My Neighbour Has Rats, What Should I Do?
Seeing rats around your place of business or your home is never a good sign. For businesses rats are a sign of bad hygiene in the place of business and may result in penalties by the government. Even for homes rats are never a good sign, they can carry deadly diseases and cause damage to your property, pantry, and even to your clothes.
If you have seen rats around your place of business or your house, you should not wait for something to happen but you must take action as soon as possible. If you have seen rats around your neighbour’s house or place of business here is what you should do:
- Voice Your Concerns:
You should communicate with your neighbour regarding the impending rat problem before it can take root on your property. Talk to them and if possible, show them where you have seen rats so that they can get rid of them. If your neighbour is not cooperative you can try other steps on your own. - Securing:
Secure your property, if you have any screen doors, repair and reinforce the screen so that the rats can not chew through it. Seal all the cracks big enough for the rats to crawl through with caulk or quick-drying cement. If you are renting the property let your landlord know as soon as possible as it is the landlord’s responsibility to make sure there aren’t any pest infestations on the property. - Involve The Professionals:
If the rats have already infested your place of business or your house it is inevitably the time to call in professionals to help you out. Reach out to your local pest control companies to rid yourself of this infestation. - Involve the Government:
Calling the environmental health department should be the last option on your list. If the above steps do not work out it is only fair that you reach out to the government to conduct an inspection of the properties and make sure there aren’t any threats to your and your neighbour’s health.
In conclusion, rat infestation must be avoided at all costs, if your neighbour is cooperative it is for the best, if not you must take matters into your own hands.