Advice on pest control mice - do I pay this bloke?

jonnytekno

Yesterday morning saw a mouse so called pest control. He came round in the evening. I had already seen a small area of droppings, so showed him and he put 1 single trap there, but did not look round the house. Said he woukd come back in daylight to look at outside and give advice on blocking stuff up from outside. After he left we went on cleaning frenzy anf found a LOT more droppings everywhere, children's playroom rug you name it.

I'm now wondering if this guy is worth the money. Seen stuff online saying more traps the better, and just put loads down. Also why didn't he bother to look round floors inside? Texted him about it (also because in the one trap he did put the peanut butter had gone this morning but still open) and he just said put more in let's just wait and see what happens with one trap before adding more.

Anyone know if this sounds like a valid strategy? His card says accredited blah blah.

Just seems a bit lazy or something??

bertiewhite

jonnytekno wrote: »

Also why didn't he bother to look round floors inside?

Why didn't you sort it yourself?

Don't they sell mouse traps round your way?

jonnytekno

bertiewhite wrote: »

Why didn't you sort it yourself?

Don't they sell mouse traps round your way?

Well I'm wondering the same thing now. In fact I actually ordered traps off Amazon and then cancelled them, basically because someone at work said they had been through same thing and that you need a professional if you're going to get rid of them quickly.

But anyway point is I now have engaged him but feel like it's a waste of money, but I want to know if this sounds like a good/normal service from a pest controller. If it is then I will pay him and accept it was my incorrect decision - but if someone else would have done a better job then I'm not paying him.

bertiewhite

jonnytekno wrote: »

but if someone else would have done a better job then I'm not paying him.

YOU could have done a better job by the sounds of it.

tacpot12

I think he was probably taking your lead on where the problem was. You didn't ask him to look around the house. I think what you have at the moment is just a matter of mis-communication. Why not call him and find out exactly what he will do and exactly what this will cost you. If you are happy with what he says he is going to do and what he says he will charge you, you can decide if you want to hire him. I would call him quickly to prevent him doing work you didn't want him to do.

FreeBear

No point in blocking off gaps in the building from outside. If you have suspended wooden floors, there will be vents leading to the space underneath. A gas or open fire ? Then there is going to be an air vent to supply fresh air to the fire.

Blocking off ventilation to the void under the floor will lead to damp and possibly rot in the joists & floorboards. Blocking off a vent for a fire is dangerous and could end up killing you.

Go round the house internally and try to identify where the mice are getting in. Block these gaps up - Unlikely you will get all of them, as mice can get through a hole the size of a pencil.

Food is what attracts the little devils in, so pick up any crumbs the children drop, put food waste outside as soon as it is generated, and store everything in the kitchen in rodent proof containers. A well fed and energetic cat is also useful in controlling a mouse problem.

Fire_Fox

Female cats are often better hunters than male.