How to prevent mice and rats in your home during lockdown

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As if we didn’t have enough to contend with during lockdown – whether you’re desperately trying to keep the kids entertained, or work from home whilst your neighbours are doing DIY – it seems like more of us than ever are having to deal with infestations of rats and mice in our homes. A recent survey by the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), has revealed an increase of 51% and 41% respectively, in domestic settings.

With the nation getting used to eating all three meals at home each day, coupled with a drop in the frequency of bin collections, it’s perhaps no surprise we’re seeing an increase of rodents in our houses. As well as being a nasty surprise, having rats and mice in your property can also be dangerous. They can cause structural damage to your property, not to mention spread germs, bacteria and diseases that make their way into our home surfaces and food, potentially making you and your family ill.

So what can you do to prevent an infestation of rats and mice in your home? London pest control specialists, Catch-it, share their top tips:

  • Keep bin lids sealed – bin bags are no match for a hungry rat – in fact you’re creating something of a mobile home for them where they can keep warm and sheltered from the rain, so make sure you have a proper bin and the lid is correctly sealed. Mice and rats can make their way into even the smallest gaps.
  • Don’t leave leftover food out – this probably goes without saying, but in a busy household, these things can easily happen.
  • Keep your bins out of direct sunlight – this helps to reduce the smell and decrease the rate of decomposition, both of which attracts rats and mice. It’s also a good idea to keep your bins away from windows and doors.
  • Before you throw your food in the bin, wrap it in a plastic bag, or compostable liner, to contain the odour, and keep it more secure.
  • Be vigilant – knowing the signs to be aware of, and making a point to look out for them can help you catch the problem early (especially important, as a female rat has an average litter of 6-8 babies!). Look out for things like scratches to your floors and skirting boards, gnawed cables and wiring, and of course rat droppings.
  • Call an expert – here at Catch-it pest control, we offer a 24-hour emergency pest control service, and we pride ourselves on a thorough job, getting to the root cause of the issue, and ensuring it won’t return.

Contact us on 0208 787 5929 or email us on info@pestcontrol4london.co.uk

 

Author: Editor

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