Rodents - Rats & Mice


 

If you think you’ve got mice or rats running around in your house, and you need pest control in North London, contact us for a rapid response

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Why control Rodents?

There are a few issues to consider if you discover a mouse or rat infestation:

  • Contamination of food – pathogens found in mouse droppings and urine can lead to the spread of dangerous diseases such as Leptospirosis, commonly known as Weil’s Disease and Salmonellosis.
  • Property damage – Rodents gnaw at a range of items found in homes and business, some of which can cause safety issues such as increased risk of fire & flood from chewing through wires and pipes
  • Spread of diseases – Rodents carry pathogens in their urine and faeces which can transmit Hantavirus, Salmonellosis, Listeria and more
  • Business reputation – if customers notice that you have a Rodents infestation, they may decide to stop working with you

 

 

 

 

About Rats

In the UK there are two types of rat which have a tendency to cause problems for homes and businesses – brown (common) rats and black rats. Although black rats (Rattus rattus) are more rare, they are excellent climbers and tend not to burrow. Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) are more common, spend their time burrowing outside and can also be found in sewers. Rats are persistent animals and once they gain access to your property, they can spread bacteria, diseases and cause a lot of damage.

How do you know if you have a Rat problem?

Although you may not have seen any rats, you may have heard scratching noises or found some small dark brown droppings. There may also be greasy rub marks on smooth surfaces, rat holes where they have created shelter, rat nests made from soft materials or footprints in dusty areas. Rats are mainly active at night so it’s possible that you may never actually see them.

Why control Rats?

There are a few issues to consider if you discover a rat infestation:

  • Property damage – rats will gnaw their way through wires, insulation, pipes, woodwork and more. They also tend to make nests out of any soft material they can find such as insulation or fabrics
  • Contamination – pathogens found in rat droppings and urine can lead to the spread of dangerous diseases such as Leptospirosis, commonly known as Weil’s Disease and Salmonellosis.
  • Fire safety – the insurance sector have estimated that rodent damage to wiring is responsible for 25% of all electrical fires in buildings (info from BPCA)
  • Reputation – if you have a rodent infestation, it doesn’t reflect well on your business. Customers could spot evidence of rats on your premises and no longer work with you
  • Legal obligation – property owners have a legal obligation under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 to keep premises rodent free or to report infestations to the local authority (info from BPCA).

 

 

 

What Sparta Pest Control Offer:

  • Identifying external areas surrounding your premises or home that are likely to attract rats.
  • The responsible use of trapping to remove the problem from your home. At times we may need to use chemicals.
  • How rats are accessing your property.
  • What foods and conditions are likely to encourage rat problems.
  • Treatment and proofing of entrance points with rodent mesh and drain guards.

 

 

 

 

 

What Sparta Pest Control Offer:

  • The responsible use of trapping to remove the problem from your home. At times we may need to use chemicals.
  • We can proof pest entrance points to block entry into your property.

 

 

About Mice 

In the UK there are many species of mice but only a few are considered as pests and are therefore subject to control. The main species you may encounter in your home, garden or business are:

Field mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) rarely go into houses but will find sheds and barns during the winter. They have a passion for fruit and vegetables so are a particular threat to farms and small holdings.

House mice (Mus domesticus) are active all year round and often be found making themselves comfortable within your home or business premises.

Yellow necked field mice (Apodemus flavicollis) are mostly found in rural areas, however, they’re also well known to cause a fire risk by chewing through electrical wiring.

How do you know if you have a problem?

  • Mice are mainly active at night so they can search for food and hide themselves during the day. Some common signs of mice to look out for include:
  • Small, dark droppings on or inside cupboards and also along skirting boards
  • Grease marks along walls, floors and skirtings which mark out the mouse’s regular travel routes
  • Urine pillars, which are a combination of dirt, urine and body grease which can be up to 4cm high and 1cm wide
  • You may hear scratching noises at night when mice are at their most active. They tend to be found in walls, under floorboards, in basements or lofts
  • Nests are built using easy to shred materials such as cardboard and fabrics. They can be found in lofts, walls, under floorboards, in airing cupboards and behind appliances
  • Footprints may be seen in unused areas where floors and walls are dusty
  • Spotting a live or dead mouse during the day can be a sign of a heavy infestation
  • Strong ammonia smells may be present because mice urinate frequently