Rodent Control

Rats

The Rat population in this country has over the last few years enjoyed an explosion. There are now more sightings and more infestations and when coupled with the strong adverse public reaction rat control should be taken very seriously.

Rats are large Rodents weighing up to 500g with strong chisel like teeth. For their size they have relatively small ears and large feet. The tail has sparse hairs and is shorter than the body in the case of the Brown Rat which is by far the most common species in this country. Like all rodents they have the need to continually chew in order to keep their incisors in good condition and as a result they can cause very serious damage to the structure of buildings. Indeed they have been associated with many house and farm fires. Droppings are approximately 12mm in length and are torpedo shaped; shiny when first laid they quickly harden and become dull in colour. They are associated with the spread of diseases that affect man including Salmonella and Weils’ disease. 

Rats exhibit a great hoarding instinct and will often take much more food than they can consume in one sitting. They are also neophobic being very wary of new objects within their environment making bait siting absolutely critical to achieve control. Trapping may kill individual Rats but you will normally not be able to destroy colonies where the best you will achieve will be approximately 80% control.

Mice

Like their larger cousins the mouse population has enjoyed significant increases over the last few years. Approximately 30g in weight and with small feet but relatively large ears compared to the rest of their body. Droppings are approximately 3mm in length and will be laid in or around the food source. Mice are exploratory feeders and are very nearly incontinent; they will contaminate far more goods than they actually consume. They are very invasive and are capable of entering through gaps of 7mm. They are capable of spreading many diseases to man including food poisoning bacteria and viral diseases. Baiting programmes need to be widespread and comprehensive and baits are usually presented in tamper resistant stations to ensure public safety. Mice are capable of breeding at prodigious rates due to a physiological adaptation called post partum oestrus meaning that the act of giving birth stimulates them to come into season very quickly.