Rats and Mice Complaints on the Increase
How to get rid of rats & mice
Have you seen any?
We need to know
We are experiencing problems with rats in your area at the moment.
It is essential that rodent populations are kept under control because of the nuisance they cause and the health risks they carry.
TO ENABLE US TO ERADICATE THEM WE NEED YOUR HELP.
· Dispose of your waste properly. Use the refuse containers provided.
· Do not store plastic sacks containing waste in your yard or in the alley.
· Do not drop litter
Contact us if:
· You see rats in the area
· You see signs of rats such as droppings, holes and gnaw marks
· You suspect you have a problem yourself
We will advise you on the best course action, and if necessary provide you with a treatment service.
Contact: 01642 728668 Mon - Fri. 8.30 to 16.30
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
How to deter rats and mice
The following points may help to prevent an infestation:
- make sure drainpipes are not broken,and drain inspection covers are in good condition;
- if you feed birds, use a bird table or a hanging net, and ensure any food that falls to the ground is cleared away;
- don't leave food for other wildlife on the ground and clean up after rabbits, guinea pigs and other pets,making sure their cages are raised off the ground;
- don't put meat or other non-fruit or vegetable waste onto open compost heaps, use a properly designed compost unit;
- when building a compost heap,use strong wire mesh on the base to stop rats digging underneath;
- secure outbuildings and sheds so that rats and mice cannot get inside;and
- make sure gardens don't become overgrown, and dont let rubbish build up outside(such as old mattresses and furniture) as this will provide protection for rats
Tell-tale signs to look out for
There are some simple tell-tale signs to look out for that will reveal whether you have rats or mice in your home:
- damage from gnawing and feeding such as tooth marks on packaging and wires;
- small holes - mouse holes are 20mm in diameter and rat holes about 80mm;
- greasy smears along walls,skirting boards and pipes from rodent fur;
- droppings;
- flattened grass, plants and other vegetation where rats and mice have created their own pathway;
- nests (sometimes found indoors, in lofts or under floorboards);and
- scratching and gnawing sounds from the loft,under the floorboards and in wall cavities.
They’ve been around for ages
Interesting facts on rats and mice
Rats and mice have lived with humans for centuries and have been responsible for spreading the bubonic plague, which killed millions of people in Europe in the past 500 years.
There were even cases of plague spread by rats in Auckland in the early 1900s. (Maclean—”Challenge for Health”, 1964)
The numbers of both rats and mice have remained consistently high in the UK for some years. A combination of mild winters and plentiful food supplies have allowed populations to boom.
The brown rat can grow up to 30cm long, and the tail is usually longer than the head and body. It has grey-brown fur and is lighter on the underside. Their droppings are 15mm to 20mm long, and are usually grey or black in colour with a pointed end.
Mice are much smaller than rats. A mouse is usually about 10cm long, with a tail that is longer than its head and body. Its fur colour can vary from grey to dark brown. Droppings are normally about 5mm long, and are dark brown or black. A mouse can produce up to 80 droppings a day.
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