Prime tricks to preserve rats and mice out of your property as points with rodents soar through the winter months

Colder weather is driving rodents indoors as the number of people searching for rat and mouse calls has risen dramatically this fall.

Entokil saw a 50 percent increase in the number of rodent-related visits between August and October compared to the same period last year.

Dublin is the district with the most rodent operations so far in 2022, accounting for 16 per cent of all operations this year. Cork (11 head), Meath (9 head), Galway (6 head) and Wexford (5 head) are the next districts most affected by these pests.

Rodents can be a serious problem for home and business owners as they can spread disease, damage property with their constant gnawing, contaminate food, and even pose a fire hazard by chewing on electrical cords.

Signs of a rodent infestation can include droppings, which are usually found in concentrated places, and scratching noises, as rats and mice are agile climbers and experts at scurrying into tight spaces.

Rodents also leave footprints and abrasion marks, as they use their feet and tails to leave dust trails and dark stains on objects and surfaces.

“When temperatures drop in winter, many rodents will try to get indoors in search of food and shelter. We would advise home and business owners to practice some simple steps that could help protect their premises from rodent activity, such as “Technical Field Service Advisor at Rentokil,” he said.

Rentokil has given the following advice to people who want to protect their homes and businesses from rats and mice:

● Doors – Placing bristle (or brush) strips on the underside of doors can help deter intrusion, particularly in older buildings where the door may not be secure.

● Piping and Holes – Seal gaps around existing or new piping with coarse stainless steel wire wool and caulk (flexible sealant) and check that old piping holes are also sealed.

● Air Bricks and Vents – Cover these with fine galvanized wire mesh, especially if damaged.

● Eaves – Repair damaged roofing and use chicken wire to seal gaps.

● Vegetation – Cut back branches and, if possible, avoid plants growing on the sides of your property. Mice can use tendrils, shrubs or overhanging branches to climb onto roofs. Overgrown vegetation near the walls also provide shelter and potential nesting sites for rodents.

● Lawn – Keep grass trimmed short to reduce shelter and seed for food. Ideally, leave a gap between the building foundations and the garden.