Autumn

Autumn is the time to prevent rats and mice plaguing you this winter

Now is the time to think about keeping your home free from rats and mice this winter. Rodents have been outside feeding and breeding in the warm weather. The autumn produces lots of food for them in the countryside but then when the seeds and berries dwindle and the weather turns cooler, rats and mice start to seek shelter and alternative food sources. Our homes, workplaces and other buildings provide ideal places for rodents to move in.

When the rats or mice move into our homes they can cause considerable damage and risk to our health as well as consternation and embarrassment. Rats and mice have sharp gnawing teeth that are continually growing. They have a habit of gnawing at things other than food such as pipes and wiring in order to keep their teeth worn down and sharp. This has some unfortunate consequences for our homes and wallets; floods, fires, shorting and expensive repair bills.

The habits of rats and mice are such that they frequently move from sewers, drains and rubbish to our food and food preparation surfaces. There is a risk of them carrying disease causing organisms with them. They are also frequently defecating and dribbling urine where ever they go.

It makes sense to keep them out of your home or workplace and now is the best time to prepare.

1. Proof your buildings – rats and mice have remarkably flexible bodies and can fit through gaps as small as the size of their skulls. A mouse can squeeze under a door if you can fit a pencil in the gap. Spend a little time checking around your building for gaps and holes around pipe-work. Seal any gaps with filler, or sealant and attach draft excluder to the bottom of doors. Although rodents can gnaw through many materials they will only do so if it is a route they have taken before. So stop them finding their way in in the first place. Roof rats, as their name suggests, are good climbers and often enter via eaves. Check for easy ways onto the roof including trees overhanging your roof. Rats often climb trees and drop down onto the roof and then enter the attic under the edge of the roof iron. Cut climbers down to well below the level of the eaves and trim overhanging trees back so that they are at least 2 metres from the roof.
2. Pro-Active Baiting - Proofing will reduce the risk of rats and mice entering but can never be perfect. It is therefore vital to have baits and or traps in position waiting for any rats or mice that might get in. Rodent bait is the most effective and efficient way to deal with rat or mouse infestation. NO Rats & Mice Weatherproof Blocks are ideal for use in outdoors areas and interior situations such as roof voids. When placing bait blocks outside consider placing bait in bait stations or within a 60cm length of downpipe. This will protect the bait from rain and prevent access by birds and pets. it will also improve the likelihood of rodent encounter as rodents like enclosed spaces.
   NO Rats & Mice Bait and Tracking Powder can be sprinkled along rodent runs in dry areas such as roof voids. The rodents will eat the bait or pick up the powder on their feet and fur; they then ingest it while grooming.
   If there is a concern over using toxic bait there is safe alternative bait called Natural NO Rats made by Kiwicare. This organic certified bait is non-toxic to children and animals other than rodents. The bait is made from a cellulose that only rodents cannot digest so that when they eat it, it blocks their digestion and dehydrates them until they ultimately have heart failure.
3. Traps - Traps are also a useful tool to catch any rodents that enter. Although rats and mice often learn to avoid traps (trap shy) they are safe and used in conjunction with baits will help catch bait affected rodents so they can be removed. Tried and trusted traditional traps are very effective and can be used baited with peanut butter or chocolate. Place the traps against walls where rodents travel.
4. Where are they? Tip - Rats and mice stay close to walls and like to feel enclosed. They rarely move out into the open. Think about this when positioning bait or traps.

Carry out these simple procedures now and you will stay free of the damage and distress caused by rats and mice this winter. We would also recommend that you continue this process throughout the year. Rodents are more likely to seek food and shelter in buildings in autumn/winter but they will be happy to move in with you at any time.

Look at the full range of Kiwicare rodent products.

Prepare your garden ornaments and buildings from the ravages of the cold and wet ahead

In preparation for the cold and wet weather that comes with the winter months it is important to ensure outdoor pots are waterproofed and sealed so that they do not absorb moisture thus preventing them cracking during a frosty morning. Kiwicare's Waterproof Red Brick Terracotta Sealer Spray will seal the pot so that moisture cannot be absorbed and thus prevent against any cracking.

Waterproof Red Brick & Terracotta Sealers are ideal for all types of porous building materials including concrete blocks, paths, foundations, roof tiles, fibrolite, Summerhill stone and Oamaru stone. This sealer is also ideal for sealing concrete fish pools.

Waterproof Red Brick & Terracotta Sealers create a very effective barrier against water penetration without hindering the ability of the walls and other treated materials to breathe. Thus enabling trapped moisture or dampness to evaporate.

Deal with moss and other weeds in your lawns now

Treat your lawns with NO Moss and Weeds or NO Moss in Lawns before the wet winter weather encourages the growth of moss. It is easier to do now and will save a lot of effort in spring when the moss will have strangled the grasses.

Treat the lawns with NO Weeds Turfclean to clear broad leaf weeds from the lawn and encourage good grass growth.

Stop cluster flies over wintering in your home

Cluster flies begin life as larvae that feed on earthworms that live in the soil below pasture and lawn grass. If you have lawns or pasture around your home there is a risk that they will choose your building to congregate and shelter from the winter weather.

The 'dopey' large black adult flies seek warm, dry, dark places to congregate and survive the winter before laying their eggs on pasture the next spring. They often choose attics and ceilings where they cluster together, attracted to each other by a pheromone (smell) that is emitted by each fly.

In warm weather the clusters may become active and you find dozens of the flies emerging from light fittings, ventilation ducts, wall cavities etc.

You can protect yourself from cluster flies in Autumn by spraying around the eaves and other entry points of your buildings using NO Bugs Super.

For a full description of how to control cluster flies see the cluster flies page.