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For pest control professionals, understanding rat behaviour is crucial in developing effective strategies to combat infestations. Rats are intelligent, adaptable, and social creatures, making them formidable pests. This blog delves into their nesting habits, feeding behaviour, social structures, and reproduction to provide insights that can aid in controlling these persistent rodents.
Nesting Habits
Rats are resourceful nest builders, preferring dark, secluded areas near food and water sources. They often use shredded materials like paper, fabric, and vegetation to construct their nests. Understanding these preferences can help in identifying potential nesting sites in properties.
Feeding Behaviour
Rats are opportunistic feeders with a diet that includes grains, fruits, meats, and even non-food items like soap and paper. They are known to hoard food, which can be a telltale sign of an infestation.
Social Structure and Hierarchy
Rats live in hierarchical social groups, with dominant rats having priority access to food and nesting sites. This social structure means that disrupting a rat population can be challenging. When dominant rats are removed, either through natural causes or human intervention, the social structure undergoes a rapid reorganisation. Subordinate rats, previously restricted by the presence of dominant individuals, seize the opportunity to rise in rank. This adaptability makes it particularly difficult to manage rat populations, as the removal of a few individuals does not significantly impact the overall stability or numbers of the group. Instead, it often results in a temporary disruption followed by a quick recovery as new hierarchies are established.
The highly social nature of rats also means that they communicate effectively within their groups, warning each other of dangers and sharing information about food sources.
Reproduction
Rats reproduce rapidly, with a female capable of producing up to 12 litters per year, each containing 6-12 pups. This high reproductive rate means that infestations can escalate quickly if not addressed promptly. Continuous monitoring and early intervention are key.
Given their short gestation period of about 21-23 days, and the ability of females to become pregnant again almost immediately after giving birth, a single pair of rats can lead to a population explosion within months.
This reproductive prowess is compounded by the fact that pups reach sexual maturity in just 5 weeks, ensuring that even a small initial population can grow exponentially if left unchecked.
How RatGate Devices Aid in Control
A RatGate is a highly effective rodent blocker that is installed directly into the drainage system, creating a physical barrier that prevents rats from entering or re-entering properties through via drains (their favourite route into properties), whilst still allowing water and waste to flow freely in the opposite direction.
One of the unique features of the RatGate is its patented liftable flap mechanism. The RatGate is the only product on the market that allows you to open the flap from the top of the manhole, a crucial feature for any rodding or camera investigations that may be needed in the future. This innovative feature means that there is no need to remove the RatGate from the drain whilst work is being undertaken.
Conclusion
By understanding rat behaviour and using innovative solutions like RatGate, pest control professionals can significantly enhance their effectiveness in managing rat infestations. To learn more about RatGate and how it can help in your pest control efforts, visit ratgate.co.uk.
