I read with interest in the last week, how it was reported in the national press that some sharp eyed EastEnders fans spotted a hand releasing a rat and holding it by the tail as the shop assistant supposedly ushered it out of the store. Oh if it could be this easy to deal with a rodent problem - I'd be out of a job!
It may raise a smile on avid TV watchers or indeed the critics, but a rat or mouse problem in real life in your home or business is never funny. I can think of a whole raft of emotions people describe or show when I visit them with this problem, but amusement and laughter aren’t a common one!
You can limit the chances of your business or home experiencing this problem by taking some simple steps:
- Don’t let bins overflow with rubbish. Food smells will attract rodents. If there is a problem in your area with overflowing commercial or domestic waste, contact the council before someone else’s problem becomes your nightmare
- Make sure there are no holes around the outside of your home or business allowing for easy access to our furry ‘friends’. Remember that mice can get through a hole just 6mm wide and a rat through a 10mm hole – scary!!!
- Be aware if you feed the birds in winter you can’t choose which wildlife you feed – bird or rodent. It may not be your choice if a ready food source is out in the open
- If you hear a noise in the loft or around the home, don’t ignore it as it will only get worse – Remember rats breed 3/6 times per year with an average litter size of 7/8 young. They are sexually active within 3 months. Mice breed 7/8 times a year with 4 – 16 in a litter and are sexually active within 6 to 8 weeks!! Think about just 2 mice in a house or business. They could have 128 young within 1 year. Remember also that mice do not have to leave the comforts of your home or business as they can survive on as little as 3ml of water per day.
SCARY!!!!!!!