As the weather turns cooler across the south-east, rats and mice are starting to look for warmer shelter and easier access to food. You may want to pest-proof your home. Once inside, these persistent rodents can quickly make your property their new home, and what starts out as a small problem can turn into a much bigger one within a matter of weeks.
There is some good news though, which is that most rodent problems are quite easily preventable. A few sensible checks around your property, done regularly, can make a real difference to whether rats and mice see your home as an easy target. Below, we’ve put together our best advice for homeowners who are looking to keep rats and mice out before they become a headache.
It’s worth mentioning here that if you’re already noticing signs of rodent activity, it’s important to act quickly rather than waiting to see if the problem goes away on its own.
Know The Warning Signs First
Catching a rodent problem early makes it far easier to deal with, but it helps to know what you’re actually looking for.
Droppings are usually the first sign that homeowners notice, often found near food sources or along skirting boards. Rat droppings are dark, pellet-shaped and about the size of a large grain of rice; they tend to turn up in the same spot each time. Mouse droppings are smaller, black and there’s usually a lot more of them; a single mouse can leave around 80 droppings a day.
Other clues to look for include gnaw marks on wood, cables or packaging, greasy smear marks along walls and skirting boards where rodents repeatedly travel, as well as scratching or gnawing noises in walls or lofts, especially at night; since both rats and mice are most active after dark.
Where Do Rodents Get In?
Rodents don’t need much room to get inside; a mouse can squeeze through a gap the width of a pencil and a rat can fit through a hole roughly the size of a 50p coin, so it’s worth walking around your property and looking closely at areas that are most likely to give them a way in.
Pay particular attention to gaps around pipework, cables and vents, damaged airbricks, worn door seals and any cracks where the walls meet the foundations. Older properties and homes with recent building work or extensions tend to be more vulnerable, simply because there are more places where small gaps can appear.
Blocking Up Access Points
Once you’ve identified the gaps to pest-proof your home, the next step is to close them up properly. Wire wool or a metal mesh works well around pipes and cables, since rats and mice can gnaw straight through plastic fillers, foam and even some sealants! Door and window seals should fit tightly and any air bricks or vents should be fitted with a proper rodent-proof cover rather than left open.
Drainage is another area worth checking, and it’s a common one. On a recent job, Viking’s technicians traced a rat problem back to entry points through the drainage system and damaged airbricks, resolving it by fitting airbrick covers, installing a one-way drain valve and sealing the exposed drainage. It’s a good example of how proofing often needs to go beyond the obvious gaps.
Cutting Off the Food Supply
Once rodents are inside, an easy food source is often what keeps them there. Store dry food and pet food in sealed containers rather than in their original packaging and try not to leave food out overnight, including pet bowls. Crumbs and general food waste in the kitchen should be cleaned up promptly and worktops wiped down regularly. If you keep birds or small pets such as hamsters, be mindful that spilled food can also easily attract rodents, so it’s worth sweeping up any spillages daily.
Tidying Up the Garden
Gardens can just be as attractive to rats and mice as the inside of your home, especially where there’s shelter and a reliable food source. Compost heaps, log piles, sheds and dense shrubbery all make good hiding places, so keeping these areas tidy and away from the house where possible will help.
Bird feeders are an often-unknown but common cause of rodent activity in gardens across Essex, so it’s worth using a catch tray underneath and clearing up any spilled seed regularly. If you own a compost bin, a fully-enclosed version is a better option than an open-topped one. It should also be placed away from fences and walls, both of which rodents can use to climb.
Dispose of Rubbish Properly
Bins are one of the most common attractants for rats, particularly if lids don’t close properly or bin bags are left outside rather than in a bin. Make sure that bin lids fit securely and avoid leaving bags of rubbish out overnight.
It’s also worth remembering that property owners have a legal duty to keep premises free of rats and mice under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949. If a rodent problem is left unchecked and poses a risk to public health or property, it can end up being reported to the local authority; it’s not just a case of comfort or convenience.
When DIY Isn’t Enough
Once rodents have established themselves inside a property even the most robust DIY measures won’t be enough on their own. Rats and mice both gnaw constantly to keep their teeth in check and they aren’t fussy about what they chew through, so pipework, cables and woodwork can all be at risk the longer an infestation is left untreated.
If you’re noticing any of the warning signs above, or you’d simply like some peace of mind, our friendly technicians can identify whether it’s rats, mice or both, before providing treatment advice to pest-proof your home and eliminating the problem in a safe, but effective, manner.
Expert Pest-Proofing and Rodent Control in Essex
Viking Pest Control Services is a family-run pest control company covering Chelmsford, Basildon, Benfleet, Southend and the wider Essex area. We know that discovering rats or mice in your home can be stressful, which is why customer satisfaction is something that we take seriously; all of our work is guaranteed. We’re highly-rated on both Checkatrade and Google; you can also follow our latest jobs on Instagram.
As well as domestic pest control, we also offer Integrated Pest Management for businesses and organisations, with ongoing monitoring to help you meet relevant Health and Safety requirements.
If you’re noticing signs of rodent activity, or you’d rather get ahead of the problem before it starts, we’re here to help pest-proof your home. Get in touch with Viking Pest Control on 07572 856611 or via our contact page for a free, no-obligation quote.
