Rats and Mice
The number of brown rats is increasing across the UK but
Ashford has no worse problem than neighbouring boroughs and far
less than larger towns or cities.
The most common rat seen in the UK is the Norway rat (Rattus
Norvegicus). It is thought to have originated from Asia and China.
They were first recorded in the 18th century and were thought to
have arrived in Europe from the east on Norwegian timber ships. The
black rat or ships rat (Rattus Rattus) is much less common and is
only found in very limited numbers especially around port
areas.
There are several factors contributing to the rise in the rat
population including:
- Britain’s milder climate. Nowadays rats can breed all year
round and a female rat can give birth to around 50 young each
year.
- Development and disturbance of habitat can lead to rats having
to find new locations and food sources.
- Human lifestyle, including the increase in eating fast-food in
public and discarding litter inappropriately, leaving dustbin bags
out early or unprotected in gardens
- Bird feeding, and food such as bread left after feeding
duck and swans on lakes and rivers and in parks.
Self Help Guide
- Get rid of potential food sources. Clean up spilled rubbish,
sweep up food spills and place refuse sacks in dustbins with lids.
Do not put dustbins bags out days before they are due to be
collected. If you store pet or other food outside make sure it’s
stored in sealed containers.
- Remove rubbish and piles of discarded vegetation. Get rid of
piles of scrap wood, gathered leaves and other abandoned items
where rodents can hide. Cut back weeds and clutter around
buildings.
- To keep rodents from getting inside your home and outbuildings
fix and replace cracked or broken doors and windows, keep drain
covers in a good safe state of repair and check for holes/cracks in
external walls.
- If you compost use a compost container and if possible place of
a bed of wire mesh to prevent rats tunnelling from the base
inwards. If you have an ‘open’ compost heap, turn frequently to
prevent rats nesting.
- If you feed wild birds only put out an amount birds will eat in
a day. Food left overnight can attract rats even on a bird table.
Remember rats also need water to survive and will enjoy a good
drink from bird baths, and other water features.
Treatment
There are several ways to spot if rats or mice are present. Mice
produce between 40 – 100 droppings daily, 3 - 7 mm long. Rats
average 40 – 50 droppings a day, each roughly 13 – 19 mm. In a
large infestation, a strong odour may be detected from the rodent’s
urine, and shredded paper or burrows outdoors may indicate
nests.
When you have determined you have a rat or mouse problem please
contact our pest control contractor on 0844 335
0330. They will arrange an appointment with you.
The Contractor will endeavour to carry out his first visit to
assess the problem and commence treatment within 48 hours, but
high demand may result in this visit being delayed. Depending on
the nature of the complaint, further visits may be needed.
This webpage was updated on
1/3/2012