Cold weather brings pest control problems for householders and business owners alike.

The cold snap has been with us for about 3 weeks now and an unfortunate side affect that we have noted, not unexpectedly, is an increase in the number of call outs for rat and mouse problems we have received.  The level of calls for rats and mice in houses has risen and we expect it continue.

There are a couple of logical explanations for this issue:

• The cold weather means that food has become both scarcer (covered in snow and/or frozen in situ) and yet more important (to maintain their body condition in the cold rodents would need to increase their food intake).  This taken with the fact that the winter months in general are more barren for food means the mice and rats are venturing into houses, sheds, garages etc in search of food.

• Secondly, many areas are suffering from either delayed or cancelled refuse collection services.  Obviously with refuse and food waste lying around for longer than normal, there is an increasing likelihood of rats coming closer to the house for example.

• Lastly, nobody likes to be cold, and rodents are no different.  The cold weather effectively drives the rats and mice indoors for both shelter and warmth.

So please keep an eye out for potential rodent issues in and around your house.  Keep the refuse bagged up, watch the bird feeding, make sure the shed/garage doors fit properly.  In general make your house as unattractive as possible to any potential critters….

We provide pest control services in Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket, Huntingdon and across Cambridgeshire.