Households across Ireland are urged to be on the lookout for rats this Christmas.
Pest control experts Rentokil anticipates a surge in callouts over the festive season as rodents and insects enter homes in search of food, shelter and warmth.
There has already been an increase in rodent activity in the lead up to winter, with a 50% increase in calls for help compared to last year.
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Rentokil says a rat can produce up to 40 droppings a night, and are often found in the corners of rooms or boxes.
Telltale signs of rodents to watch out for include shredded loft insulation, chewed items or concentrations of droppings, which look like large brown spindles.
Other pest insects including cockroaches and fleas can also become more prevalent in the home at this time of year. They can be difficult to detect, so home and business owners may have an infestation and be completely unaware of it.
Richard Faulkner from Rentokil explained: “Christmas time brings with it a number of unique pest control challenges. Plummeting temperatures outside, and an abundance of food and warmth indoors, create attractive conditions for rodents and insects as they search for shelter and sustenance.
“Rentokil is advising the public to be particularly cautious and diligent to help guard against unwanted pest guests this festive season, and following a few simple steps could help.”
Rentokil’s top tips for the festive season include:
Open boxes of decorations outside and inspect them for any signs of insects or rodents, before bringing them indoors. When finished with them, store them in a sealed storage box, ready for next year.
Inspect your tree carefully before you bring it indoors, as both real and artificial Christmas trees can be perfect nesting place for insects. Shake your tree vigorously outdoors so that any insects or their eggs are shaken loose.
If you have edible treats such as gingerbread people, chocolate coins, and candy canes as Christmas tree decorations, then be sure to keep an eye on them to check they have not been nibbled, or better still avoid using them altogether.
Ideally, keep sweets, chocolate and other festive edibles in sealed containers.
Clean up all Christmas dinner leftovers, food debris, and spillages to prevent a potential food source for rodents and insects.
Keep foodstuffs in metal or glass containers with tight fitting lids and put outdoor rubbish bags in metal bins, with securely fitted lids, to stop pest insects or rodents from feeding on the contents.
Dispose of any clutter in the form of Christmas gift wrapping and packaging, to limit potential hiding places for pests.
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