Advice And Information On Rats And Mice

Rats

The most commonly encountered rat is the brown rat (rattus norvegicus). They live alongside man, invading his buildings and eating his food. Farms, houses, hospitals, schools, food factories, hotels and restaurants all provide shelter and sustenance for an exploring rat. Wild rats are carriers of disease that can be transmitted to man.

Rats are intelligent and social animals, they can jump, swim, and climb very well and prefer to move around in darkness although sightings of them is not uncommon during the day.

Possible indications, although these can be confused with other wild species to the untrained eye are:-

Runs - Rats establish runways, which are regularly used in traveling between food and cover. These are often visible in the vegetation around buildings or fences.
Smears - Rats like to move with their bodies in contact with a solid object and greasy coat stains are often seen along walls or the sides of well travelled objects.
Droppings - The rat's droppings are spindle shaped, about 18mm long, dark brown or black and normally seen in groups.
Gnawing - Signs are often seen at entrances to stores, packing cases or buildings.
Tracks - Foot and tail prints may be seen in mud, dust or snow. These may be difficult to properly identify well.

Some species look and act in a similar way to rats such as the water vole. This is a protected species and professional advice should be sought about any control measures where identification of the species is in doubt.

Rat control must start with good housekeeping

The following advice may help:-

1.	Do not scatter food for birds in the garden. If you feed the birds use a feed container or leave food down only for a short time for ground feeding. Birds always clear any food from the ground before nightfall.
2.	Keep rubbish in sealed bins with well fitting tops, keep long grass and clutter to a minimum to reduce possible harborage,
3.	Fit wire ball cages to the tops of down pipes and soil stacks, this will prevent rats crawling up inside the pipes.	1.
4.	Garages, outbuildings, sheds and rabbit hutches should be kept clutter free. Any stored products or animal foodstuff should be stored in secure containers and not left in the original bag. Outbuildings should be inspected regularly for any signs of rodent activity.
5.	Manhole and inspection chamber covers should be well fitted and in good repair. Any holes appearing around the edges of the cover should be investigated.
6.	Compost bins should stand on a concrete base to prevent tunneling in from the bottom.
7.	Inspect your house for any holes or faults in the brickwork. If the hole is not supposed to be there it needs to be repaired.

Mice

Often the common house mouse (mus domesticus), although there are several similar species all of which will have a similar control method.

Unlike the rat, which is wary of new objects placed in it surroundings, the mouse is very inquisitive and will soon investigate anything in its surroundings. It will fit through gaps 6mm wide and is a very good climber and highly agile. Often it will investigate domestic properties in the late autumn when food sources are low and the temperature drops. Mice will not thrive easily in the same location of rats. They are prolific breeders and are sexually mature 42 days after birth.

Possible evidence of mice may be:-

Gnawing - smaller teeth marks than rats and can be evident almost in anything, such as bars of soap. Shredded paper may be found and damage to packaging may be evident.
Droppings - small black and irregular approx. 2mm long. One mouse can produce up to 60-100 droppings per day
Smell - a mousy stale type odour can be present, especially if they become established.
Sightings - mice may be seen during the day although their most active period is at night.
Tracks - some tracking may be evident in dust although it will not be as easily seen as with rats.

Mouse control is more difficult than rats due to their size and inquisitive nature

Some helpful points for their prevention are:-

1.	Proof or seal any holes around the building in which a pencil can be fitted if the hole is not supposed to be there. Fine wire gauze or sealant should be suitable. If mice are regularly found every year then putting fine wire mesh over airbricks, preventing mice but allowing airflow may need to be considered. Garages, especially those attached to the house, may provide access under swing or up and over doors. Bristle strip fitted to the bottom will help prevent this.
2.	Keep outbuildings clear of clutter, and again, any stored animal feed should be suitably contained.
3.	Do not assume if you have a cat this will be suitable prevention. Sometimes a cat can be the culprit bringing in live mice and dropping/losing them in the house.
4.	If a regular problem with mice is encountered, any ivy or close growing plant to the house may need to be considered to be cut back.
5.	Mice will leave urine trails with a strong scent. Once a mouse problem is cleared in the house a strong smelling disinfectant should be used to clean surfaces and destroy these scent trails where possible.
6.	Pets such as cats and dogs may be highly inquisitive to one particular spot, for example, the kitchen by the washing machine. Their highly developed sense of smell will pick up a mouse smell quicker than our own.

Rats and mice can both produce illness in man, and are both capable of considerable damage and more difficult to control once established.

Professional treatment for rodents in the Peterborough area is available by contacting the Pest and Dog service helpline on 01733 453557.