Pest Control Assistance Please

Andrew_G

Hi

I own an older-type property on the Belfast Road in Bangor and in the last week I've been aware of a scratching noise in the small void between the Kitchen ceiling and the ridge tile roof (the kitchen is a single-storey extension to the house).

Any ideas to help rid me of this pest (presumably a mouse)?

Apart from the obvious hygiene/chewing cables risk I'm concerned that even if I got a Pest Controller out he would have big problems getting access to the area.

The Kitchen Ceiling is tongue and groove wood paneling and short of removing part of this or the roof slates I don't know how anyone could get access.

Any local Pest Controller recommendations?

A colleague recommended a Plug-in Ultra Sonic Repeller - has anyone any experience of these - I have a dog I wouldn't want to freak out.

Thanks

Bigcammy

I had the ultrasonic pest repellants and they never worked. Best way I found was to lay a mouse trap along the skirting board of the rooms above and below where I thought the mice were. I baited them with a bit of Mars Bar and they were dead within 2 days.

Good luck

Francophile

Agree with Bigcammy, get a couple of good old fashioned wooden mouse traps and set with a chunk of Mars Bar. They can't resist it and their teeth get stuck in the Mars so they can't make a quick getaway.

tanith

It could be a bird as now is the time they start looking for nooks and crannies to build a nest... keep a watchful eye outside and see if you can see a bird flying too and fro... you don't want a nestful of fledglings in your roof the noise will drive you mad....

Tobyruby

The ultrasonic things are useless. Have a look in yellow pages or ask around your neighbourhood. The best pest controllers are solo operators in my experience. I'm not from your area, but my aunt had a similar problem and the pest controller was able to pinpoint exactly the point of entry at ground level for the mice that were scratching in the roofspace.

Frenchtoast_2

Mars on the mouse trap does work
Good luck

Johnnypanic_2

If there's a gap that you can fit a biro thru, then a mouse can squeeze thru it, so have a good look around and fill. I usually put wire wool in as well.

If it's a mouse, they will try to avoid running across open spaces, so will run around the walls, so place traps facing into the wall. We've used plastic clip type ones in the past and they work very well, as they will go off even if the mouse runs over them.

Mars is an excellent food, as it peanut butter, but strangely enough cheese is useless.

Johnnypanic

bishbash55

theadvice given by Johnnypanic is pretty sound really. what i would add is as yet you dont know what type of rodent it is. its likely to be a rat or a mouse. difficult to say when they are in voids and ceilings with no access.
but could be a squirrel or even a small bird.

first. is your house semi detached, detached or terraced?
if its joined to another property your neighbour may have the same problem. go ask them.
if its detached. thats good. no reason why you cant eliminate the pest.
you say its in your loft? do you have an upper floor? check the boiler room, rodents like warmth and quiet.
remove the bath pannel if you can. look for droppings. rats are banana shaped about 1.5 cm - 2 cm in length.
mice droppings are smaller and straighter.
this may tell you what the rodent is.
best method in a domestic situation is to use traps. only place i would use rodentacide is in a loft space.
for rats you want something like sausages or bacon - something greasy
for mice use something sweet - chocolate or use peanuts.
use lots of traps - no point using 1 or 2
if you can get access into your kitchen ceiling, try trapping otherwise use some grain bait from any DIY shop and scatter it through the void or place in trays if you want to remove it at the end.
ultrasonics are useless - they work by alamring rodents. but like all scare crows they get used to them and ignore them.
dont call out a pest company. they wont guarantee their work and will charge you per visit. with some effort you will probably do a much better job than them anyway
pest companies are great for comercial premises but generally useless in domestic situations.
you could try your local council if you get desperate. if its rats they should come out for no charge. however quite often the quality of their work is less than desirable.
try yourself is my advice.
just remember. rats have a response called neophobia - its a fear of new objects. so if your baiting or trapping you may get no results for up to 14 days before the rat becomes acustomed to your new trap or new food source.
one thing to bear in mind. lots of old houses have mice in roof spaces and their owners often are never aware of the fact. they can live in small numbers without causing an issue.

pest_2-2

if you are unsure of what pest it is, if it be a rat/ mouse/ bird or squirrel, simply place down some light talcum powder down and look out for footprints or tail swipes. The size of the tail swipes or footprints will determine the kind of pest you have.

Also look out for droppings. App. 1cm cylindrical dark coloured droppings are signs of rats, smaller lighter coloured droppings and in more different locations are signs of mice. If the dropping is small and very crumbly and dull in colour it is often a sign of bats.

Bats are a fully protected species and cannot be touched however there are many different kinds of traps and poison to deal with rats and mice. For squirrels there are different traps and cages available as well. I haven't been unfortunate enough to deal with a squirrel problem, however I the telegraph the telegraph the other week they recommended a kania 2000 squirrel trap. With rats I simply used a product called tomcat for my loft area. They will gone in no time.

I've noticed on this site, ppcsupplies.co.uk, that they do a attractant called provoke? Has anyone used it? better then mars bars etc??

warmhands.coldheart

Sounds very very familiar.. I've only just went around all my guttering blocking up any holes & gaps under tiles with mesh wire as Starlings had made a nest in a void by our Bedroom.
NOT PLEASEANT BEING WOKE AT 5:00 EVERY MORNING BY BLOODY BIRDS... :mad::mad:
(The Feathered Type I Mean)

If you do block up the holes do it during the day and try to make sure no birds trapped inside. As much as they are annoying I wouldn't like to kill the little blighters.. From my own experience (for what it's worth) I don't think there will be too many mice/rats inside this time of year... most will be outside now but there will be LOADS & LOADS of birds building nests..

jmabnc

Get in touch with NDBC, My neighbour has a similar problem,good luck. Hope you get it sorted..(say they where outside,though)