With the newly cut fields and the colder nights drawing in rodents such as rats and mice are seeking new warmer homes for the winter. Unfortunately for us though their new homes tend to be our homes so now is a perfect time to block any holes or install repellents to get rid of those pesky vermin. However if the rodents are already inside the property using poisons carefully is another fast fix.
Blocking holes is a quick fix. We highly recommend using wire wool and nothing else for this. What defines a rodent a rodent is their continuous growing teeth. Having teeth that never stop growing means that the rodent needs to gnaw to keep their teeth sharp and short. Continuous gnawing means that the rodent can actually drill holes through concrete, plastics, wood etc however filling holes with wire wool will cut the gums of the rodent and they won't be able to pass. The rodent isn't too persistent with gnawing through wire wool and will leave the property quickly.
The installation of an ultrasonic pest repellent will also work very well. I have been asked many times whether they work or not, and the answer is yes. They are lots of different variations of pest repellents on the market, some have the ultrasonic setting, others have both the ultrasonic and electromagnetic setting. The ultrasonic pest repellent only work in open space and only in the single room the unit is plugged into. One of these units is never enough, and we would recommend installing more throughout the house and remembering to install the unit in open corridors or in plug-sockets that aren't being blocked by any furniture. Units that also have the electromagnetic setting are better units as these units will protect the cabling of the property as well as the room they are plugged into. They will go through cavity walls via the cables and it will stop rodents from chewing through cabling which will ultimately save you money on repairs. It must be noted the ultrasonic devices are not an immediate fix and can take up to 3 weeks. Rodents have been seen to approach the unit itself, but this does not signify that the unit is broken.
The final other method of rodent pest control is using the traditional poison method. Using rodent poison bait carefully and according to the label is a preferred method of controlling rats and mice but users must be careful that only the targeted species are killed. Open bait trays can only be used indoors and away from pets and really are ideal for loft areas (make sure you don't have bats and poisoning squirrels is also illegal). Open bait stations are easy to refill and monitor and uptake can be quicker then boxes. For larger areas, open bait sources are far less time consuming and cost effective. For anything outside , if it be under a shed etc. a locked bait station is required. Loose bait can be used in boxes but remember to put them in trays inside a box to stop spillage. Placing a brick or a heavy object on top of the box is also recommended. Block bait is also available and its also ideal for indoor and outdoor use. Block bait is for use inside bait boxes and is far safer to use in areas of activity, for example in corridors, play areas, near dogs etc. Block bait is either tightly packed into the box or comes on a spindle so spillage isn't possible. Block bait is a very safe bait to use and is preferred over loose bait.
Most customers ask about where the rodent dies and in 9 cases out of 10 the rodent will die in its nest. The poison can be a single feed kill or multiple kills do it isn't an instant kill. The rodent will begin to feel unwell and in most cases will wonder home. If you do find a dead rodent we suggest that you bag and bin it, or bury it.
Alternative methods to controlling rodents are trapping but as with poisons you need to be careful in setting the traps. Rat and Mouse Traps are violent object that can hurt pets, children and adults, so when using a traps positioning is very important.
Fred Walker is the author of this article. He owns and manages one of the top three DIY pest control suppliers in the country. This article was produced with help from his colleague Matthew Johnson, whom has over 10 years of professional pest control experience with some of the largest companies in the UK.
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