Pest Control In St Albans

Not based in St Albans? Other local areas our pest control experts cover include Watford, Barnet & Newham.

With its eclectic mix of urban areas such as Harpenden and villages such as Wheathampstead, the District of St Albans is one which enjoys a prestigious reputation, and certainly not a place where you would expect to see rats and mice.

But despite its well-heeled appearance, just like most other places in the UK, St Albans has a growing need for pest control services to keep rodents such as rats and mice at bay.

The brown rat is one of the most feared household pests and quite rightly so as it can harbour a whole range of nasty diseases. When cornered, rats can become aggressive and inflict a nasty bite on a human.

Mice are also far from their cute cartoon-like reputation, breeding rapidly and infesting your kitchen  leaving droppings in and around your food preparation areas.

Changes in garbage collection, environmental factors plus the proliferation of other pests such as gulls can lead to rats and mice moving into homes and gardens.

Rapid pest control treatment is essential to prevent colonies from becoming established but where possible, preventative measures are a far better tactic to adopt.

Prevention is better than cure

If you have experienced a rodent invasion, or think you may be at risk, a cheaper, quicker and less intrusive option is to fit rodent proofing onto your property to stop the critters from finding a way into your home in the first place.

As well as rats and mice, you should also consider the possibility of squirrels getting into your St Albans home. Squirrels will look to nest high, ripping roofing material and squeezing through gaps to make their home in your attic or roof space. Once inside, the damage can be widespread and can also allow damp and water to get in, causing further problems to your property.

Pest control services don’t just offer the means to deal with rodents once they arrive, they also offer a comprehensive rodent proofing system which stops small animals from getting into your property from the top to the very bottom.

Proofing your home

Once you have decided to take action to prevent your home from falling victim to an infestation of rodents, the first step is to get in touch with a pest control agency.

They will come and carry out a survey of your home, and will identify all the small spaces, holes and gaps which are larger than 5mm and therefore could present a possibility to an unwanted visitor.

Be aware however, that if there are any signs that you have already become infested with rats, mice or squirrels, the proofing process will not be commenced until your property has been cleared.

Once you have the go-ahead to proceed, the pest control professionals will seal up any entry points which could offer a way in for a rat, mouse or squirrel. This could include small holes in your brickwork, floor drains, sewers as well as gaps around windows or doors.

The materials used to plug any gaps must be capable of withstanding an attack from a rodent which means they need to be tough and durable. Sheet metal, concrete, heavy duty wire and bricks and mortar all offer possible solutions. Steel wool can offer a temporary solution but is not suitable for long term use.

Don’t forget to protect against other pests too!

Rodent proofing your home will protect against one of the most common forms of household pest but don’t forget to consider the risk of insect invaders too! Whether its cockroaches, flies, clothes moths or carpet beetles, you can provide your home with total protection by adding insect proofing as well.