Pest Control Fact Sheets
Mice
Facts about mice
- We deal with between 200-400 treatments per month for house mice
- Our busiest months are between September and December
- Mice live in dark, quiet places such as under floorboards, behind wall panelling and in roof spaces
- Mice can climb rough surfaces, jump and even swim if necessary
- Mice eat just 3g of food a day, often taken in small amounts from different places
- A female mouse is usually pregnant for 20-23 days, has 5-6 litters a year with up to around 6 young in a litter. Mice have been known to have litters every 3-4 weeks which can lead to an explosion in numbers
Recognising a mouse problem
Mice tend to come out in late evening, and therefore are rarely seen, however you may notice any of the following signs of mouse activity:
- A musty smell - left from the urine
- Droppings - mice produce about 80 droppings per day. These droppings are generally up to 6 millimetres long and spindle shaped
- Holes - gnawed in food wrapping, boxes and bags
- Smear Marks - due to grease from fur deposits, which are left on habitual mouse runs
What can you do to prevent mice in your home?
The most effective control is to remove access to their sources of food and harbourage. This can be achieved by:
- Sealing holes larger than 2-3 millimetres with sheet metal or concrete (wire mesh can be used if ventilation is required)
- Keeping food in tightly fitting containers, preferably in wall cupboards or fridges
- Cleaning up food, spills and waste and keep rubbish in bins with tightly fitting lids
Treatment we provide
Our pest officers will survey your property to confirm the nature and extent of your problem. This depends upon how easily they can access void areas (for instance under floorboards).
- We will try to identify potential sources of food and harbourage and give you advice
- We will try to identify where they are coming from and tell you how to proof these
- Our officers do not perform proofing works. For council tenants we will notify the Housing Repairs Team (Enterprise)
- We will leave a bait box containing a poison, which kills mice by attacking their circulation. Normally this bait is completely eaten by mice and takes up to 14 days to work
Our officers are able to locate any holes in the property that may be used by pests, but do not carry out repairs.
Please make provisions to block these areas if you do not want the pest problem to return.
Advice is available on how you can do this by speaking to the Pest Control Officer or by contacting Barking and Dagenham Direct.
After treatment
- It usually takes approximately 2 weeks (14 days) for treatment to work
- If the bait box is empty, you can throw the bait box away in your normal domestic rubbish. Please take care to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards
- If you still have mice or there is bait left in the box after 14 days, you must contact us within a week (7 days) in order for us to revisit and treat again free of charge
- After 21 days from the date of treatment, we will be consider requests for pest control as new treatment, and you will be charged the full amount
Charges
For information about charges please contact Barking and Dagenham Direct.
Methods of payment
- Cash - the exact amount as no change can be given
- Cheque - supported by a Cheque Guarantee Card
- Credit Card - by telephone when booking the appointment
Important: If you are paying by cash and do not have the exact amount, please note that treatment will not be carried out.
Please note: We require 24 hours notice to cancel an appointment. If you fail to keep an appointment and do not notify us at least 24 hours before, a £10 fee will be incurred. No further service will be provided until this fee has been paid.
How to contact us
If you would like further advice or need to make a pest control appointment please contact Barking and Dagenham Direct at the address shown.
Contact
Business Support Team
Environmental and Enforcement Services
Roycraft House
15 Linton Road
Barking
IG11 8HE
Supported by Barking and Dagenham Direct:
Tel: 020 8215 3010
Fax: 020 8227 5184
Minicom: 020 8227 5755
Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk|
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 6pm.
