How do you know you have rats or mice?

People with rodent infestations can often hear a scratching or gnawing noise in cavity walls or above-head in loft areas, often at night. You may also have a visible sighting of a rodent in your home or premises. They are generally more active at night, so if seen during day it may suggest there is a bigger infestation. You may find burrows the size of a tennis ball in the ground, or visible damage from gnawing in cables or wood. You can also sight rat runs in the form of dark smears on walls and floors, and runs along fence-lines, or even footprints and tail-swipes. There may also be evidence of droppings on the floor or furniture which are like small pellets around 6-12mm long and appear spindle shaped.

What risks can rats and mice pose to you and your property?

• Weil’s disease, plague, rat-bite fever and salmonella
• Damage to property, gnawing virtually anything including cables and pipework
• Contamination of foodstuffs and surfaces from urination
• Causing of extreme reactions from the public, which damages reputation
• Consumption of large quantities of stored food
• Prosecution from failure to comply with Health and Saftey legislation

How we treat rats and mice?

• Trapping programme
• Baiting programme – use of rodenticides with bait stations
• Non-toxic survey to find out where the main points are
• Proofing: prevention is better, remove access to food, water, harbourage, prevent entry, repair defects, inspect gaps under doors and in walls
• Regular disturbance of goods and rotation can make them feel uncomfortable
• Good housekeeping after initial treatment, internal/external bin areas, removal of food waste , spillages, bird tables and all food sources

What laws govern the treatment of rats and mice?

If you run a commercial or public entity, it is important that you deal with any rodent infestation immediately otherwise you could be prosecuted under the Food Safety Act 1990, General Food Hygiene Regulations 2013, Public Health Act 1936 & 1961 and the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949. Failure to comply with these laws could lead to legal action being taken resulting in large fines or even closure.

In all our rodent control programmes we are fully compliant with the following legislation to ensure that we are not causing any harm to non-target animals, nor causing any undue suffering:

• Wild Mammal Protection Act 1996
• Animal Welfare Act 2006
• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
• Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986