Please be advised that the council no longer provides a pest control service.
Keeping rodent numbers to a minimum
We must all take responsibility to help keep rats and mice numbers to a minimum.
In the home, this means:
- removing all bird food completely not just at night - food is the number one driver of rat and mice infestations
- all chicken feed should be kept to a minimum ideally using a self-opening treadle feeder
- chicken coops should be raised off the ground by around a metre
- keep all food waste safely inside your rubbish bin ensuring the lid is closed at all times
- make sure your compost heap is secure
- tidy up the garden, less mess means fewer places to hide
- encourage your neighbours to do the same
- cleaning kitchens particularly under any toaster or microwave where mouse-sized meals could be available
- ensure pasta, rice and other stored products have not spilled and that packages haven't been nibbled
Pest proofing
For rodents that are getting inside your home, proofing your home to deny entry and removing easy access will help. Rats will need a hole the size of a 50p, for mice the gap needed is just 5mm.
For all rodents problems look for:
- access holes in to the cavity often outside the kitchen or bathroom where pipes have been removed
- broken air bricks or redundant tumble dryer outlets
- holes in the cavity where vegetation is growing up the side of the house. Ideally vegetation should be removed or kept at least kept 1.5 meters from any roof
- gaps under and to the side of garage doors should be smaller than 5mm
- holes around inspection chambers/man hole covers - report this to your waste water provider
- consider placing metal wire leaf guards in the tops of all the gutter down pipes.
Using traps
Break back traps are simple and safe to use and are available for rats and mice. Always follow the instructions on the packaging. This must be done in conjunction with pest proofing tips described above.
Rats
Use peanut butter and place them along established runs. Be sure to tether them with garden wire or they may go missing. If using traps outside you must create a tunnel with stones, bricks or wood from around the garden to make sure you protect non target species from the traps. It’s worth not setting these until the peanut butter has been taken twice to gain the trust of the rodent, once this has happened then set the trap, for best results all other food must be removed. Bodies can be disposed of in your normal waste.
Mice
Simply add a sticky substance like peanut butter. Place these solely inside where you are seeing activity and you should be able to control them quickly, for best results all other food must be removed.
Rodenticide also can help for both rats and mice but make sure you follow the instructions on the product you are using to protect your family, pets and non-target animals. If you buy pesticides from overseas websites they may not be legal to use in this county.
Limiting food and water sources
The removal of water sources is particularly important in the case of rats. Common sources include defective gutters, leaking taps and defective roofs.
The access of pests to food sources can be minimised by storing food correctly. This can be achieved by storing food off the floor, using appropriate storage containers and inspecting new stock on arrival.
Still having problems?
East Hampshire District Council no longer provides a pest control service. If you need a treatment for rats, mice or any other pest, please the British Pest Control Association website.
If you have tried all of the above and feel that the rat or mice activity comes from another property or area and is a public health risk then please contact the customer services team on 01730 266551.