Mice and rats are likely to turn up in any house from time to time. If prompt action is taken to deal with them they should not cause real harm. But a continuing rodent infestation can damage the house as well as the health of its inhabitants, so immediate action is required as soon as they are detected.
The presence of rats and mice is easy to detect by their droppings, and the size will tell you which you have. Rat droppings are about 3/4 inch (19mm) long, whereas mice droppings are approximately one third the size, 1/4 inch (6mm) long. The dark brown droppings will appear on floors, shelves and furniture.
Aside from the droppings, you will see plenty of evidence of the rodents. They chew everything; cereal boxes and plastic bags containing food as well as woodwork, pipework and insulation. They are likely to be living in any inaccessible space, such as inside walls, under floors, in sheds or garages. Often you will be able to hear them moving about.
Mice and rats will be drawn to food sources such as pet food if it is left around after feeding. They will raid kitchen waste bins, so these should be metallic and sealed with a tight-fitting lid. Kitchen compost is also edible until decomposed, so stir it regularly and keep it away from the house.
As well as being a nuisance, rats and mice are a health hazard. Diseases can be spread by their urine and droppings, and also as a result of a bite. Food partially eaten or otherwise contaminated by them can cause food poisoning and should always be thrown away, and surfaces on which they have run must be disinfected.
Rats and mice breed frequently, so their numbers will increase rapidly if unchecked. They can damage your house by chewing through insulation and electrical cables. They can even gnaw through walls and ceilings.
Ultra-sonic repellers and similar devices may have an initial effect, and removing food sources will be helpful, but the only complete solution to rodents is to kill them. The best way to kill mice and rats is with traditional spring-loaded traps. Effective baits are cheese, dried fruit or peanut butter mixed with oats. The trap should be placed across pathways used by the rodents, with the bait on the side next to the wall.
Dead rodents must be disposed of carefully. Wear gloves to handle them, and seal them in double plastic bags. There may be local by-laws covering their disposal in domestic waste, but if allowed they can be put in the dustbin, or alternatively they can be buried in a hole over 50cm deep. Disinfect traps with a mixture of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.
Rodents are a frequent and unpleasant problem, and one which must not be ignored, but effective solutions are available. If trapping does not work, consider contacting your local authority or a specialist vermin control company.
The presence of rats and mice is easy to detect by their droppings, and the size will tell you which you have. Rat droppings are about 3/4 inch (19mm) long, whereas mice droppings are approximately one third the size, 1/4 inch (6mm) long. The dark brown droppings will appear on floors, shelves and furniture.
Aside from the droppings, you will see plenty of evidence of the rodents. They chew everything; cereal boxes and plastic bags containing food as well as woodwork, pipework and insulation. They are likely to be living in any inaccessible space, such as inside walls, under floors, in sheds or garages. Often you will be able to hear them moving about.
Mice and rats will be drawn to food sources such as pet food if it is left around after feeding. They will raid kitchen waste bins, so these should be metallic and sealed with a tight-fitting lid. Kitchen compost is also edible until decomposed, so stir it regularly and keep it away from the house.
As well as being a nuisance, rats and mice are a health hazard. Diseases can be spread by their urine and droppings, and also as a result of a bite. Food partially eaten or otherwise contaminated by them can cause food poisoning and should always be thrown away, and surfaces on which they have run must be disinfected.
Rats and mice breed frequently, so their numbers will increase rapidly if unchecked. They can damage your house by chewing through insulation and electrical cables. They can even gnaw through walls and ceilings.
Ultra-sonic repellers and similar devices may have an initial effect, and removing food sources will be helpful, but the only complete solution to rodents is to kill them. The best way to kill mice and rats is with traditional spring-loaded traps. Effective baits are cheese, dried fruit or peanut butter mixed with oats. The trap should be placed across pathways used by the rodents, with the bait on the side next to the wall.
Dead rodents must be disposed of carefully. Wear gloves to handle them, and seal them in double plastic bags. There may be local by-laws covering their disposal in domestic waste, but if allowed they can be put in the dustbin, or alternatively they can be buried in a hole over 50cm deep. Disinfect traps with a mixture of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.
Rodents are a frequent and unpleasant problem, and one which must not be ignored, but effective solutions are available. If trapping does not work, consider contacting your local authority or a specialist vermin control company.
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We offer friendly and effective rat control London. www.envirosafepestcontrol.co.uk will make sure we get rid of your unwanted visitors, and help you stop them coming back again.
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