Proofing beats repeat baiting
Rats and mice keep coming back to buildings that give them three things: a way in, something to eat and somewhere quiet to nest. Removing any one of the three breaks the cycle, and proofing is the only part that keeps working after the technician has gone.
Seal the entry points
- Fill plumbing and AC pipe collars in kitchens and bathrooms with mortar or steel wool and sealant.
- Fit brush strips or metal kick plates where a door leaves more than a 6 mm gap.
- Mesh exhaust fans, ventilators, duct openings and drain outlets with 6 mm stainless steel mesh.
- Repair damaged false-ceiling panels and close gaps where shafts pass between floors.
- In shops, close shutter gaps and keep the rear delivery door shut between deliveries.
Remove the food and shelter
- Decant grains, pulses and pet food into hard containers with tight lids.
- Empty bins nightly and keep external bins lidded and away from the wall line.
- Clear cardboard, sacking and unused appliances from lofts, ducts and storerooms.
- Fix leaking taps and clear standing water — rodents need a water source too.
- Keep a 30 cm clear gap behind and under kitchen equipment so runs are visible.
Signs it is time to call a technician
Droppings along skirting or inside cupboards, gnaw marks on packaging, cables or wooden frames, greasy rub marks on walls, night-time scratching in ceilings, or a stale musky smell all point to an established population rather than a stray visitor. At that stage sealing alone traps rodents inside, so treatment and proofing need to be sequenced together.
Frequently asked questions
A house mouse fits through a gap around 6 mm wide and a rat through about 20 mm — roughly the size of a pen and a thumb. That is why sealing service-pipe collars, door gaps and duct openings matters more than the number of traps set.
Kitchen and bathroom plumbing collars, the gap under the main door, AC pipe sleeves, exhaust-fan cut-outs, false-ceiling voids, chajja and duct openings, and shutter gaps in shops. Rodents also travel between flats along shared service shafts.
Only temporarily. Baiting and trapping remove the current population; proofing plus housekeeping is what stops the next one moving in. A proper programme uses both.
Bait is placed only inside tamper-resistant stations in voids, ducts and service areas — never loose on floors or shelves. In homes with toddlers or pets, technicians can work with traps and glue boards only; tell us before the visit.
Monthly checks are standard for food premises, with weekly self-inspection of bait stations, back-of-house corners and delivery entrances. Homes with recurring activity usually settle on a quarterly visit.
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