A pest control provider has issued a warning about “rodents at this time of year” as rats seek water during the warm weather.
Rentokil have said that mice and rats live in and around our buildings and pose a pest risk all year round. They are known to seek water during hot weather and so can be common in the summer months.
A spokesperson for Rentokil told Dublin Live: "Pest rodents such as the common rat and the house mouse are commensal rodents and have adapted to exploit humans and our behaviours. They take advantage of our buildings and infrastructure in order to gain food, water, shelter and warmth.
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“While rodents are typically known to move indoors during the colder months in search of food and warmth, they are constantly on the lookout for shelter, food and water and this includes during the summer months.
“House mice live in and around our buildings and pose a pest risk all year round. The common rat has a high daily water requirement and during hot weather conditions like those that we are currently experiencing will also enter buildings seeking water as well as food and shelter and can become established.
“Rodents are a serious health and hygiene risk, so if anyone suspects they have an infestation on their premises, they should contact a professional pest control provider.”
Some of Rentokil’s top tips for home and business owners to prevent the presence of rodents on their premises include:
Doors
Fitting bristle (or brush) strips to the bottom of doors prevent entry, especially in older properties where the door fit may not be snug.
Pipework
Seal holes around existing or new pipes with coarse grade stainless steel wire wool and caulking (pliable sealant).
Holes
These are often made in exterior walls for cables and pipes, check that old pipework holes are sealed too.
Air Bricks and Vents
Cover these with fine galvanised wire mesh or mouse mesh vent covers, especially if they are damaged.
Eaves
Fix damaged roofing and use wire mesh to seal gaps.
Vegetation
Trim tree branches back from the house and where possible avoid plants growing up the sides of your property. Vines, shrubs or overhanging branches can be used by common rats to get onto roofs. Overgrown vegetation close to the walls will offer rodents shelter and potential nesting sites.
Lawns
Keep grass mown short to reduce shelter and seeds for food. Ideally, leave a gap between the building foundations and the garden.
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