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Singapore is now having an increase in its rat population. A dramatic surge has occurred in recent years, with rat burrows frequently detected in housing areas.
Seeing Rats in the Daytime is Definitely a Sign of Infestation, June 26, 2016
Top News: Oh Rats! The Mouse is Back!
Mouse and rats live amongst us, thriving on the food scraps left lying around in residential homes and shopping malls. Typically roaming in the dark of the night in search for food source and shelter. But in recent times, incidents of rats and mice seen scurrying about in the day have gained widespread media attention. Pest Control experts said this is an indication that the rodent scourge in Singapore is on the rise.
If you see rats during the day time, you can be sure that there is a high level of rodent infestation. Says PestBusters chairman and chief executive Thomas Fernandez. PestBusters is one of top five pest control companies in Singapore. And have reported for the increases of approximately 20 percent to 60 percent higher rate of rat related enquiries.
The firm, which has been in the business for 25 years, received 1,563 inquiries involving rats issues last year. About 55 percent rise from the 1,006 inquiries the year before. In the first quarter of this year alone, it received more than 400 calls involving rats.
At Innovative Pest Management, three out of five calls made to its hotline are about rats related issues. Its Technical Director Hadi Hanafi said. “We started seeing an increase in calls after the Bukit Batok incident two years ago.” In recent days, people have been seeing rats lurking around construction sites and restaurants.
by : Ng Huiwen
Rodent scourge is on the rise, and seeing Rats during the day time is a sure sign of infestation: Experts
Also seen in common areas of shopping malls and in homes. Last week, Marina Bay Link Mall, part of Marina Bay Financial Centre, had rat problems. Inspectors found dried droppings in the false ceilings of a food outlet and common area of the mall. Shortly before the incident, a Facebook user uploaded a photos images and video on social media.
In broad daylight, a rat made its way to the bread section of the FairPrice shop located in Kang Kar Mall, near Hougang Mall. Keeping the premises clean is crucial in the battle against rodents in the urban landscape of Singapore. It contributes to the recurring of rat problem, said Dr Chan Hiang Hao, a Medical Entomologist at Rentokil Singapore. He has received an average of 55 rat related inquiries a month since January.
“Urban living provides greater availability of resources for the rats. Causing them to have a generally higher growth rate,” said Dr Chan. For instance, the common Norway rat or brown rat can mature in 10 to 12 weeks in an urban environment. After which it is capable of giving birth to six litters, each consisting of about eight pups every year.
Another reason for the spike in the rodent population could be the trend of mixed use developments, said Ms Audrey Ong. Who is the business development manager at Origin Exterminators. “There are now more food places distributed throughout buildings and when there are people and food. There will always be rodents activity close by too,” she added.
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Ms Ong added that false ceilings, especially those used in commercial buildings, are often “ideal habitats” for rodents. She said: “These areas of a building that pest controllers may not check frequently because access can be inaccessible.” To target these problem spots, the firm has start using infrared sensors that can gather real-time data on rat activity.
Some experts also believe that current rodent control methods have not evolve to deal with the rats. “The rats are indeed intelligent and they can recognise the baits that are use over time,” Mr Hadi said. “When a rats brings a small amounts bait home to share and one of them dies from consuming it. The rest of the rodents colony will not touch nor consume it.”
Rats have also learnt to avoid the metal cages and glue boards typically used to catch them, experts said. That is why empty traps cannot be a sure sign that the problem is at bay, they added. “It’s not reasonable to expect that there will be zero rats,” said Ms Ong. With few people around, you will not see rats during the day because they are naturally active at night.
If the colony is growing rather rapidly. The weaker ones will be out to forage during the day, because of the competition for food.” Many experts said pest control measures, such as inspections and maintenance of traps, should be an ongoing effort. Mr Hadi emphasised that finding the cheapest quote is not enough.
He warn that the people hired may not be adequately train to target and rid of rat colonies. A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times, on June 26, 2016. With the headline "Oh rats! They’re back".
You can click here to read more about our interview with The Straits Times. Since rats reproduce rapidly, this prevents the rodent population from expanding and moving to another area. Ultimately Innovative Pest Management services is the best rodent control in Singapore to rid of rodent problems permanently.
FAQs for Oh Rats! The Mouse is back!
Frequently Asked Questions
What diseases can I contract eating food that rats have eaten, contaminate food?
Salmonellosis is a bacteria that humans can get after eating food contaminated by rats. The symptoms may include diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps and could last up to a week. Contact with infected rodent can lead to several health risk, such as chest pains, respiratory disease and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Severe cases of lymph nodes swell require immediate professional help.
Rat bites can transmit rat bite fever diseases. It can lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary syndrome, it is a severe and at times fatal respiratory disease. Bubonic plague is as a common plague infect humans that is cause by the bite of an infected flea ticks.
What are the signs of Rats infestation? How do I prevent them from entering my property?
Learn more about rodent in Singapore for do-it-yourself remedy such as peppermint oil and peanut butter etc. You can find in related articles for the best rat bait methods, snap traps, rat trapping and mouse traps in Singapore. You will understand better the multi catch traps and ways to set off these traps. Avoid rat spread diseases, activities in your property and prevent leaving pet food, bird seed or any animal feed.
How can Rats infestation affect Restaurant business owners?
A rat infestation in a residential home and commercial businesses can be dangerous. Rodents droppings alone are harmful to humankind. It can put your employee and customer health in danger. It can also ruin your reputation and lead to the closure for your business.
Our specialists are qualified and highly skill with the latest advance technology. Most importantly passionate to better the lives of others.
What diseases can Rats cause when they bite?
Rate Bite Fever complications can includes:
- Abscesses inside of the body, like in the abdominal cavity
- Infectious to the liver (hepatitis) and to the kidneys (nephritis)
- Infectious involving the lungs or part of the it (pneumonia)
- Infectious involving brain and nervous system (meningitis)
- Infectious involving heart (myocarditis or pericarditis)
Approximately 1 in 10 people who have streptobacillary Rat Bite Fever infection are fatal.
What symptoms and indications should I be aware of for Rat Bite Fever?
Rate Bite Fever Symptoms and signs of streptobacillary can includes:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Throbbing Headache
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain, aches or swelling
- Skin Rashes
The symptoms usually begin to show 3 to 10 days after contacting with the bacteria. It may be delay as long as 3 weeks after the incident. By the time symptom shows, the rodent bite or scratch wound will heal and only able to be detect through blood sample. After 2 to 4 days when fever begins, a rash will start appearing on the hands and feet.
The rash may look flat, reddish areas with tiny bumps. For more severe cases, it will include vomiting, constant throbbing headache and sore throat. Do not hesitate and get professional assistance.
