The Parish Council (PC) has received some reports of rat infestations within the village and whilst control of pests is a landowner, rather than PC, responsibility, there are a few tips that can be followed to help to control them.
It is impossible to eradicate rats completely from a countryside location such as Newton Valence and the increasingly warm winters that we are having are providing the conditions for these highly successful rodent populations to increase still further. We can, however, all take steps to control the spread and the overall number of rats on our properties by taking a few actions, coordinating with neighbours and, where necessary, calling expert help.
To alleviate the spread of rats, some obvious advice is to:
- Seal up any entry points to the home – rats can collapse their ribcages and need only about a 15mm gap to squeeze through
- Always dispose of food waste correctly
- Ensure bins are always closed and not overflowing
- Do not overfeed birds via tables etc. and clean up any seeds that fall to the ground
- Keep outdoor areas clean and free from food debris as well as places in which the rats can nest
- If keeping food outdoors for any domestic animals: dogs, cats, poultry, horses etc. then store in metal containers as rats can eat through plastic ones
- Use outdoor feeders and water dispensers with rodent proof access
- Keep drains and covers in good condition and repair when necessary
If you want to take direct action to control the rats on your property, rat traps and bait/poison may be acquired from numerous local sources but the PC recommends Farm & Country Supplies on the Selborne Road who will be glad to provide advice and assistance.
If infestations are crossing the boundary between neighbouring properties, it is worth coordinating the attempts to control them by agreeing with neighbours on the timing and type of any poison that is to be set. Varying the type of poison used is another important decision because rats can become immune if the same bait is used for a long period of time.
Be aware that dogs, in particular, are very susceptible to poisoning by rodenticides so poison should be used with caution and poisoned rats should be disposed of properly so that they do not enter the food chain of other wild animal and bird life.
Should you wish to bring in a specialist pest control company, the PC has heard several recommendations of Woodside Pest Control Services in Petersfield (01730-828182).
