Mice On The Move

Local pest and rodent control companies are largely in agreement that the number of mouse and rat infestations in UK homes has spiked this year, and the problem is not limited to any one part of the country.

The quantity of mouse and rat infestations this year is the biggest in over 20 years. Every year, there's one dominant pest, and this year mice and rats have been that pest. It is widely accepted that weather plays a role in the magnitude of rodent infestations and the mild weather during the autumn has had the rats and mice moving from one home to the next, sometimes leaving babies behind as their lasting legacy.

This time of year sees the outdoor food supply for mice and rats dry up, and the critters begin looking wherever they can for food and warmth. Rodents are more prone to nesting during the winter months as they shelter themselves from cold weather between walls and below floors of homes and businesses.

There are many different ways rodent control experts can deal with the problem, including rat baits, snap traps and glue boards, but there are steps homeowners can take to help prevent infestation. It's important not to keep pet food where it is accessible to mice and rats, but there are other preventative measures to be taken.

The biggest thing that anyone has to do is exclusion – trying to find areas of the house where rodents are entering and closing up those holes. Common entryways for mice and rats include places where pipes enter a house and torn screens over vent holes. When inspecting a home for entry points, you need to think like a rat, which basically means you walk around the structure, look at it and think, "Where would I get in?". Openings as small as a half-inch can be large enough for mice and rats to enter.

You should also shy away from keeping bird feeders outside and ensure that dog food is properly stored to prevent rodents from rushing into your home – bird feeders are the No. 1 problem at this time of year.

Not only has this year seen a spike in the number of mouse and rat infestations, the rats that have been spotted seem to be getting larger. Rats that measure 17in from nose to the end of the tail have not been uncommon.

Many people are afraid of mice and rats, but not many realise the damage the vermin can cause, as well as the health dangers they pose. Electrical wires, air-conditioning units and insulation are frequently damaged by rodents, and there are many health hazards associated with them too. Rats contaminate a lot more food than they eat and cause a lot of health problems because of contamination.

Trichinosis, salmonella, tapeworms, rat bite fever and infectious jaundice are among some of the more common rodent-caused health problems.

Homeowners worried about a pest problem should call their local exterminator, who will conduct rigorous inspections inside and outside of the buildings. Homeowners often say they have checked and sealed every hole, but we always find more holes, and that's where the pests get in. You pay for the knowledge of what to look for, what products to use, how much and where to put them.