The arrival of warm weather brings with it longer days and more sunshine, but there’s a downside to summer – the arrival of pests. Rats are unwelcome visitors that can cause significant damage to your property and carry diseases that pose a serious threat to your health.
Therefore, it’s crucial to identify any pest problem as early as possible. Joshua Houston, a pest control expert at WhatCost, has revealed the signs that suggest you may be unknowingly sharing your home with rats – bearing in mind that they can inhabit wall cavities, roof spaces, and could be under the floorboards; you might also find them lurking under your garden shed.
A key indicator of a rat infestation is the presence of droppings. If you don’t spot any droppings but still suspect rats, listen out for movement within your walls and roof.
Given their penchant for human food, there’s a high chance they could infiltrate your food storage areas if the infestation isn’t addressed immediately.
Not only are they a bother and prone to gnawing through food packaging, but they can also carry harmful diseases such as leptospirosis, salmonella, and toxoplasmosis.
Swift action in dealing with rodents is crucial to maintaining cleanliness in your home. Dr Jonathan Kirby, a pest expert at NOPE!, shares his best advice for safely and humanely eliminating rats and mice.
Start by inspecting your home
Begin with a thorough examination of your property, both inside and out, for any potential entry points.
Rats and mice can fit through surprisingly small gaps, so pay particular attention to areas around pipes and beneath skirting boards.
Externally, check for cracks in walls or spaces around vents and door frames. While you’re assessing potential access routes, also look for anything that might be attracting the pests.
Spilled bird seed, overflowing recycling bins, unattended food or clutter can all provide food and shelter for rodents.
Take preventative measures
Once you’ve identified the weak spots, make your property less appealing by removing access to food, water and safe hiding places – three things rodents depend on for survival.
Start by storing all dry goods and food in sealed containers with lids and repair any leaking pipes or sources of standing water both inside and outside.
In your garden, trim back dense ivy or overgrown plants from brickwork that may provide rodents with a route into your home.
Then, seal entry points with durable, hard-to-chew materials like wire wool and install bristle strips along the bottom of doors.
Select appropriate control methods
The first step should always be to remove food, water and shelter but if the problem continues, you may need to consider using a rodenticide. Many rats and mice have developed resistance to certain rodenticides, so avoid bromadiolone and difenacoum.
Opt for a reliable rodenticide containing brodifacoum; a potent solution requires only a single feeding to be effective, enhancing the chances of successful pest control whilst ensuring the safety of children, pets and non-target species.
Traps or baits
When it comes to setting up traps or baits, bear in mind that rodents, especially rats, are inherently wary creatures and may steer clear of new elements in their surroundings.
To boost your success rate, position unset traps or bait stations in areas of suspected activity for a minimum of 48 hours.
Once you’ve gained a good understanding of their movement patterns, arrange bait stations filled with grain bait directly along their runways, near burrow entrances, or where you’ve spotted droppings or smear marks.
