Mice Control in Blackheath

The most common types of pest mice in Blackheath are the House Mouse (Mus musculus), followed by the less commonly found in Blackheath homes and businesses the Field Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus).

House Mice are a frequent issue in populated conurbations, largely due to the high population density, plentiful food options, and the prevalence of flats and terraced homes. These critters can easily navigate buildings and gain access to numerous kitchens. Additionally, neglected or untidy spaces in individual apartments enhance the chances of a mouse infestation.

Field Mice, usually found in the wild, may venture into homes across the UK in search of warmth during the chilly months. Unfortunately, their presence can lead to various issues, including damage to property, potential health risks, and overall disruption.

Reasons for the prevalence of mice in Blackheath

High Population Density
With a bustling population, Blackheath generates more food and waste, drawing in rodents eager to take advantage of these resources.

Abundant Food Sources
The city’s and town’s many restaurants, markets, and shops offer countless opportunities for mice to find a meal, making it an attractive environment for them.

Housing Conditions
Many residents live in flats or terraced homes, complicating efforts to manage infestations. The close quarters mean that rodents can access a variety of food options all in one area.

Rapid Breeding
Mice reproduce quickly; a small group can rapidly multiply to create a much larger problem if not managed early on. An interesting fact is a female mouse has a gestation period of just 21 days.

Seasonal Trends
As the weather cools, mice look for warmth and shelter in buildings, heightening the chances of an infestation during winter months.

Signs of Mice to look out for in Blackheath

Indications of a mouse infestation include tiny, dark droppings resembling grains of rice, gnaw marks, smear marks that look like greasy streaks, and sounds like scratching or scurrying coming from walls or ceilings, accompanied by a smell similar to ammonia.

To recap visual signs of mice in Blackheath:

Droppings:
Look for small, dark pellets shaped like grains of rice.

Smear Marks:
Check for dark, greasy streaks on walls, skirting boards, or around entry points—these are left behind by mice as they move against surfaces.

Gnaw Marks:
Be on the lookout for signs of chewing or damage on food containers, packaging, furniture, wires, insulation, or even wooden beams.

Nests:
Though you may need to search a bit, nests can often be identified by shredded materials—such as paper, cardboard, or fabric—found in areas like lofts, under floorboards, or in airing cupboards.

Holes:
Search for small holes, often up to the size of a golf ball or as small as a pencil with, where mice might be entering or exiting.

Other indicators of mice in Blackheath that may require Mice Control

Noise Indicators:
Scratching and Scurrying Sounds. Hearing noises from within the walls, ceilings, or beneath the floor, particularly during the night when mice are most active.
Squeaking Sounds, the faint squeaks or other small noises made by mice.

Smell Indicators:
Strong Ammonia Odour, powerful, unpleasant smell reminiscent of ammonia, especially in areas where mice tend to nest or urinate frequently.

Food Disturbances:
Discovering mouse droppings in food items, such as sugar or flour, or even on the bottom of cooking pans.
Damaged Food Containers:
Plastic containers with lids exhibiting gnaw marks.

Mice Tracks:
In spaces that are infrequently visited by people, dusty floors may display mouse paw prints and tail trails.

Live or Deceased Mice:
In heavily infested residences or businesses, it’s common to spot either live or dead mice.

Unusual Pet Behavior:
If your pets seem to be acting oddly, such as fixating on walls or chasing invisible objects, it might indicate mouse activity.

How do mice enter Blackheath homes and businesses?

Mice are naturally curious creatures and can fit through gaps as tiny as 5mm in their quest for food and shelter. If a neighboring property suffers from an infestation, it can quickly spill over into your home or business. Additionally, they might access your property by climbing up vines or trellises that are positioned against the walls of your building.

Methods of Mice Control in Blackheath

Traps:
Break back traps are a quick, non-toxic and efficient method of Mice Control in Blackheath
CO2 – automatic powered bolt traps, offer multi kill options for high level infestations.
Battery powered traps can kill and hold up to 10 mice.

Live catch traps:
These traps can catch either one mouse at a time or there is a multi catch option on the market.
Both single live catch and multi catch mouse traps should be checked regularly.

Rodent Glue Boards:
Glue boards in the UK have mostly been banned, unless used under licence for specific circumstances.

Rodenticides:
Are an important option as part of an integrated pest management approach. Rodenticides may come in such formulations as; grain, block, soft bait sachets, gels and foam. Rodenticides often known as poison are often applied in sealed bait stations or mouse boxes for safety.

Hole blocking and proofing in Blackheath:
Meshing air bricks, filling gaps and pipes / cables and fitting door seal strips.
Indigo Pest Control mainly use professional grade materials such as galvanised mesh, excluder fill fabric (contains stainless steel), rodent resistant silicon, MouseStop (versatile pest control paste), aluminum plate and stainless steel woven mesh.

Useful mice information link:

https://bpca.org.uk/a-z-of-pest-advice/house-mice-control-how-to-get-rid-of-house-mice-bpca-a-z-of-pests/189012

Are expanding foam and wire wool good hole blocking products to us in a Blackheath property?

Whilst these materials will seal the gaps and holes mice use as ingress points, they do have disadvantages. Expanding foam when set is only hard on the cured surface and mice can gnaw a hole in the soft main part of the foam substance. Whilst wire wool is highly flammable and can burn brightly due to its many thin strands that allow for easy oxidation and heat dissipation. Furthermore overtime wire wool can in moist or high humidity environments such as a kitchen or bathroom, rust and disintegrate.

How can Indigo Pest Control help with Mice Control in Blackheath?

Firstly our experienced technician will survey your Blackheath, to determine levels of mice activity, mice ingress points and check for site specific risks. In addition to pest control technicians expertise they may utilise an endoscopic inspection camera, infra red motion camera and UV tracking dust.

Following the initial survey an appropriate pest control treatment will be applied to the property. For the average infestation, Indigo Pest Control will aim to have it resolved within 30 days in a Blackheath property. During this process some minor proofing of entry points may be carried out.
The customer will be kept updated, should extensive mice proofing be required such as sealing holes around pipes / cables under kitchen units, meshing air bricks / fitting mouse proof vent covers and fitting bristle strips to the base of doors. These additional services will be discussed with the customer.

Within a multi visit mouse treatment plan, we usually carry out a final visit to confirm the infestation in the Blackheath property has been successful and the property is left safe.

Long-term suggestions to keep your Blackheath free from rodents

Regularly sweep up spillage from under garden bird tables
Make sure external bins and composters are rodent proof
Cut back vines and ivies to below the gutter line
Regularly check there are no pencil size gaps around external doors and windows
Surveying the exterior of properties to check there are no rodent size holes around pipes and cables

Insurance Cover and mice control in Blackheath

We are often asked if mice control is covered under our home insurance policy.
Many home insurance policies vary, our primary suggestion is to check with your insurance provider. Most standard home insurance policies don’t cover mice control. This is because insurers expect you to maintain your home to prevent pests from entering. However it is possible that some insurance companies have an add on to the standard policy, such as home emergency cover, which may cover the cost of pest removal.