Rats are intelligent and extremely agile creatures capable of working out how to overcome obstacles and barriers to get to a food source. The most common rat is the Norway or Brown Rat. They breed very rapidly and the saying goes "for every one seen there's another twenty about". To some people think they are cute creatures that visit the bird table; and this is often the reason for their presence in the first place. Rats need to gnaw continuously to keep their teeth in check because they are constantly growing. They will gnaw anything including wood, pipes (metal or plastic), electric cable and even masonry. They are carriers of disease including; Rat Bite Fever, Leptospyrosis or Weils Disease, Salmonella and Typhus. They also carry fleas, ticks, mites, and intestinal worms.

Control: Clear away all food stuff from the bird table including spillage on the ground each day before nightfall. Place objects of any sort close to any burrows seen and constantly change them about; rats have a fear of new objects in their surroundings, a term called Neophobia. Eventually they may leave. Other controls include traps, baiting in specifically designed boxes, gassing or the use of terriers.

Mice are equally as agile as rats but not as intelligent. However mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a pencil, they also breed rapidly. Mice – like rats – are incontinent and dribble urine everywhere they go; and also need to gnaw. They spread diseases such as Llisteria and Salmonella.

Control: Traps, baits, contact dusts and gels are usually effective.

Call now on 07776 205 346 or email info@angliapestmanagement.co.uk.