Droppings, gnaw marks and nest material show which pest is present and where it is getting in. Mouse droppings are about the size of a grain of rice, and rat droppings about the size of a raisin.
Rodents are treated with traps or bait in secured boxes, and the gaps they use are proofed. Wasp nests are treated with an insecticide at the entrance and usually die off within a day or two.
What the work covers
Droppings, damage and entry points checked to confirm the pest and how it is getting in.
Traps or secured bait boxes, checked on return visits and removed when activity stops.
Gaps around pipes, damaged air bricks and door bottoms sealed with mesh, wire wool and fillers.
Insecticide applied at the nest entrance in lofts, eaves, sheds and cavities.
Kitchens, stores and shops checked for droppings and entry points, with bait boxes placed away from food.
Questions people ask
How much does pest control cost?
It depends on the pest, the size of the problem, how many visits it takes and how many gaps need proofing. A wasp nest is usually a single treatment, while rats and mice need follow-up checks.
How many visits does a rat problem need?
Usually at least two: one to treat and proof, and one or more to check bait or traps and confirm activity has stopped. The number depends on the size of the infestation.
Why do mice keep coming back to my terraced house?
Terraces often share roof spaces, wall cavities and gaps under floors, so mice can move between houses. Proofing the entry points into your own house helps, and treatment works better if neighbours deal with activity at the same time.
There is a wasp nest in my loft. Should I block the hole?
No. Blocking the entrance of an active nest can drive wasps into the house through other gaps. Leave it until the nest has been treated and has died off.
Will wasps use the same nest next year?
No. A new nest is built each spring and the old one is left empty, so a treated nest can usually stay where it is.