The British Pest
Control Association (BPCA) has issued a stark warning to home and business
owners this winter that rats are becoming not only immune to over-the-counter,
mass produced pelleted poisons but are becoming stronger and bigger too.
What can you do this winter to
keep your property rat-free?
They have been dubbed in the
popular press as ‘mutant rodents’, rats that are immune to poisons and are
becoming alarmingly big and strong too. These super-rats have been seen in the
cities rather than in towns or more rural locations, with residents fearing
that their homes, as well as businesses could be under siege.
What
are the solutions?
Fortunately, as BPCA went on to
explain, there are solutions to dealing with this super-rat.
Some rats are still immune to the
over-the-counter poisons but, as people are handling poison which can cause
them harm, as well as pets and wildlife, the obvious solution is to get hold of
an expert, professional pest controller.
The products available to buy are
not as strong as the professional-grade materials and rodenticides that pest
controllers can use. This is because to buy and use them, strict legislation
needs to be adhered to and pest controllers are the right people to contact.
But, there are other practical
preventative solutions that home and business owners can take.
Steps
to keeping rats at bay, including giant rodents
With announcements that some
local authorities are looking at monthly or three weekly bin collections, many
homeowners are concerned that once again, they will be paying the price with
increased vermin and pests in their gardens.
Laying poison in the open is not
a safe or effective solution, understanding the habits of rodents can be
fundamental in preventing an infestation:
·
Sheds,
garages and outdoor buildings should be sealed as much as possible – rats
can squeeze through a whole of 15mm.
Don’t forget to check vents and pipes for damage too.
·
Get
gardening – overgrown gardens make perfect cover for rats and other pests
to move around undetected. Cut back growth and keep it short.
·
Remove or
block access to bins and compost bins too – in winter, like all animals and
rodents, their natural food supply becomes short thus, they will look to other
sources of food. Bins and compost bins etc., make perfect food sources for
rats.
·
Get a cat
– if you don’t have cat, and are not averse to getting one, research has shown
that a cat around a property can be a great deterrent.
Rats in and around your property
is unacceptable. They spread disease as well as cause a huge amount of damage.
If you see one, there are others – call for pest control advice and treatment.
