Evidence of unseen rats and mice may be scratching and scurrying noises in the roof and signs of chewed food, paper and droppings. In a large infestation, a strong odour may be detected from the rodents urine and burrows outdoors may indicate nests.
Mouse droppings are about 3mm in size similar to a grain of rice, whilst rat droppings are larger and about 1 cm long.
Due to their tendency to gnaw, electrical insulation, water pipes, etc. can often be destroyed. Contamination of food with urine, droppings and fur can pose a threat to public health.
Over-feeding birds and throwing bird food onto the ground will attract rodents. When the weather becomes cooler they may attempt to come indoors and are able to access the smallest of spaces; if you can poke a pen top into a gap they will be able to get in. Rodents can also climb external walls, especially if covered in foliage.
You are required by law to deal with any rodent problems on your property.
Prevention:
- Get rid of food sources that attract rodents. You may need to temporarily stop feeding birds.
- Clean up refuse areas and spilled rubbish.
- Store pet food and pet bedding such as straw in sealed containers.
- Keep refuse sacks in dustbins with lids. Seeds stored in garden sheds should be stored in containers.
- Get rid of piles of scrap wood, gathered leaves, and redundant equipment where rodents can hide. Cut back weeds and clutter around buildings.
- To stop rodents entering a building, fix and replace cracked or broken doors and windows and keep drains and drain covers in a good state of repair.
Control:
If you suspect that you have a rodent problem, we would strongly recommend that you obtain our advice or that of a professional company rather than tackle the problem yourself, as this can often fail and these creatures constitute a health hazard.
Although they may be admired in your garden, squirrels' ability to chew through loft wiring and damage to timbers is not so welcomed.
Prevention:
- To prevent infestation by squirrels, limit bird feeding and use squirrel proof feeders.
Control:
- We would strongly recommend that you obtain our advice or that of a professional company as there are laws regarding the trapping and baiting of squirrels.
