Housing and accommodation

Pest problems

Rats

If you believe you have rats in your property, there will be tell-tale signs:

  • visual sighting – rats are considerably larger than mice
  • droppings – normally bullet-shaped and between 8mm and 25mm long
  • possible footprints or tail marks in dust and dark smears on the bottom of walls from the grease and dirt on the rat's coat
  • holes or burrows outside, maybe accompanied by earth or debris
  • gnaw marks on woodwork or damage to property
  • damage or disappearance of food
  • scratching noises (although mice, squirrels or birds can also cause such noises)

Why might I have rats?

There are many reasons. Rats are searching for food, water and warmth, and at times may enter properties or pass through gardens to find these resources.

Rubbish bags not contained in bins offer a food source to rats. Holes, damaged airbricks, redundant pipes or damaged drainage systems can give access for rodents into your property, particularly where disused drainpipes have been removed.

What should I do?

If you believe you have rats, seek professional help immediately and contact your landlord.

It is important to control rats, not only because of the damage they may cause and the food they spoil through contamination by droppings and urine, but also because the transmit disease (some of which are transferable to humans) as they live and breed in sewers.

You must also use an anti-bacterial cleaning agent on all kitchen/food surfaces before food preparation, and clean up all food and waste when finished. Keep houses clean, and keep food supplies safe and in sealed containers away from possible access points such as the back of a cupboard.

Call Portsmouth City Council and they will treat the problem. There is no charge for this service as a tenant as the cost is paid by the landlord, so it is advisable to speak to them before calling the council.

Mice

You may have found mice in your property or you may think you have them due to signs that indicate that they are in your home:

  • droppings (very small pellets)
  • evidence of your food being eaten or damaged food items found in the home
  • scratching noises or marks may be found around the property

Why might I have mice?

House mice (the most common mouse) like to live with us humans because our homes provide them with all the things they need, such as warmth and easy food opportunities.

Remember that if you leave food easily accessible about your kitchen, bedroom and home, it can attract mice. They can gain access through the smallest of gaps (pencil width).

What should I do?

  • wash all surfaces with an anti-bacterial agent before any food preparation
  • clear away food and do not leave crumbs about to attract the mice
  • check your cupboards for possible gaps/access and move any accessible food
  • store food in in sealed containers and clean the cupboards

You can buy traps to deal with the mice but often poison is found to be more successful. Please ensure you read all safety requirements when manipulating poisons.

Portsmouth City Council will treat mice problems with poison. There is a charge for mice treatment service. The charge will either be passed to the tenants or the landlord of the property. Tenants will only be charged for the treatment of mice problems if it states this in the tenancy agreement. The council will ask to see a copy of the tenancy agreement.

Please note that having a cat is not necessarily helpful for getting rid of mice as a cat cannot get mice if they under floorboards, and so on.

What should I do after treatment?

To help prevent re-infestation you should:

  • ensure any small holes/gaps are blocked throughout the house with wire wool
  • check that any external defects that can cause access are fixed
  • maintain a food-free environment, where no food is left about the house – this includes your bedroom
  • keep kitchens clean and ensure rubbish is disposed of regularly, correctly and securely

Slugs

The tell-tale signs that you have these slimy pests are the silvery slime trails that they leave behind them when they move about. Slugs remain active throughout the year unlike snails, which are dormant during autumn and winter. They also vary in size and colouring.

Why have I got slugs?

Slugs are often indicative of damp conditions and poor hygiene within a household, however this may not be the case with all homes.

Warmer weather, combined with damp conditions greatly increases their activity and unseasonably warm weather during the autumn and winter months can encourage them. Although they do not do any harm, slugs are annoying because of the trails they leave behind.

How can I get rid of slugs?

Most slugs feed at night, and the tell-tale slime trails, if present, will alert you to the level of activity. This will also help you to find where they are coming into your house. Slugs' favourite foods are animal and plant remains and they are scavengers.

Sealing obvious holes where they may enter the house, will make the place unattractive to them. In addition, remove any garden waste and building waste from outside the house.

Pesticides or slug pellets are available from garden centres and chemists for the control of slugs. Read and follow the instructions on the product label precisely. Remember, pesticides can be poisonous to humans and pets. After use store container and contents away safely or dispose of the empty container.

A cheaper and more easily available option is placing normal table salt around areas slugs are getting into your house. This will prevent them coming in as they will not crawl over it because salt kills slugs due to osmosis. This is easily cleared up each morning by vacuuming it away until your slug problem has been resolved.

How can I prevent slugs returning?

Good hygiene and maintaining dry, warm conditions in a property will prevent the return of slugs to your house.

Contact

Portsmouth City Council operates a pest control service and can also offer advice on the following pests:

  • bedbugs and other insects
  • cockroaches
  • fleas
  • mice
  • pigeons
  • rats
  • squirrels
  • wasps

Please contact them at City Helpdesk (ask for the Pest Control Team) at
T: 02392 834251
E: cityhelpdesk@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
W: www.portsmouth.gov.uk/business/677.html