At Trust A Trader, we do our best to bring people information that will help them to protect their homes. This month, we talked to one of our trusted registered pest control specialists about how you can control unwanted guests in and around your home.
The first signs of spring may be on their way, but we still don’t like to be outside for too long, preferring the warmth and comfort of our cosy homes. And unfortunately, we are not the only ones. About now, rodents are looking for somewhere warm and safe to make their nest; somewhere protected from the elements, and with a plentiful supply of food. And they may decide that your home is the perfect place to bring a new family into the world. Whether you are an animal lover, or you can’t bear rodents, having them in your home uninvited can put your health and your property at risk. Here is what you need to know, from The Exterminator.
You are unlikely to actually see rats or mice in your home unless the infestation is severe. To prevent it from getting to the point of “severe infestation”, it is best to rely on all of your senses when looking for signs that rodents have taken up residence in your home.
Warning signs
Sound
- listen out for scurrying or scratching sounds in the walls or loft.
Sight – look for:
- droppings, particularly around areas where you have packets of food.
- Holes and chewed areas of food packaging.
- Crumbs.
- Small hairs.
- “Runways” – hard to reach areas where a path has been cleared in the dust by tiny feet.
- Holes in walls and floors.
Smell
- rodent nests can give off a stale smell. If you notice a funny smell coming from a concealed or hard to reach area, it could be rats or mice; look for other signs or call your local pest control specialist.
Rat or mouse?
If you suspect that you have rodents living in your home, you may not care what species it is. However, it is easy to differentiate between the two. Droppings are a good indicator: rats are fairly clean and will tend to use one toilet area, their droppings are torpedo shaped and about a centimetre long. Mice, meanwhile, will leave droppings everywhere, and their droppings are about the shape and size of a grain of rice.
If you think that you might have a rodent infestation, the best course of action is to contact your local pest control specialist. If you live in or around Chelmsford, we recommend The Exterminator, who have fantastic reviews from happy customers. Do you want to know more? In our next blog, we will have more information from the team at The Exterminator on preventing rodent infestations, and what to do if you suspect that you have rodents taking up residence in your home.