Pest Control for Rats and Mice

Fully guaranteed pest control treatments against Rats and Mice

Trade with confidence with a BPCA approved pest control contractor

HAVE I GOT RATS OR MICE?

MICE

Mice are small, brownish-grey in colour with a thin tail which is slightly shorter than the overall body length. Their nose is pointed and their ears small with fine hairs. They have a small, slender appearance with an average weight of 25g. The house mouse is grey coloured whereas the field mouse is a chestnut colour with a white underside. Their droppings are around 5mm in length and are a thin spindle shape. A mouse will have up to 80 droppings per day depending on the availability of a food source. The life span of a mouse is on average between 6 - 12 months and in this time they can have between 5-8 litters with up to 4-8 young per litter, each young mouse is mature in 6-8 weeks.

RATS

Generally light to dark brown/grey in colour with paler underside. Their tail is shorter than their body but is quite thick and is nearly always darker on top. Their snout is blunt and their ears are small and furry. They are large, robustly built animals with an average weight of 450g. Rat droppings are around 2cm in length and are much larger than mouse droppings and usually found in groups. Rats will produce up to 40 droppings per day, their life span is much the same as a mouse but their litters are up to 3-6 per year with 8-10 young per litter which reach maturity in 8-10 weeks

SIGNS OF AN INFESTATION

Evidence of the present of rats or mice can be established without the sighting of a live animal. Typical signs may be seen both inside and outside of the premises which include damage to building materials, packaging and food. Tooth marks may be evident which will help to identify the rodent as a rat or mouse, Mice will show as small tooth marks whereas Rats will show as much larger tooth marks. Mice tend to nibble at food and will move around a food source whereas Rats will chew through the food eating most of what's available. Recent gnawing, particularly through wood can be distinguished by the fresh light coloured appearance of the gnawed surface and the presence of small chewed pieces or cuttings in the vicinity.

Rats and Mice are creatures of habit and will regularly use the same run. The runs exhibit ‘smear’ marks as the grease, dirt and natural oils from their fur makes contact with the surfaces. Outdoors these runways appear as clean-swept paths where vegetation has become flattened, about 5-7cm wide. Inside a building these will be seen as a black dirty mark.

Droppings also aid in the identification of an infestation. When droppings are discovered it is important to determine their age as it will indicate whether the infestation is current. Fresh droppings are soft enough to be pressed out of shape and have a glistening moist appearance. The colour varies according to the kind of food eaten, but usually they are black or nearly black. Within a few days, depending on climatic conditions, droppings become dry and hard. Later the surface will become dull, and over an extended period of time they assume a greyish, dusty appearance and may crumble easily. The most positive proof of any infestation, of course, is to see live rats or mice. However, because rodents are generally nocturnal and secretive in their habits, live animals are seldom seen. In heavy infestations a peculiar musty musk/urine odour may be present.

DETERRING RATS AND MICE

Rodents require food, water and shelter to survive. Preventative measures should begin with the design, construction and maintenance of the building in addition to good housekeeping. Effective cleaning of all parts of the premises and equipment is essential, together with the storage of food in rodent proof containers. The storage of all refuse in suitable lidded containers is essential and owners should check their property for conditions that are inviting to rodents. i.e. overgrown vegetation. The building exterior should be carefully examined for structural damage, potential harborage site, poor sanitation and other conditions conducive to rodent activity. Specifically:-

Open or loosely covered refuse containers

Overgrown shrubs or vegetation next to the premises

Open or broken windows or screens

Openings around pipes or conduits

Poorly fitting doors or windows

Gaps through brickwork where telephone and electrical lines lead into the home or building

Gaps around waste pipes

Cracked or broken concrete on the building foundation

Piles of wood or debris on the ground around the structure

Pet food and bird feeders

Harborage sites under outbuildings

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU COME TO MY HOME OR BUSINESS?

Once you have contacted us a suitable appointment time will be made so that our technician can visit your premises to carry out a survey and treatment. The technician will advise on any remedial action to help prevent the rats or mice from entering the premises and then implement a riddance programme.

Typical riddance treatments against Rats and Mice would entail three treatments, the initial survey and treatment followed by 2 additional visits at 7 - 10 day intervals to check on the activity and then remove any dead rodents and residual poisons.

All of our treatments are guaranteed to be effective at removing the rats and mice.

We also offer ongoing service contracts so that your premises are protected from the risk of further incoming rats and mice. Regular service visits, which are determined by the level of risk to your business, would be carried out to check for signs of pest activity and remedial treatments carried out to maintain pest free conditions. We have a standard service level which is suited to most small businesses and complies with the EHO expectations and we have a BRC level service which is suited to larger businesses who receive supplier audits and need a higher level of reporting.

Look no further for residential and commercial pest control - CALL TODAY ON 01254 386776