Paris, Marseille, Lyon: the presence of rats in cities regularly makes the news. These opportunistic rodents take advantage of accessible food and underground networks to multiply. Understanding their behaviour is the first step to protecting yourself.
Why do rats proliferate?
A pair of rats can produce several hundred descendants per year. Three factors encourage them to settle in:
- food: food waste, open bins, kitchen scraps;
- water: gutters, leaks, standing water;
- shelter: cellars, crawl spaces, service ducts, wasteland.
Reducing even one of these three factors sharply limits their proliferation.
What are the health risks?
Rats are not just a nuisance: they can transmit diseases (leptospirosis, salmonellosis), contaminate food and damage electrical cables and pipes. In a business, their presence also creates a regulatory and reputational risk.
Preventing and treating effectively
A few simple measures deter rodents:
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Close bins and put them out at the right time.
- Seal entry points (grilles, thresholds, ducts) — a rat gets through a 2 cm hole.
- Remove standing water.
Faced with a confirmed infestation, a professional rat-control plan combines assessment, secured bait and follow-up. Discover our rodent control services and our protection products.
A suspicious presence at home or in your premises? Contact our experts for a free assessment and a tailored action plan.
