Rats have a long and close association with humans. They can transmit disease as well as damage food and property. In the UK they can transmit Leptospiral Jaundice (Weil’s disease). This is carried in the urine of some female rats and can enter the body through cuts in the skin. If your premises have a rat infestation and you get severe flu-like symptoms accompanied by a splitting headache, it is imperative you consult a doctor.

Rats can carry a number of other infectious agents too, and can easily transmit them onto areas such as kitchen surfaces and bathrooms. Another potential problem for people living in blocks of flats is that rats teeth grow continuously and they need to chew to keep them sharpened. They can chew through pipes, cables, plaster and softer brick.

Sometimes rats live in sewers; they can emerge into blocks when sewers flood.

For all of these reasons, residents’ associations, managing agents and RMCs each have a responsibility to ensure their blocks are free of vermin. In many cases this is done via a Pest Control Contractor and a service contract. One company offering such services is Microbee.

Most Microbee contracts include an initial survey and an annual quality audit. A qualified Biologist from the company will visit the premises, work out which areas are at risk, use their knowledge of rodent problems in the local area to decide what poisons will be most effective and, in later visits, check that technicians are delivering services to an acceptable standard and that the selected poisons are still the most appropriate for the job.

They usually specify a perimeter of baits around the boundaries to the property. These are there to intercept any rats arriving from nearby areas or displaced by building works nearby. They also put baits at particularly vulnerable locations like bin rooms and garbage chutes because the smell of food is very attractive to rats. There will be baits near sewer manholes or breathers to intercept and kill underground invaders.

Internally, they are keen to put baits in risers that are there to distribute gas, electric and other services throughout the building. Lift shafts and other common parts where rats might conceal themselves or gain wider access to the building are also baited.

Priced quotation

A Microbee biologist will normally send a written report to the client following a survey and this will be accompanied by a written priced quotation.

On starting the contract, a contract book will be sent that will include risk assessments and safety data sheets for every poison that is likely to be used as well as advice sheets about particular pests and advice sheets about proofing. By inspecting and refreshing the baits regularly, the technicians can keep an eye on any rat activity and also advise whether there are factors that are attracting them such as accumulations of rubbish dumped in light-wells.

A copy report is left in the contract book and a second copy can be sent to the managing agent so that they can keep up to date with the status of problems. Generally, all visits are booked in advance.

This gives managing agents, porters and residents the opportunity to prepare for a visit, interact with the technician or biologist and know who is likely to be visiting the premises
and when.