The winter months can bring unwanted guests into your home as rats and mice look for shelter against the cold. This year has seen a rise in call outs for pest control of more than double compared to 2005 . Find out more about these cheeky house pests so you can deal with the problem yourself or find the right professional help.



Traditionally October sees a rise in rodent problems as they enter homes to take shelter for the upcoming winter months. Homeserve, a nationwide home emergency insurance and repair company, reported a record month this October ? customer call-outs for rodents were 63% higher than the monthly average for the first nine months of 2007.

Further research shows that rat infestations have increased year on year by 39% across the UK in the past seven years . For house mice the figure is 14% . It's said that there are 5 rats for every human being on the earth, which means you're no more than 15 metres from one at any given time . If you live in London, this figure rises to a rat proximity of about 5 metres. Given these stats, it's a good idea to know a little more about rodents, because as they say: ?Prevention is better than cure.?

Rodents are harmful in the home because they:

?Contaminate everything they encounter with droppings, urine and hairs

?Carry diseases and parasites that are harmful to humans and animals, such as Salmonella and Listeria

?Cause structural damage from their gnawing and burrowing activities. This ranges from minor holes in walls/doors/furniture/cupboards to structural collapse, flooding, electrical faults and fire (they gnaw through cables)

The common things that attract vermin:

?Uncollected garbage and litter

?Food for pets and birds that has been left out and not eaten

?Fruits and berries that have fallen to the ground

?Compost pile that is not taken care of in the correct way

Favourite habitats of rodents:

?Under wood piles or lumber that is not being used often

?Under bushes and vines and in tall thick grass

?In appliances and old furniture that is left outside and is not being used

?In and around garbage and trash that has been left out

?In holes or gaps under buildings

?Inside the insulation of walls or ceilings

?In or behind cupboards, counters and bathtubs

?Near the boiler

?In basements or attics where things like cardboard and cloth are stored

To prevent your home being invaded by these unwanted guests, try the following:

?Rodents can squeeze through holes much smaller than you think, so the first measure is to block all entry points such as pipe openings connecting your washing machine or kitchen sink. Most DIY stores carry materials for this purpose.

?Ensure you never leave food lying around and keep it in rodent proof containers or cupboards. Remember that these pests can gnaw through almost anything not sealed in an airtight container.

?Clear away piles of leaves and fallen fruit from your garden. The less places they have to hide and make their nests, the less likely they are to move in!

If you find you have an infestation of mice or rats, you can tackle the problem using chemicals, traps or electromagnetic devices (these emit a sound that repels rodents, without affecting humans or pets). The different varieties can be bought in DIY stores.

Should you be unsuccessful in getting rid of the rodents, or simply don't want to deal with the problem yourself, there are 2 options for professional help:

?Local Council: each local council has their own policy as to how they deal with rodent removal. While some offer a free service, approximately 60% charge a fee, although in certain cases they offer a discount to those on a low income. Their fees are between ?15 - ?685, but be aware they can't provide a set timescale for their pest control service, which can be a problem if the infestation is serious.

?Private Firms: these charge between ?41 - ?229 . It's a good idea to choose a company who can give you reliable timescales.

All in all, it's important to have the knowledge to choose a means of tackling rodents that best suits your home and lifestyle.