Rodents/Birds

As Mice are crepuscular (active between dawn and dusk) and nocturnal animals, it is not always easy to physically spot them. There are however a few signs which could indicate that you are suffering from rodent activity that requires help. These can include:

• Mouse Droppings
  A single mouse can leave between 50-60 droppings behind per night. These can be scattered across a wide area, but a large concentration could indicate an area of major activity
• Noises
  Despite being relatively small, Mice can be heard in the house when scurrying and scratching around. This is prevalent if your infestation is in the loft and can be heard through the ceiling. If you do hear noises, it is far more probable to be the House Mouse, who favours warm conditions.
• Damage
  Mice need to continuously gnaw and chew on items as a preventative measure to stop their teeth from over-growing. They are not picky on what materials to use to achieve this, and have been to gnaw on wood, plastics, cables and wires.
• Smell
  In concentrated areas, Mice can be distinguishable by an ammonia-like smell. This is similar to Rats, however, and a Total Pest Control technician can help in identifying exactly what pest you have.

Rats are crepuscular (active between dawn and dusk) and nocturnal animals, so it is often difficult to see them. There are however a few signs which could indicate that you are suffering from Rat activity that requires help. These can include:

• Rat Droppings: The most obvious sign of a rat problem, the average Rat can produce anything up to 40 fresh droppings a day. They are tapered and usually the same length of a 1p coin.
• Odour: Rats provide a distinctive and unwelcome smell both dead and alive. A live rat in a small area such as a loft space can be identified by an ammonia-like smell, whereas the smell of a dead rat is far stronger, with the ability to linger for up to 10 days without removal.
• Footprints: Rats are creatures of habit, and will continuously use the same path when travelling. If the infestation is in a garden, tell-tale signs may be worn grass. Without proper treatment this problem will only worsen.
• Damage: Rats need to continuously gnaw on items to stop their teeth from overgrowing. This constant need to chew can manifest itself outside in either wood, plastic or electric cables and wires. Inside the house, ripped food packaging is a clear sign of a rat problem. The teeth marks should be noticeable, usually around 3mm in width.
• Nests: Rats seek warm, concealed, dark areas to create a nest. The average Rat litter can be well over 7 young, and they can have up to 6 cycles in a year. Common locations can include in the loft, under the floorboards, behind bath panels or even below decking in the garden.

Grey Squirrel activity begins a few hours before sunrise and ends well before sunset. The peak time to hear squirrels is four to five hours after dawn. Grey Squirrel can commonly seen during daylight hours however a few signs which could indicate that you are suffering from Grey Squirrel activity that requires help. These can include:

• Noise: The most obvious sign of a Squirrel problem will be scratching and scurrying in the loft, this is why the animal is often confused for Rats.
• Damage Internally: Upon inspection of the noise in the loft it is likely you will find damage from constant gnawing to different objects in the area where the animal has tried to gather nesting materials.
• Drays: Squirrels build nests (drays) of twigs and leaves in the forks of trees. The drays are used for shelter and breeding.
• Damage Externally: squirrels will strip the bark from trees which is a obvious visual indicator.

The Pigeon has come to rely on humans as a source of food which is why they can be found in almost any area of the UK.

Due to this dependence on humans pigeons have become a major nuisance pest. Pigeons will try to build their nest on sheltered structures such as building, bridges and warehouses.  Pigeons will also try to enter loft spaces and void areas to nest and as pigeons will nest in large groups lots of damage can be caused.

A sign associated with pigeon activity that requires help can include:

• Fouling: The most obvious sign of a pigeon problem, guano is not only unsightly it can cause damage to buildings and has health implications.
• Smell: the build-up of guano especially in damp areas can lead to a strong horrible smell.