Pest Control

Rats

Rats contaminate food and water and can cause extensive damage to buildings and equipment especially where food is handled or stored. They can gnaw through wood and enlarge masonry openings to gain entrance into buildings. In the construction of their nests they can destroy all types of materials and can cause fires by chewing through insulation cables.

Rats are year-round pests. Under certain conditions they can survive outdoors all through the year. However, activity and indoor migration increases as the weather gets cooler and outdoor food and water sources decrease. Rats are most active during the evening and remain so until the middle of the night. If food and water are scarce, or in the case of large infestations, rats become active during daylight hours. Outdoors rats burrow into the ground. Indoors, nesting can occur in double walls, between ceilings and floors, in any closed in areas, or anywhere rubbish is allowed to accumulate.

If not controlled, an infestation of rats will rapidly increase. Rat droppings - roughly the size and shape of sultanas - near food sources are the most common indication of an infestation but any evidence of gnawing, rub marks, tracks, burrows, nests or damage to stored products are all indications of their presence.

Rats will invade almost any premises. However it is the presence of unsanitary conditions that encourages their activity. To help prevent them infesting your property:

Waste should be prevented from accumulating.
Seal all openings to the outside, including wood around doors and windows; repair masonry and seal openings for utility lines, conduits, and drains.
Put kitchen rubbish into dustbins rather than in plastic bags. If plastic bags must be used only put them out on the day of collection.
Make sure all cans and containers saved for recycling are washed to remove food residue.
Avoid feeding the birds, or only put out small amounts at any one time.
Collect and remove windfall fruit and place in sealed compostor.
Avoid putting food waste straight on to compost heaps.

Mice

Mice are a pest because they suffer from and carry many diseases which can be spread to humans. They can spoil large amounts of food by contaminating it with their droppings and urine and through gnawing. They can also cause serious damage to property by gnawing woodwork, pipes and electric cables.

Look out for droppings - roughly the size and shape of a grain of rice - and damage caused by gnawing. Avoid leaving food exposed and make sure it is kept in containers with close fitting lids. Remove all unwanted articles and general rubbish from yards, alleyways or gardens to discourage rodents building nests. Seal all gaps or holes to prevent mice entering a building. Put food for birds on a bird table or hang it where mice can not reach it.

Wokingham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN.
Telephone: (0118) 974 6000 Minicom: (0118) 974 6991 Email: wokinghambc@wokingham.gov.uk