As parents we are used to having a few pests around the house, but they normally go to bed about 7 and seem easily placated with a snack and an episode of Peppa Pig. But what about the four-legged kind … what about the six legged kind? Whether we like it or not there are various animals out there that like to hang around humans for food and shelter and most of them are not very pleasant. But how much of a risk are they to our families, how do we know we have them and how do we get rid of them?
Oh Rats! (and mice)
When we think of pests most people will think of rats and mice. Rats are incredibly common as are mice and the saying about never being more than 10ft from a rat at any time isn’t far wrong. Rats and mice will explore areas looking for food, if they find it and it’s a safe, regular supply then they are likely to come back. They are also looking for warm safe places to nest and breed and wow do they breed! A rat can start reproducing at around 5 weeks old and produce 17 litters a year each with 10-12 babies! So, if you have dry pet food in a shed or garage, for example, then you may well find you have rats visiting or staying!
Rats and mice will venture into our homes too, floor level cupboards with cereal and other food stuff in cardboard containers or paper bags etc will certainly be attractive. However, rodents can also chew through plastic and wood containers. You may notice chewed boxes, spilled food and general mess around areas where they have been. You may also see droppings, rat droppings are obviously bigger oval shaped and easy to spot, mice droppings are smaller but similar shape. One of these furry fiends might even be seen running away as you enter a room.
The impact of having these animals in your home is serious. Rats can harbour a range of diseases from E Coli to Weil’s disease and more. Mice can also spread Hantavirus but that is very rare in the UK. Ultimately if you have a family or not, you cannot live with rodents in and around your home and it is important to call in a pest expert to deal with them. Mark Stanford is a London pest control expert from Empire Pest Control and he says “You can try using traps for an initial problem but you then have to deal with dead animals around the home which can be hard for kids”. Poison is another option but is not recommended around children and should be used by experts.
Bed Bugs
Yes, bed bugs are real and not just an 80s board game. These nasty little things can become a real problem and are on the increase in the UK. They are very hard to see, and it can take some time before you know you have them. Some of the key signs are small brown marks on bedding which are the droppings! You may also see small spots and smears of blood on bedding and this is from the bed bugs feeding on the person who sleeps there.
Yes, they suck blood and then poo all over the sheets! There are also physical signs on humans, and these are bites that can itch. It may start as one or two but as the infestation takes hold there will be more and by then it really is time to get it sorted. However, you should get the professionals in at the first sign, do not leave it as it can be very unpleasant for kids and grown-ups.
While they don’t spread diseases, the itching can cause poor sleep and even secondary skin issues as a result. Bed bugs can be easily transferred and picked up from hotels, places, blankets and more. They are very good at hitching a ride and then spreading from room to room. They don’t care if a house is dirty or clean, if they arrive and they can feed they will spread!
Emergency?
Well yes, if you find evidence of rats, mice, bed bugs or even cockroaches it should be treated very seriously. Even more so when there are children in the house, but it is no less serious for adults. Trying to find ways to treat these things on your own may well be cheaper but may also be ineffective at best and dangerous at worst with kids ingesting poison as one big risk. The time in which DIY options fail to work can also mean the infestation gets worse and therefore takes more time and money to fix when the professionals do get called in. If you see the signs get on Google and find a local expert!
