Dealing with Pests

In towns and cities rats mostly live on and in rubbish. Their presence can be a sign that a clean-up of the premises, house, shed, garage or section is required.

This means you need to:

• Clean up inside. Old newspapers or magazines, boxes, rags and junk in cupboards, spare rooms and basements provide ideal nesting places for rodents. In kitchens especially, any neglected corner or cupboard, including the hotwater cupboard and behind the refrigerator, can become a home for mice.
• Clean up outside. Piles of bricks, timber, rubble, derelict cars or appliances, heaps of garden rubbish, and overgrown parts of the section can be used by rats and mice for nesting. Trees overhanging eaves can provide access for rats to ceiling space and attics.
• Composting should be carried out in properly constructed compost bins. A rodent-proof floor is a good idea to stop burrowing.
• Make sure rubbish bins have tight-fitting lids that are always kept on.
• Fix dripping taps and don’t let water collect in buckets or tins outside.
• Don’t leave food for pets or birds out overnight where rats can get at it.

Rats and mice are very mobile and can get into buildings in all sorts of ways. They can climb vertical surfaces and gnaw through walls and gaps around windows and doors. Mice need a hole only 12mm wide while rats can squeeze through holes not much bigger. They are also good swimmers using waterways and sewers. You should:

• seal holes around pipes into buildings with cement or metal sheathing
• make sure doors and windows fit tightly and repair any damage
• screen all holes and gaps into basements and houses with fine wire mesh.

Poison and traps are the best ways of killing rats and mice.

Poison baits

Baits are the most effective form of rat control. With all baits, follow the instructions on the packet carefully and remember:

• Keep pets and children out of danger by putting bait inside a piece of drainage pipe or box with 75mm holes in each end.
• Use fresh bait and protect it from the weather. Wax-coated bait is available for outside use, and can be purchased from garden and agricultural centres.
• Leave baits down for at least two weeks after the rodent activity appears to have ceased. Remember, modern baits take some time to work so keep replacing any bait taken making as little disturbance as possible.
• For mice, put down a number of bait stations fairly close together. This will ensure they eat enough as they tend to nibble a little of each.
• Use disposable gloves when handling bait and always wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

Traps

Traps work well for catching mice. Set several close together and ensure the bait is firmly attached. Rats on the other hand are smarter and tend to avoid traps. They learn quickly to stay away from them if they have previously set one off. Remember:

• If setting a trap inside, it’s best to put it close to the wall at right angles with the trigger nearest the wall.
• A good strategy is to bait, but not set, the trap for several days to get the rat used to feeding from it.
• For outside trapping, put the trap in a burrow entrance or on rat runs if these are obvious. It is advisable to tie the bait on and secure the trap firmly, otherwise you may lose both the trap and the rat.
• Always use rubber gloves when removing dead rats. Wash your hands afterward.