What to do about mice and rats
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Mice and rats are likely to turn up in any house from time to time. If prompt action is taken to deal with them they should not cause real harm. But a continuing rodent infestation can damage the house as well as the health of its inhabitants, so immediate action is required as soon as they are detected.
Rats are much bigger than mice, and so are their droppings, so it is easy to know which is which. Mice droppings are about 1/4 inch (6mm) long, smaller than a grain of rice, and rat droppings are about three times the size, 3/4 inch (19mm) long. The droppings are dark brown in colour and will be seen on floors and work surfaces, as well as in cupboards.
Aside from the droppings, you will see plenty of evidence of the rodents. They chew everything; cereal boxes and plastic bags containing food as well as woodwork, pipework and insulation. They are likely to be living in any inaccessible space, such as inside walls, under floors, in sheds or garages. Often you will be able to hear them moving about.
Rodents are attracted by easily available food sources such as pet food and kitchen waste. Kitchen compost should be kept away from the house and treated with lime to speed up decomposition. Garbage needs to be kept in a sealed metal container with a lid, and pet food must be cleared away after feeding.
A bite from a mouse or rat can cause infection, and rodents also spread disease in their urine and droppings. Their ticks and fleas can be disease carriers too. Any food they have partially eaten or otherwise been in contact with must be thrown away, as it can cause food poisoning. Any contaminated surfaces, where rodents may have run, have to be disinfected before being used for food preparation.
Rats and mice breed frequently, so their numbers will increase rapidly if unchecked. They can damage your house by chewing through insulation and electrical cables. They can even gnaw through walls and ceilings.
Although rodents may be deterred by hygiene measures, and ultra-sonic repellers can have an initial positive effect, to end an infestation the rats and mice must be killed. Traps are the most effective way to get rid of rodents. Bait spring-loaded traps with dried fruit, peanut butter mixed with oats, or cheese. Make sure the bait is securely attached to the trigger, and set the trap across the path of the rodents, with the bait side next to the wall.
Take care when throwing away dead mice and rats. Handle them only with gloves, and seal them in two plastic bags. The corpses can be buried in a hole over half a metre deep, or it may be permissible to put them in with domestic rubbish. Clean traps with a weak bleach solution.
Rodents are a frequent and unpleasant problem, and one which must not be ignored, but effective solutions are available. If trapping does not work, consider contacting your local authority or a specialist vermin control company.
Rats are much bigger than mice, and so are their droppings, so it is easy to know which is which. Mice droppings are about 1/4 inch (6mm) long, smaller than a grain of rice, and rat droppings are about three times the size, 3/4 inch (19mm) long. The droppings are dark brown in colour and will be seen on floors and work surfaces, as well as in cupboards.
Aside from the droppings, you will see plenty of evidence of the rodents. They chew everything; cereal boxes and plastic bags containing food as well as woodwork, pipework and insulation. They are likely to be living in any inaccessible space, such as inside walls, under floors, in sheds or garages. Often you will be able to hear them moving about.
Rodents are attracted by easily available food sources such as pet food and kitchen waste. Kitchen compost should be kept away from the house and treated with lime to speed up decomposition. Garbage needs to be kept in a sealed metal container with a lid, and pet food must be cleared away after feeding.
A bite from a mouse or rat can cause infection, and rodents also spread disease in their urine and droppings. Their ticks and fleas can be disease carriers too. Any food they have partially eaten or otherwise been in contact with must be thrown away, as it can cause food poisoning. Any contaminated surfaces, where rodents may have run, have to be disinfected before being used for food preparation.
Rats and mice breed frequently, so their numbers will increase rapidly if unchecked. They can damage your house by chewing through insulation and electrical cables. They can even gnaw through walls and ceilings.
Although rodents may be deterred by hygiene measures, and ultra-sonic repellers can have an initial positive effect, to end an infestation the rats and mice must be killed. Traps are the most effective way to get rid of rodents. Bait spring-loaded traps with dried fruit, peanut butter mixed with oats, or cheese. Make sure the bait is securely attached to the trigger, and set the trap across the path of the rodents, with the bait side next to the wall.
Take care when throwing away dead mice and rats. Handle them only with gloves, and seal them in two plastic bags. The corpses can be buried in a hole over half a metre deep, or it may be permissible to put them in with domestic rubbish. Clean traps with a weak bleach solution.
Rodents are a frequent and unpleasant problem, and one which must not be ignored, but effective solutions are available. If trapping does not work, consider contacting your local authority or a specialist vermin control company.
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