Pest Control
A house would not be a home without regular visitations from household pests such as mice and insects. Here's how to banish
them.
HELP! I CAN HEAR SCRATCHING BEHIND THE SKIRTING BOARD!
A mouse can squeeze through a hole the width of a pencil. Mice are just as much a threat to health as rats. Black "seeds" on your worktop? Could be mouse droppings.
Mice are smart; they learn to avoid traps and poisonous bait. In some areas mice have become resistant to anti-coagulant baits such as difenacoum and bromadiolone.
YUCK. CAN I DO ANYTHING ELSE?
Poisonous bait traps can be bought, but are best left to the professionals. You may not find the dead rodents until your nose leads you to them. Cats are very effective at dispatching mice, but for rats you will need to borrow at least a Yorkshire terrier. Rats can even pop out of your lavatory, so don't flush any food down. Top tip: keep your lavatory bowl slippery with a bar of soap. It's hell on their claws.
BUT MY PESTS HAVE GOT WINGS ...
Wasps must be dealt with urgently. The nest is often under the eaves of a house, or if you're unlucky in the attic. A wasp nest resembles a cardboard pot. If active, it must be dealt with by a professional. The same thing applies to bees, but these are less common in houses.
ANTS IN THE CARPET...DIRTY LITTLE MONSTERS
Ants, beetles and, worst of all, cockroaches must be extradited or exterminated as they carry bacteria that can cause gastroenteritis, dysentery and diarrhoea.
Insects develop resistance to chemicals, although boric acid in powder form is effective and is less toxic than other agents. Boric acid is available from pharmacies; sprinkle it along entry points such as skirting boards. Take care not to inhale the dust or get it on your skin or in your eyes.
KEEP IT CLEAN
Don't encourage pests by leaving food out. Stash food in airtight containers and clear away crumbs. Keep food cupboards clean and dry. Shut all bins and don't overfill. Store your wheelie bin as far away as is practical from the back door.
Seal up holes in walls or door frames, especially at ground level. Don't block air bricks, though. You can cover these with fine wire mesh. And check that your drains and inspection covers are in good order.
them.
HELP! I CAN HEAR SCRATCHING BEHIND THE SKIRTING BOARD!
A mouse can squeeze through a hole the width of a pencil. Mice are just as much a threat to health as rats. Black "seeds" on your worktop? Could be mouse droppings.
Mice are smart; they learn to avoid traps and poisonous bait. In some areas mice have become resistant to anti-coagulant baits such as difenacoum and bromadiolone.
YUCK. CAN I DO ANYTHING ELSE?
Poisonous bait traps can be bought, but are best left to the professionals. You may not find the dead rodents until your nose leads you to them. Cats are very effective at dispatching mice, but for rats you will need to borrow at least a Yorkshire terrier. Rats can even pop out of your lavatory, so don't flush any food down. Top tip: keep your lavatory bowl slippery with a bar of soap. It's hell on their claws.
BUT MY PESTS HAVE GOT WINGS ...
Wasps must be dealt with urgently. The nest is often under the eaves of a house, or if you're unlucky in the attic. A wasp nest resembles a cardboard pot. If active, it must be dealt with by a professional. The same thing applies to bees, but these are less common in houses.
ANTS IN THE CARPET...DIRTY LITTLE MONSTERS
Ants, beetles and, worst of all, cockroaches must be extradited or exterminated as they carry bacteria that can cause gastroenteritis, dysentery and diarrhoea.
Insects develop resistance to chemicals, although boric acid in powder form is effective and is less toxic than other agents. Boric acid is available from pharmacies; sprinkle it along entry points such as skirting boards. Take care not to inhale the dust or get it on your skin or in your eyes.
KEEP IT CLEAN
Don't encourage pests by leaving food out. Stash food in airtight containers and clear away crumbs. Keep food cupboards clean and dry. Shut all bins and don't overfill. Store your wheelie bin as far away as is practical from the back door.
Seal up holes in walls or door frames, especially at ground level. Don't block air bricks, though. You can cover these with fine wire mesh. And check that your drains and inspection covers are in good order.