HOME LIVING
HOW TO KEEP
Rats and Mice OUT OF YOUR HOME With rodent numbers on the rise, Lisa Salmon finds out how to stop them moving into your home... The number of enquiries about getting rid of rats and mice soared over the winter - possibly linked to climate change. Figures released by Rentokil Pest Control (rentokil.co.uk) show the number of householders and businesses asking how to get rid of rodents increased by 36% this winter just gone, compared to averages recorded over the past three years. Colder winters usually mean fewer rodents, because they don't survive the lower temperatures, but milder weather is apparently allowing more rodents to live, and long hot summers are creating perfect conditions for young mice and rats to leave the nest and breed rapidly. "Last year's summer was the hottest on record for the Northern Hemisphere, and the surge in rodent sightings this winter are a legacy of these conditions, as more young rodents survived through to adulthood and were then able to breed almost immediately," explains Paul Blackhurst, head of Rentokil Pest Control's Technical Academy. "Rain and a drop in temperature cause rats and mice to migrate indoors, where there's more food and shelter. With rain falling, it's likely we'll continue to record a rise in rodent enquiries as rats are displaced from their burrows," he adds. "However, there are steps you can take to ensure pests are kept at bay." Signs of a rodent problem include an unusual, ammonia-like smell, small dark droppings, greasy marks on walls or skirting boards, and gnaw marks. Hearing scratching noises, especially at night, is also a sign of rats and mice, and their nocturnal nature means they can remain hidden for a long time before you begin to suspect they've invaded your home. But rodents can potentially spread germs, and damage your property through gnawing, so if you suspect you have unwanted furry house guests, it's a good idea to get rid of them quickly. Prevention is always better than cure, however, and it's an even better ideal to try and stop rodents getting into your home in the first place. Here are the sensible ways to keep rats and mice out of your home - and what to do if they take up residence...
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1. SEAL GAPS Mice are capable of squeezing through gaps the size of a Biro to enter a building. So check around the outside of your home, particularly near pipes and drains, to make sure there are no holes. And if you see any, fill them with wire wool, caulk, metal kick plates or cement.
