait. If no bait has been taken, the pest control officer may remove the bait if practicable. If the bait has been taken and the pest control officer feels it necessary they will lay more bait and return again. Once the problem has been resolved the pest control officer will return and collect any spare bait. If they are unable to gain access to the baited area they will leave a card with instructions on how to dispose of unused bait.
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Fareham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Hampshire, PO16 7AZ
Tel: +44 (0)1329 236100 | Mobile Text/Photo: 07876 131415 | Fax: +44 (0)1329 821770
