Rodent Control

During the cooler months of the year both rats and mice move closer to or into buildings so that they are more often seen by people.

To discourage or get rid of rats and mice you need to attack the problem on three fronts:

1. Clean up
2. Keep them out
3. Wipe them out

Clean Up

This includes:

1. Clean up inside. Old newspapers or magazines, boxes, old cloths and rubbish in cupboards, spare rooms and basements provide ideal nesting places for rodents especially mice. In kitchens, pay particular attention to any neglected corners.

2. Clean up outside. Piles of bricks, timber, rubble, old cars or appliances, heaps of garden rubbish can all be used by rats and mice for nesting.

3. Make sure that rubbish bins have tight fitting lids and that they are always kept on.

4. Fix dripping taps and do not let water collect in buckets or tins outside. These are all sources of drinking water for rodents.

5. Do not leave food for pets or birds out overnight where rats can get at it.

Keep them out

Rats and mice are very mobile and can enter buildings in all sorts of ways. They can climb vertical surfaces and gnaw through walls and gaps around windows and doors. Mice need a hole only 6mm wide while a rat can squeeze through a hole not much bigger. They are also good swimmers and use waterways and sewers.

1. Seal holes around pipes into buildings with cement or metal sheathing.

2. Make sure that doors and windows fit tightly and repair any damage.

3. Cover all holes and gaps into basements and houses with fine wire mesh.

Wipe them out

Poison and traps are the most effective ways of killing rats and mice.

Poison Bait.

The use of poison bait is the most effective method of rodent control. With all baits follow the instructions on the pack carefully and remember:

1. Keep pets and children out of danger by putting bait inside a bait station or some other protected site.

2. Use fresh bait and protect it from the weather.