Rat In The Care Home

We understood that it was imperative to attend the site immediately, as it was possible that it may not be just a single rat, but the Care Home may have an infestation.  As the client was extremely upset and concerned to the safety of her elderly patients and staff member’s we arrived at the Care Home in Upminster within an hour of her initial call.

On arrival at the Care Home we quickly got the situation under control.  The nurses moved all the patients safely to the day room so they would be out of harm’s way, allowing us to tackle the rat problem.

Within 30 minutes we had managed to contain the rat in one of the patient’s bedrooms, making it easier to control the situation and safely remove the rat from the Care Home.  It was quickly established that this was a lone rat and no other rat activity inside the Care Home was found. It had probably gained access through an air brick or took its opportunity to take shelter when a door had been open.

The Care Home in Upminster was situated in a remote open area, surrounded by fields and woodlands.  When we assessed the building, we noticed that even though the Care Home had had taken pest control prevention internally, it was the perimeter of the Care Home that needed attention to ensure no further visits from rats and other vermin.  We advised Mrs W the Care Home Manager that a baiting programme needed to be put in place and the air bricks covered to ensure the residents were kept safe.