It’s the change of season and I’m sure you have noticed it getting darker a little earlier and that the air is a little colder in the evenings. This time of year, while we are focused on managing colds and flu (and COVID-19), it is also important to note that our winter pests will become more visible as the temperatures drop.
To support this point, our Rentokil data is telling us that winter pest activity, in particular rodent activity, is on the rise. This rise isn’t just attributed to a typical seasonal trend, we have seen a notable increase in rodent activity comparing this year to last year. Luckily we aren’t seeing rodent activity levels that have been experienced in Australia, but that doesn’t mean the rodents’ South African counterparts are any less destructive.
In our last rodent blog, we explored the resilience of these little pests and how they are getting into your home or business. Today, I would like to talk about what is keeping them there.
Like most living creatures, rodents are most interested in three things; food, water and shelter. To keep these critters out of your premises it is important to ensure you have proofed your home or business building. The second thing you need to be conscious of is whether you are offering rats and mice an unintended buffet.
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Here is a list of rodent food sources to look out for:
- Leftovers left out on your kitchen counter top overnight
- Food that has fallen on the floor during a mealtime
- Check the folds of your couches for crumbs
- Snacks, or the remains thereof like biscuit crumbs or potato chips, left on the floor after playtime
- Check and clean any crevices and corners in your kitchen for food that has fallen off the counter during food preparation
For more information on rodent prevention, why not download our rodent prevention guide. Or, if you suspect that you may have a rodent problem, contact our team today for a free pest risk survey.
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