“Mice Spotted at
Dartford Pub!”
The Problem with
Rodents
It was a
headline that would send shivers down any business owner’s spine. Diners
enjoying an evening meal spotted not one, but two mice skittering along the
floor of a Dartford pub whilst they ate.
With food crumbs
under tables, it was rich picking for the mice. Normally creatures who run from
human company, why were these mice so brazen in their movements in a crowded
pub and dining area? What can you do to reduce the possibility of mice in and around your home?
Opportunity
Life is full of
opportunities, isn’t it? And the same is true for the humble field mouse, the
small, brown rodent seen running along the edge of the pub dining room, heading
for the cover and safety of a sofa, followed quickly by another mouse.
I.
Food
First and
foremost, the opportunity of nibbling on scraps was too good an opportunity to
pass. With other hungry mouths to feed, the mice were enjoying a veritable
feast of crumbs and snacks beneath tables and chairs.
Even the thought
of being in human company was not enough
to put them off. Diners were obviously critical and put off their meal – and
rightly so – and said that the crumbs under the table were clearly the cause of
the problem.
Food scraps left
out in this way were contributing to the problem but the bad news is, if there
are mice IN the premises, there is bound to be more nearby. In other words, the
mouse problem is bigger than you think…
II.
Weather
Just as there
are opportunities, there are also threats and for the mouse, the biggest threat
other than next door’s cat is the weather. Periods of prolonged heat or rain
will make their normal food source scarce. They really don’t want to take the
risk of being spotted by humans, but when hungry, they will take a chance.
This story was
from early December 2016. And, according to the Met Office, we had a mild
winter with December in particular in southern counties being drier than
average. Could it be that the natural food source of mice was not as bountiful
as it would normally be?
A Bigger Pest
Control Problem
The abundance of
food and possibly the drier than average weather experienced in the region may
have contributed to mice being more of a problem.
Mice, like most
pests, are attracted to places that offer them abundant food and great places
to nest. They want to raise their young in warm, safe places, where there are
few predators – and that includes humans.
In essence, when
mice or any other pest are left alone,
they will thrive. Thus, all food businesses, from food storage facilities to
restaurants, pubs and cafes know that being constantly vigilant and pro-active
in their pest control activities is critical to the continued success of their
business.
For domestic
customers, if you see a mouse, there really is only one option – call SOS Pest
Control, your local, professional pest control company.
