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As we head into the colder season, the team here at Protex Pest Control get ready for the increase in call outs to deal with rats and mice. Here’s our top tips to help you stop mice or rats entering your property.
While rats and mice are around in abundance all year long, they do tend to become more of a pest as the colder days set in. During the summer months, food is readily available outside in their natural habitats, such as crops and berries. Also, they can keep safe and warm within the long grass and bushes.
When autumn arrives, there is less food available, and the vegetation shrinks back.
Rats and mice will then begin to seek a new source of food and warmth.
This is when they will look for a route into homes and buildings.
They are highly adaptable creatures that can fit through surprisingly small openings, making it easy for them to invade your property. Once inside, rats will populate quickly. They can cause extensive damage by gnawing on wires, insulation, and wood. They can also contaminate food and spread diseases through their urine, droppings and bedding. This includes salmonella, hantavirus, and leptospirosis. On top of that their presence can be extremely stressful as you naturally worry about their presence in your property.
Rats and mice can enter your premises through small cracks, drains, pipes and air vents. If you have a gap bigger than a biro pen, a mouse can fit through it.
A large pile of autumn leaves or lots of evergreen against your property will provide a comfortable hiding spot for rats and mice as they find a way into your home. If you leave just over half a metre gap between your home and any vegetation you will help to prevent this from occurring.
A mouse or rat will fit through a small gap created by a pipe coming into your home, such as a sink pipe. Take a look under your kitchen cabinets and use wire wool to seal any gaps around your pipes. But don’t ever use wire wool around electric cables, as if it is introduced to a spark it can combust.
Your rubbish bags are a welcome feast for a rat or a mouse. Ensure any waste is inside a sealed bin and food is securely stored in containers or cupboards. This includes your pet food.
If you already have mice or rats in your property contact us as quickly as possible. Attempting to handle a rodent infestation on your own can be risky and ineffective. Our pest control experts have the tools, and knowledge about the best way to eliminate infestations efficiently and safely. Be careful relying on DIY methods. These may not reach all areas where rodents are hiding, therefore they won’t remove all the pests and you will have a resurgence of the problem. It’s also essential to use rodent removal solutions carefully. Improper handling of rodents or their droppings can pose health risks, including the transmission of diseases to pets and household members. By instructing us, you have the peace of mind that any infestation is dealt with effectively and that your home and health are protected.
Read the Q&A with Jim England, CEO at Protex Pest Control
Watch a video – How To Eliminate Mice From Your Home – YouTube
To talk to us about either our pest prevention or pest management services for residential and commercial properties
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