Rat Facts.
Click HERE to see a short video of a Rat showing interest in a new bait station in its territory. Due to Rats being neophobic they wont enter the bait station until it has been left alone for a few days without moving.
Rat facts to know before you start to treat or ignore a rat problem.
Rats have 7–8 young per litter, and between 3–6 litters a year.
The gestation period is about 3 weeks.
It only takes 10–12 weeks from birth to reach sexual maturity.
Preferred food is cereals, which is why you will find them near to chicken runs and bird feeders.
They will eat around 30g of food a day and drink 60ml.
Most species of rats live in nests comprised of an alpha male, several females and the young rats. The dominant male will prevent other males from mating with his group of females, and watches out for the family.
Many rat families have multiple nest sites, and move between them depending on the availability of food and a good water source. Access to water is crucial for rats.
Rats normally travel up to 300 feet from the nest in search of food and water and to patrol their territory.
However, if food and water dry up, they will venture much farther to get what they need.
As a pest controller we would always work to the principle that she mates multiple times today to ensure she is pregnant, 28 days later she gives birth to between 6 – 10 young, the next day she mates again and 28 days later she gives birth and the last lot of off spring are off the teat and the new ones take over whilst the others have to fend for themselves, when they are approx. 3 months old they are sexually mature.
The average rat in the wild will live for around one year, with female rats often outliving the males.
Rats occupy a wide range of habitats, often associated with human sites, especially farms, industrial sites, rubbish tips, allotments, smallholdings sewage farms, and sewers. This reflects their preference for sites that provide an abundance of food, especially cereals and waste human food.
What time of year are rats most active UK? The rat and mouse population is at it's highest by late Summer/early Autumn. As autumn progresses the food sources start to dry up and the vegetation dies back. Rats and mice will feel the cold and will now start to seek cover, alternative food and warmth. This is when they move into buildings.
How many rats can 2 rats produce in 3 years? ............. For more information about the treatment procedure etc. please purchase one of my DIY Pest control books.