The main evidence to suggest the presence of rats and mice are the signs they leave behind for example faecal droppings, burrows, chewed wires, chewed out holes in walls, tracks, nesting materials and urine stains. The most likely times to hear or see rodents are after dark and early in the morning. Rats can chew holes in walls similar in size to a tennis ball.
Rodents
Rats
The most common species of rats is the brown rat, which can be 24 cm in length and weigh up to a kilo. The brown rat is usually found at ground level while the black rat tends to climb to upper levels of buildings. Rats spread a lot of dieses which they pick up from their dirty surroundings, for example waste skips and sewers. They can contaminate more water and food than they eat.
Rats teeth are continually growing therefore they constantly gnaw to keep them worn down. They can cause structural damage to plastic, lead pipes, wood and in some cases even strip insulation from electric wiring. It is vital that immediate professional help is sought if an infestation of rats occurs on a premises. It is possible for rats to produce between 600 and 700 offspring in their lifetime. Control procedures can be implemented to eradicate problems of infestation.
Rats teeth are continually growing therefore they constantly gnaw to keep them worn down. They can cause structural damage to plastic, lead pipes, wood and in some cases even strip insulation from electric wiring. It is vital that immediate professional help is sought if an infestation of rats occurs on a premises. It is possible for rats to produce between 600 and 700 offspring in their lifetime. Control procedures can be implemented to eradicate problems of infestation.
Mice
Mice enter buildings for food, shelter and nesting in particular during winter months. They are excellent at climbing and can pass through the smallest of gaps. They gnaw on wood, gas and water pipelines, electric wiring and plastics. Like rats they contaminate more food than they consume. Mice can deposit up to 70 droppings over a 24 hour period and mark their territory by urinating on a regular basis.
Contact Verisure Environmental Services today to arrange a discreet and efficient pest control treatment against rats and mice on your property
Contact Verisure Environmental Services today to arrange a discreet and efficient pest control treatment against rats and mice on your property
Wasps and their nests are generally most problematic during summer time; however they can also cause problems during winter, taking shelter under floorboards and in attics. Their nests begin as a small number of cells before increasing to the size of a football in many cases. A single nest can yield as many as 30,000 wasps in one year. If you have a lot of wasps in and around your property this is a good indication that a wasps nest is close by. It can be very dangerous to try and swat a wasp close to its nest as they produce a pheromone which leads to other wasps becoming more aggressive.
Cockroaches are generally found in buildings with a lot of heat for example boiler rooms and kitchens as they are native to hot climates. They can also be found in buildings like hospitals, restaurants, apartments and any other type of building where food is stored. The most common type of cockroach found in Ireland is the German cockroach. Adults have wings but seldom fly; they are a pale brown colour and under proper conditions can survive for as long as 12 months.
Fleas are very small insects, only 2mm in length. They can jump up to 16 inches high and begin laying eggs as early as after their very first meal. They have no wings and a flat body from one side to another. They are a brown-red colour and have developed legs which help them to jump.
The most common species of ant found in buildings and homes is the black garden ant. It is dark brown in colour.
Bedbugs are generally found in buildings which have high tirnovers of residents for example hotels, rented properties, holiday homes and hostels. They are a small brown disc like shape around 3.6mm in length. They have no wings but have strong legs which allows them to crawl up vertical objects for example the legs on a bed.
Most types of fly vomit saliva on food surfaces and suck up the subsequent liquid as a means of food source. Consequently, food becomes contaminated with bacteria from flies feet and guts. Effects of contamination include food poisoning as well as other illnesses. Flies are also known to carry eggs of parasitic worms.