Rodent Control After The Summer Harvest

With the newly cut fields and the colder nights drawing in rodents such as rats and mice are seeking new warmer homes for the winter. Unfortunately for us though their new homes tend to be our homes so now is a perfect time to block any holes or install repellents to get rid of those pesky vermin. However if the rodents are already inside the property using poisons carefully is another fast fix.

Blocking holes is a quick fix. We highly recommend using wire wool and nothing else for this. What defines a rodent a rodent is their continuous growing teeth. Having teeth that never stop growing means that the rodent needs to gnaw to keep their teeth sharp and short. Continuous gnawing means that the rodent can actually drill holes through concrete, plastics, wood etc however filling holes with wire wool will cut the gums of the rodent and they won’t be able to pass. The rodent isn’t too persistent with gnawing through wire wool and will leave the property quickly.

The installation of an ultrasonic pest repellent will also work very well. I have been asked many times whether they work or not, and the answer is yes. They are lots of different variations of pest repellents on the market, some have the ultrasonic setting, others have both the ultrasonic and electromagnetic setting. The ultrasonic pest repellent only work in open space and only in the single room the unit is plugged into. One of these units is never enough, and we would recommend installing more throughout the house and remembering to install the unit in open corridors or in plug-sockets that aren’t being blocked by any furniture. Units that also have the electromagnetic setting are better units as these units will protect the cabling of the property as well as the room they are plugged into. They will go through cavity walls via the cables and it will stop rodents from chewing through cabling which will ultimately save you money on repairs. It must be noted the ultrasonic devices are not an immediate fix and can take up to 3 weeks. Rodents have been seen to approach the unit itself, but this does not signify that the unit is broken.

The final other method of rodent pest control is using the traditional poison method. Using rodent poison bait carefully and according to the label is a preferred method of controlling rats and mice but users must be careful that only the targeted species are killed. Open bait trays can only be used indoors and away from pets and really are ideal for loft areas (make sure you don’t have bats and poisoning squirrels is also illegal). Open bait stations are easy to refill and monitor and uptake can be quicker then boxes. For larger areas, open bait sources are far less time consuming and cost effective. For anything outside , if it be under a shed etc. a locked bait station is required. Loose bait can be used in boxes but remember to put them in trays inside a box to stop spillage. Placing a brick or a heavy object on top of the box is also recommended. Block bait is also available and its also ideal for indoor and outdoor use. Block bait is for use inside bait boxes and is far safer to use in areas of activity, for example in corridors, play areas, near dogs etc. Block bait is either tightly packed into the box or comes on a spindle so spillage isn’t possible. Block bait is a very safe bait to use and is preferred over loose bait.

Most customers ask about where the rodent dies and in 9 cases out of 10 the rodent will die in its nest. The poison can be a single feed kill or multiple kills do it isn’t an instant kill. The rodent will begin to feel unwell and in most cases will wonder home. If you do find a dead rodent we suggest that you bag and bin it, or bury it.

Alternative methods to controlling rodents are trapping but as with poisons you need to be careful in setting the traps. Rat and Mouse Traps are violent object that can hurt pets, children and adults, so when using a traps positioning is very important.

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Disposable Fly Traps Are Just The Beginning: Natural Remedies For Summer Pest Control

It’s not that I want a bugless summer. Not at all. Summer would lose half its magic without the song of cicadas or the glow of fireflies.

It’s the other bugs that (ahem) bug me. (You’ve never heard that before, have you?)

For me, the triumvirate of summer pests is as follows: Ants. Mosquitos. House flies.

I adore the warm weather, I don’t even mind humidity (sweat out those toxins!), but when I see flies on the window screen, I go cold inside. I tremble. I start rifling through the space under the sink, looking for last year’s disposable fly traps. Because you know how flies do, they multiply. They buzz. They drive me crazy.

And then, oh joy, mosquitos. If only itchy red bumps would start being considered a stylish accessory, I would be at the height of fashion. Instead, I’m afraid to wear summer skirts lest people steer clear of me entirely, fearing chicken pox.

The ants, however, are my arch nemeses. I use the plural here because there is no such thing as one ant. Ants are armies, they march in lines from the door, up the cabinets and walls, finding their way to my sink. Why? I want to ask them. Perhaps I would be less upset if I could understand them better. But there is no negotiating with bugs, not with preconditions or otherwise.

Which brings me to the point. This summer I’ve stocked up on disposable fly traps, consulted the catchmaster, and I am prepared to deal with my three least favorite pests. How? I’m glad you asked. Not being a bug, myself, I am able and delighted to talk this through with you.

1. Ants

First, try not to make your kitchen too enticing. Keep counters and the floor clean and crumb-free. Under no circumstances leave the sugar bowl out in the open, and unless you’re a glutton for punishment, double bag that honey jar.

Don’t leave dishes soaking overnight. I know, it’s summer and you want to relax, but what’s more relaxing, knowing ants aren’t in the house or skipping the dishes? For me, it’s a no-brainer.

If the ants come in, there are various home remedies to try on them that might surprise you. Cucumbers, for example. Leave a few slices out. Ants hate them. You can also try cayenne, citrus oil, or a mix of Borax and water. I’ve dumped Borax in the cracks around my sink and it did the trick, but that was back in my bachelorette days. Don’t use it if you have pets or kids in the house.

If those natural remedies fail you, it’s time for a Catchmaster insect trap. (That’s kind of where all of these roads lead. Help is on the way!)

2. Mosquitos

Mosquitos are attracted to standing water. Kiddie pools, birdbaths, your pet’s water bowl–make sure you change the water in these at least twice a week. Check the gutters, too. Don’t leave anything in the yard that collects water.

Natural remedy time! Citronella, in my experience, doesn’t do a whole lot. Eucalyptus helps some. Toss sage or rosemary on the barbecue if you’re grilling out. I’ve heard of spraying yourself with garlic water, but vanity prohibits me from trying this one, myself.

Plant marigolds!

3. House flies

I’m a big believer in disposable fly traps. This is because I am not a big believer in fly swatting, which has only ever felt like an exercise in futility in my experience.

You can also try keeping mint, basil, bay leaves, cloves or clover on your window sills. If it doesn’t keep the flies out, at least it will smell good.

And for heaven’s sake, even if you were raised in a barn, close the door.

In order to maintain a healthy and hygienic environment, it is crucial to control the pest population, and it is often a good idea to call in the experts, as specialist knowledge makes total eradication more likely, helping to prevent a repeat attack.

One current concern for pest control experts is the global resurgence of bedbug cases.  Widely thought to have been eradicated over the twentieth century, there has been a massive increase in reported cases in the UK since the mid 1990s.  One possible reason for this problem is the increase in international travel, and the swift moving nature of infestations lies in the fact that not only is it difficult to definitively establish the presence of bedbugs, but that they can also be found in both private and commercial properties.

It is important to be sufficiently well informed of the causes and appearance of bed bugs to boost your chances of early detection and therefore cure and future prevention.  Bedbugs are from the insect family Cimicidae, and it is named for the fact that its typical habitats are mattresses, sofas and other soft furnishings.  With these areas in mind, adult bed bugs grow to around 4-5mm in length, making them visible to the human eye, and are generally brown in colour, flattish, oval shaped and nocturnal.

The bites of bedbugs are typically found in clusters, take the appearance of red welts or bumps and cause an intense itching sensation for the victim.  BBC One’s ‘The One Show’ recently produced a special report on the presence of bedbugs in London, and came to the conclusion that many traditional solutions and cures for bedbugs have ceased to work effectively, compounding the need for professional help.

So at this time of year, although there is no cause for alarm, do try to be vigilant as an early detection of bedbug infestations means the likelihood of successful eradication is far greater.

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