Rodents eat food meant for humans or pets, contaminate it with faeces and cause damage to buildings and crops. They can easily chew through various materials such as wood, cement, plastic, brick, aluminium or lead, and these are just a few examples of what they can get through.
According to BPCA (British Pest Control Association), the insurance sector has estimated that 25% of all electrical fires in buildings are due to rodent damage to the electrical system.
There are two species of rats in the UK: Once the most common species: Black Rat (Rattus rattus) which has been pushed out by the Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus). If you see a rat, it is most likely the latter.
Rats spread many diseases harmful to humans, some of them are Leptospirosis or Weil's disease, Salmonella, Listeria, Toxoplasma gondii and Hantavirus. They are also causing damage to the buildings and structures, they can cause fire by chewing insulation around the cables, flood by chewing through the water pipes, and they even can chew through a gas pipe. They live communally and often construct burrow systems. They feed mostly at night. If you see one during the daytime, it may indicate that the infestation is very severe and you should take action swiftly.
Identification:
Black Rat:
Black, brown, grey-ish or red-ish. Tail longer than head and body. Slender body. Large ears and eyes.
Weight: 100-300g.
Head and body length: 150-220mm
Tail length: 180-250mm
Brown Rat:
Brown colour. Tail of about 80% of the body length. Blant muzzle. Heavy body. Small-ish ears and eyes.
Weight: 250-500g (max 720g)
Head and body length: 200-270mm
Tail length: 150-210mm
Treatment:
If you plan to deal with the infestation yourself you can use over-the-counter products. Always follow the manufacturer specifications to ensure environmental safety. The poison must be used as a last resort. The best practice is to remove access, water and food sources.
We will always recommend using professional services. Our technicians are trained and certified on using the appropriate techniques. In the UK you must be certified to purchase rodenticides that are much more potent than the over the counter rat poisons. Contact us now for a free, non-obligatory survey.
In the UK there are two species of mouse - a House mouse (Mus musculus) and a Field mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). Both of them are considered pests and both of them can cause issues in domestic and commercial settings. If you have a mouse that lives in your property, it is most likely a house mouse. A field mouse prefers living outside however it may invade premises looking for food or seeking shelter in bad weather. The both can cause severe damage to the property and spread diseases, including salmonella, hantavirus, and leptospirosis.
Identification:
House mouse (Mus musculus):
Large rounded ears and prominent black eyes. Typically light brown or grey but can range in colour from white to black. The tail length is about 80% of the head and body length.
Weight: 15-18g.
Head and body length: 70-90mm
Tail length: 55-72mm
Field mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus):
Eyes and ears larger than the house mouse. Reddish tinge to fur, with a much lighter belly. The tail is typically of the same length as the body and head.
Weight: 25g on average.
Head and body length: 80-100mm
Tail length: 80-100mm
Treatment:
It is very important to correctly identify species of the mouse treated as the treatment varies between them.
Both of them can be controlled with life traps and kill traps, however there are no chemicals approved to control field mouse. They are omnivores and would eat practically any food, but they much prefer cereal grains. As part of the treatment it is always good to restrict access to food sources. Unlike rats they do not need water to survive so removing it will not aid the treatment but may help to avoid different issues in the future such as insect and rat infestations.
We will always recommend using professional services. Our technicians are trained and certified on using the appropriate techniques. In the UK you must be certified to purchase rodenticides that are much more potent than the over the counter rat poisons. Contact us now for a free, non-obligatory survey.
The only mole species found in the UK is the common mole (Talpa europaea). It is a small, furry animal with a long snout and a short tail.
Common moles are solitary animals and are most active at night. They spend their days digging tunnels in search of food, which consists mainly of earthworms, grubs, and other small invertebrates. Common moles also eat fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Common moles are not considered to be a major pest, but they can cause damage to gardens and lawns by their tunnelling activities. They can also spread diseases, such as salmonella and leptospirosis.
Identification:
Mole hills are more often seen than the creature itself. Typically black with velvety fur. Their front limbs are spade-like with sharp claws. The hind limbs are small and undeveloped. They have very small eyes and a pink pointed snout.
Weight: 72-128g
Head and body length: 90-165mm
Tail length: 25-40mm
Treatment:
There are a few ways to control moles in the UK. One way is to use traps. There are a variety of different traps available, including snap traps, gas traps, and live traps. Traps should be placed in areas where moles are active, such as near their runs.
Another way to control moles is to use fumigation. Fumigation involves using a gas to kill the moles. The gas is usually injected into the mole's tunnels, where it kills the moles. Fumigation can be effective, but it is important to take precautions to avoid inhaling the gas yourself.
You can also try to prevent moles from coming to your garden by:
Removing molehills
Making sure your garden is well-drained
Planting plants that moles do not like
Using a mole repellant
We will always recommend using professional services. Our technicians are trained and certified on using the appropriate techniques. In the UK you must be certified to purchase rodenticides that are much more potent than the over the counter rat poisons. Contact us now for a free, non-obligatory survey.
There are two main types of squirrels in the UK: the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). The grey squirrel is the more common type and is the one that is typically seen in gardens and parks. The red squirrel is less common and is found mainly in the Scottish Highlands. It is important to be able to identify the type of squirrel you are seeing in order to control them effectively. Grey squirrels are a pest species in the UK, as they compete with native red squirrels for food and habitat. Red squirrels are a protected species, so it is illegal to kill them without a licence. Squirrels can cause damage to buildings and plants. Squirrels can carry a strain of the bacterium Mycobacterium lepromatosis, the causal agent for Henson's Disease or Leprosy in humans.
Identification:
Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis):
Grey fur with a fluffy tail.
Weight:500g
Head and body length: 250-265mm
Tail length: 220mm
Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
Fur colour in adults can vary from cream, through all shades of red and brown to black. It is much smaller than a grey squirrel.
Weight: 350g
Head and body length: up to 240mm
Tail length: up to 200mm
Treatment:
Squirrels are attracted to food, so it is important to secure the food sources. Keep your bird feeders clean and empty, and store your food in airtight containers.
Squirrels can enter your home through small openings, so it is important to block any entry points. Check your windows and doors for any cracks or gaps, and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping.
You can also use life traps, however, once a grey squirrel is caught, it is illegal to release it and it must be humanely dispatched.
We will always recommend using professional services. Our technicians are trained and certified on using the appropriate techniques. In the UK you must be certified to purchase rodenticides that are much more potent than the over the counter rat poisons. Contact us now for a free, non-obligatory survey.
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a medium-sized canid native to Europe, Asia, and North America. It is the most widely distributed member of the dog family, and is found in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and urban areas.The red fox is a generalist carnivore, and its diet consists of a wide variety of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and fruits. It is an opportunistic predator, and will often scavenge for food. The red fox is a social animal, and lives in dens with other foxes. Dens are typically located in underground burrows, or in abandoned buildings or other structures. The red fox is an intelligent animal, and is known for its cunning and adaptability. It is a successful predator, and has been able to adapt to a wide variety of habitats. It kills livestock, gamebirds, poultry and domestic pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs and sometimes cats.hey may also spread diseases to dogs that are transferred with mites.
Identification:
It resembles a small dog in appearance. It has reddish fur and usually a white tip to the tail.
Weight: 5.5-6.5kg
Head and body length: 45-90cm
Tail length: 30-55.5cm
Treatment:
The first measure should be prevention such as erecting fox proof fences.
They can also be controlled by shooting, which may not be possible in urban and suburban settings.
Another way to control is live trapping. It is illegal to use incorrect type of gun or incorrect traps to control them. There is no approved chemical that can be used to control foxes.
We will always recommend using professional services. Our technicians are trained and certified on using the appropriate techniques. In the UK you must be certified to purchase rodenticides that are much more potent than the over the counter rat poisons. Contact us now for a free, non-obligatory survey.
Glis glis, also known as edible dormouse, is a small rodent that is native to Europe. It is considered to be a pest in the UK, as it can cause damage to gardens and property.
Identification:
The edible dormouse is a medium-sized rodent with grey fur
Weight: 140g on average
Head and body length: 150mm on average
Tail length: 120mm on average
Treatment:
Edible dormouse has a confused legal status and a class license is required to trap or kill them.
Glis glis are attracted to food, so you can remove their food sources to make it less likely that they will come to your property. This includes things like birdseed, fruit, and vegetables. Glis glis can enter your home through small openings, so it is important to seal up any entry points. Check your windows and doors for any cracks or gaps, and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping since they are really good climbers. There are a few repellents that you can use to keep Glis glis away from your property.
We will always recommend using professional services. Our technicians are trained and certified on using the appropriate techniques. In the UK you must be certified to purchase rodenticides that are much more potent than the over the counter rat poisons. Contact us now for a free, non-obligatory survey.