Mice
Mice are a common household pest that can cause serious damage to homes and businesses. They chew through wires, contaminate food, and spread diseases through droppings and urine. Due to their rapid breeding cycle, a small problem can quickly turn into a major infestation.
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Mice Pest Control
At First Pest Control, we offer fast, effective, and discreet mice control services to eliminate infestations and prevent them from returning.
House Mouse
The most common species, found in homes, businesses, and agricultural buildings. They can fit through gaps as small as 6mm.
Field Mouse
Usually found outdoors but may enter buildings in search of food and shelter.
Yellow-Necked Mouse
Larger than house mice, commonly found in rural areas and loft spaces.
How we deal with Mice
There are more house mice in the UK that are resistant to anticoagulants than there are susceptible to it. Some studies have shown that 84% of house mice possess resistant genes against anticoagulant baits.
As a result of the resistance issues in mice and the concern for secondary poisoning issues, we mainly use a bait which mice have zero resistance to and its more wildlife friendly in relation to secondary poisoning issues. As an example: If a wild bird was to feed on a dead mouse or rat that’s perished because of anticoagulant bait then there’s a high probability that bird will also die. On the other hand, if the wild bird was to feed on the rat or mouse who’d died from the zero-resistance bait, then there’s a 90% likelihood of that bird having no ill effects.
Pest controllers must undergo additional training to purchase and use the zero-resistance product safely, and thus, it cannot be bought online by anyone non-qualified.
There are situations when it’s not advisable to use the zero-resistance product which the main ingredient is cholecalciferol and a dynamic risk assessment on the initial visit will determine if it’s safe or not to use. The alternative is a high strength second generation anticoagulant which is twice the strength sold online or in the shops.
Unlike rats, mice love to seek out new objects and are highly inquisitive. Rats will back away from a new object whereas mice will do the opposite. So this works in our favour when using a baiting programme in the house or business.
Trapping is another option when dealing with mice. We have humane traps that can catch and kill multiple mice with zero use of baits if you’re concerned about the use of baits.
As a result of the resistance issues in mice and the concern for secondary poisoning issues, we mainly use a bait which mice have zero resistance to and its more wildlife friendly in relation to secondary poisoning issues. As an example: If a wild bird was to feed on a dead mouse or rat that’s perished because of anticoagulant bait then there’s a high probability that bird will also die. On the other hand, if the wild bird was to feed on the rat or mouse who’d died from the zero-resistance bait, then there’s a 90% likelihood of that bird having no ill effects.
Pest controllers must undergo additional training to purchase and use the zero-resistance product safely, and thus, it cannot be bought online by anyone non-qualified.
There are situations when it’s not advisable to use the zero-resistance product which the main ingredient is cholecalciferol and a dynamic risk assessment on the initial visit will determine if it’s safe or not to use. The alternative is a high strength second generation anticoagulant which is twice the strength sold online or in the shops.
Unlike rats, mice love to seek out new objects and are highly inquisitive. Rats will back away from a new object whereas mice will do the opposite. So this works in our favour when using a baiting programme in the house or business.
Trapping is another option when dealing with mice. We have humane traps that can catch and kill multiple mice with zero use of baits if you’re concerned about the use of baits.
DIY Pest Control
Baits you can buy in the shops or online are usually contain the active ingredients Bromadiolone, Difenacoum, Difethiolone, Flocoumafen and Brodifacoum. They’re all approximately half the strength that professional pest controllers use. If you’re trying to get on top of a rodent infestation and struggling, then it’s most likely that the bait isn’t strong enough or incorrect feeding methods, bait placement, unappealing bait, bait shyness, competing food elsewhere, entry points etc.
You could try trapping, but ensure that if you use a live trap, you dispatch the mouse humanely. You need to be checking the traps every few hours to ensure of the animal’s welfare. Make sure the mouse has water and bedding inside the trap if you plan on doing it this way. Do not release a live mouse as it’s cruel. You’ll be releasing it away from its family into a strange environment where it cannot possibly survive.
Use instant kill traps but ensure you buy a brand name and not a cheap ‘only good for one use’ trap.
You could try trapping, but ensure that if you use a live trap, you dispatch the mouse humanely. You need to be checking the traps every few hours to ensure of the animal’s welfare. Make sure the mouse has water and bedding inside the trap if you plan on doing it this way. Do not release a live mouse as it’s cruel. You’ll be releasing it away from its family into a strange environment where it cannot possibly survive.
Use instant kill traps but ensure you buy a brand name and not a cheap ‘only good for one use’ trap.
