How to get rid of rats and rodents in your home

How to tell if you have a mice or rat infestation

Telltale signs of mice or rats include:

• Small black droppings near food
• Scratching noises
• Signs of gnawing
• A strong musky odour

If you suspect a problem, identify where the mice or rats are living and feeding, as well as the routes they take between these areas (look for holes, droppings and footprints). Remember, a mouse or a rat can squeeze through a hole the size of a pen, so you may have to look carefully.

Whilst some councils offer a free service, there is generally a fee for pest control. A discount may be offered to those on a low income. You will need to contact the Environmental Health Department of your local council to report the problem and find out what applies in your area.

How to prevent rats, mice and other rodents

The key to preventing those pesky rodents is to make it as difficult as possible for them to access your home. That means cutting off all possible entry points and keeping things nice and clean so they don’t have easy access to food sources.

Some tips include:

Preventing access

• Repair any holes or gaps in walls and around pipes with cement
• Fix a bristle strip to the bottom of doors. You can buy these at your local DIY store
• Use thin wire mesh to cover ventilation holes
• Place wire balloons in the top of drain pipes. You can buy these at your local DIY store
• Fit cone guards to the bottom of drain pipes

Garden and environment

• When planting bushes make sure you plant them at least 3 ft from your house. Short, tidy vegetation in your garden exposes mice and rats to predators
• Try planting mint; mice and rats hate the smell
• Clear up fallen fruit from trees and leftover bird food in your garden
• Make sure birdhouses and feed trays are out of reach

Cleanliness and food sources

• If you regularly find litter around your home from local shops, call your local council to arrange for them to clear it up
• Keep bin lids closed
• Give your house a good clean. Even a few crumbs from the toaster could tempt a hungry mouse into your home. Keep food in sealed containers
• Dispose of rubbish immediately and clear up spillages
• Keep gardens and alleys clean – old appliances and old furniture make perfect homes for mice and rats.

How to get rid of rats and mice: DIY methods

DIY methods for pest control usually include baiting and trapping them. Here are a few popular methods:

Electromagnetic and ultrasonic devices

Electromagnetic and ultrasonic devices are simply plugged into a wall socket; the sound emitted is only heard by the rodents. These do not bother dogs, but they will affect pets such as hamsters or gerbils.

An outdoor repeller can also be used. These have a motion detector which when triggered emits a powerful burst of ultrasound, harmlessly scaring the mice or rats away. This device may however bother other pets.

Electronic units

Mice and rats are attracted to electronic units by bait. Once they enter the trap a footplate is dispersed which triggers an electric volt. The trap is designed so that the carcass can be emptied into a bin.

Traps

Traps come in various sizes and forms, the most well known being the spring-loaded type. Traps are widely available and can generally be effective if placed in the right locations.

This method can be cruel to the rodent (limbs and tails can become trapped rather than instantaneous death occurring) and you may have to kill the mouse yourself once it’s caught. You will also need to dispose of the carcass.

Instead, humane cage trap devices capture mice and rats for release elsewhere. Once caught you simply relocate the mouse or rat, releasing it at least a quarter of a mile from your home.

Bear in mind that traps will not always keep rats or mice from returning to your home.

How pest control gets rid of rats and mice: What to expect

Pest control services will generally survey your home for all the common signs of a rat or rodent infestation and then set up traps or bait stations in key locations around your home.

It’s highly likely that the pest controller will have to come back to your home more than once to monitor the issue, check and bait stations and lay more if necessary. A typical pest control appointment might look like:

• First appointment: The pest controller surveys your home, shares findings and lays initial traps and/or bait. They’ll let you know about any entry points or things about your home that might be encouraging rats.
• Second appointment: About a week to 10 days later, they’ll come back to check the traps and look for any signs of missing bait. If there is still a sign of any mice or rats, they may arrange a third appointment for anywhere up to 10 days later.
• Third appointment: They’ll check again to see if the traps or bait have been successful and remove them where necessary. They’ll likely give you tips on how to prevent rodent problems in the future. If the traps haven’t been successful, the pest controller may have to come back and attempt any additional methods.

How long does it take to get rid of rats and mice?

It might take up to 2-4 weeks to get rid of rats and other rodents, even if you hire a professional. This is because:

Rats and mice are very aware of their surroundings

Rats and mice are neophobic, meaning they’re wary of new objects like bait stations or traps. Naturally, this means it takes a while for them to approach the traps which is why there’s usually a 7-10 day window between appointments.

They breed quickly

Rodents breed quickly and tend to nest in hard-to-reach places. Combined with their fear of new objects, this makes them particularly hard to get rid of in a short time frame.

Your home may need some repairs

If your pest control professional has pointed out any entry points for rats or other rodents, it’s best to get these covered as soon as possible to stop the infestation getting worse. These aren’t always quick fixes, so might extend how long it takes to get rid of your rodent problem.

Protect yourself against future pest problems with HomeServe

Unwanted mice and rats can disrupt your home’s serenity, but HomeServe is here to restore it. With our Heating, Plumbing and Electrics Plus cover, we can help remove future infestations of rats or mice from your home and bring the peace back to your living space.