The thought of rodents sharing our home, garden, outbuildings, sheds and garaged with us is not a pleasant thought and, when you see why rats and mice can be a problem, you will understand why…

  • Threats to human health – rats, in particular, carry a bacteria naturally in their gut which, if we come in to contact with it, can cause us to be very ill. Coming in to contact with rat urine and faeces can mean that we inadvertently ingest this bacteria; within days, a high temperature and nausea will set in. It is an illness that is not pleasant and so you can now see why dealing with a rat problem is imperative!
  • Breeding – rats and mice are also prolific breeders; the female rate, for example, can have litters all through the year if the conditions are right, producing up to 14 babies per litter, although half this number is more common. Forming family groups with a hierarchy, rats live together in groups but if their numbers become too big, they will fight for territory. What this effectively means is that if you see one rat, there will be others lurking…
  • Damage – rats and mice will east almost anything but not only that, their strong teeth will gnaw through all kinds of materials. They do this in order to pulp material for their nests. Rats in particular will shred and gnaw their way through many different items, from stored materials to wood, cardboard or paper. They carry on doing this to keep their nests warm and safe. However, if there is a ready food supply near-by, such as a rubbish bin, they will use this as their ‘supermarket’!

WHY do rats and mice become a problem?

Many customers often ask us why rats or mice have become a problem at their property, even though they have had no issues in the past. There are many reasons why such as;

  • Weather – prolonged periods of rain, accompanied by flooding will see mice and rats in particular, taking up residence in outbuildings, garages and cellars etc. Normally living in riverbanks and woodland for example, when these are flooded like us, they become displaced and so seek new places to shelter.
  • Attractive – our homes are attractive to rats and mice too! They are warm, there is often a food source nearby and they are unlikely to be at risk of predators etc. Neither of these rodents seeks our company, but our homes and properties are perfect for them, just as they are for us.
  • Environment – habits change and the need to recycle more is also appealing to rats; the growth in the number of compost bins in gardens across the Lincoln, along with businesses composting food waste, and the decrease in the number of times bins are collected and emptied has all been in the favour of not just the environment, but pests too. Rats enjoy rotting food waste; mice do too!

Too big a problem?

Many people think that because rats and mice are common, with a population that is large, that there is not much that can be done. However, with a qualified and expert pest controller on the case, the rat and mouse population can be brought under control…

  • It may be that rats and mice will need to be trapped or another method used to decrease their numbers
  • As part of the treatment, preventative measures will also need to be taken to discourage other rats and mice form entering the premises, for example, mice can enter the wall cavities of a property through the smallest of gaps or vents; it is possible to seal or block these holes, and replace the vent so that the rodent cannot enter the wall space
  • Likewise, taking a detailed look at the immediate vicinity may also help in identifying what could also be attracting rats and mice to the area – and taking precautions to stop them enjoying the delights of the rubbish bins, compost bins etc.

Do NOT hesitate to call us when you spot either mouse or rat droppings, or see the animal itself; for your own health, don’t take any risks – we can deal with the problem quickly and effectively.