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Rats and Mice can be a particular problem in Winter. Baiting or Trapping Rats & Mice is only a temporary measure as they may return looking for shelter, food and water. The only way to ensure your home stays Rodent Free is to block all common entry points to your home for Rats & Mice and to limit the food and water sources they will be searching for. For professional Rodent Control and advice contact Best Pest on 1800 013 911 today!
Visual Signs of Rodent Activity:
1. Droppings
Rodents produce upto 80-100 droppings per day which can easily be detected in areas they have been in. Droppings are thin, dark and about 10mm in length. This is the best sign that Rats or Mice are active around your property.
2. Damage
Rodent gnaw their teeth to to keep them sharp. Look for signs of teeth marks on skirting boards, timber, electrical wiring or plastic containers.
3. Food Scraps
Rodents will often leave scraps behind in sheltered spaces, particularly up against walls or in corners, such as nut shells and even eaten snail shells.
4. Rat Tracks or "Runs"
In dusty loft or basement areas rats can leave a worn trail especially in dusty areas along skirting boards, along beams or leading to access points such as open ventilation grills, gaps in walls and pipe / cable entry points.
Help Protect Your Home from Rodents:
1. Deny Access
The most effective means of keeping your home Rodent Free is to deny them entry. Block off any clear entry points such as cracks in brickwork, pipe entry points and gaps under doors. Draft stoppers can be fixed to the base of external doors to help prevent entry. Trees and vines against your building can provide easy access to roof entry. Keep these trimmed away or remove. Repair any damaged wall areas (even very small) to ensure they are blocked off.
2. Limit Food Sources
A major rule in Rodent control is to keep your kitchen and home clean and free of open food sources and scraps at all times. Keep all kitchen surfaces clean and clear of food and water. Do not leave the cleaning up until the next day. Take kitchen rubbish bags out daily and make sure they are stored in heavy duty bins with sealed lids.
3. Keep Your Property Tidy
Rats & Mice love dark areas to shelter under. Keep your property and external sheds clear of all rubbish and timber. Stack any essential items at least 300mm above the ground. Keep your grass cut, avoid open compost bins, clean pet food bowls after they have been used and never leave pet faeces lying around your property or surrounds.
Treating Rodents:
1. Baits
Baits are the simplest and most effective short-term way to get rid of problem Rats or Mice. Always place baits away from open spaces and out of the reach of children and all pets. Baits are poisonous and MUST BE KEPT AWAY from pets and children. The best places are dark areas or corners (sub floor / roof areas / behind cupboards) that are protected from small children and pet access. After eating the baits Rodents will move around before they die. You will need to look for and effectively disgard of any dead carcasses. Keep them away from Pets or human contact.
2. Traps
There are many traps available from local Hardware Stores that may help to catch Rats & Mice. As with baits these should be kept away from the reach of Children or Pets. Place traps next to skirting boards or in the path of any identified "Rat Runs". Place the food source or bait against the wall. You will need to carefully disgard of any dead carcasses. Keep them away from Pets or human contact.
3. Talk to Your Neighbours
It is most likely that your neighbours will be at risk of Rodent activity if you have a problem. Contact your neighbour and ask them to look for signs of infestation and activity. The most effective form of treatment is in conjunction with you immediate neighbours. Encourage them to lay baits or traps and to keep their properties clear of rubbish and food sources also.
4. Call a Professional
The most effective and safest way to treat and control Rodent activity is to contact a Pest Professional such as Best Pest. Our Pest Controllers are licensed and experienced in the effective control of Rats & Mice. They know where to find them and how to treat them without putting any family pets or small children at risk. Call Best Pest now on 1800 013 911 if you have a Rodent Problem!
Rat & Mice Information
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