Diy Newbie Explain Why Prevention Is Better Than A Cure When It Comes To Pest Control

As Britain emerges from January's post-festive slump and families and friends start to plan their next get-togethers and parties HomeServe, the UK's home repair and maintenance experts, are warning households to ensure they don't receive any unwanted guests – mice and rats.

Although Christmas is fast becoming a fading memory, it could well be the case that its remnants are still there for all to see in and around your home. The seasonal reduction of bin collections in many areas, coupled with the adverse weather of the last month, has left a backlog of rubbish which is only starting to be cleared by councils up and down the country.

Unfortunately, piles of rubbish are a haven for all manner of rodents – and before they know it, thousands of families could need pest control to keep mice and rats at bay. In recent years, HomeServe has received soaring numbers of callouts to deal with rats and mice during and after the festive period.

Allowing mice and rats to infiltrate your home can not only cause serious structural damage to your property, but also threaten your family's health. Rodents carry diseases and parasites such as Salmonella, Listeria and Leptospirosis, which can make humans seriously ill. In some cases, they could do both of these things if they gnaw through cables and pipes and cause electrical problems or flooding.

Leave rats off the guestlist
One of the best ways to avoid a pest infestation is to make your property as unappealing as possible to rats and mice. Steps to take include:
- Disposing of waste carefully and using sealed bins when rubbish needs to be stored outside
- Covering holes and gaps in walls and around pipes. Thin wire mesh can be used to secure ventilation holes
- Keeping food preparation areas such as kitchens clean and tidy and storing food in rodent-proof containers
- Planting vegetation at least three feet from your home and keeping it short and tidy – which can expose rodents to natural predators such as cats
- Clearing away leftover bird food and fallen fruit from trees

However, even the best prepared homes can be infested by unwanted visitors, which is why it's important to have a plan B to fall back on.

From as little as 12p per day, HomeServe offers pest extermination insurance which covers you against infestations from unwanted visitors. The removal of mice or rats in the home, its cellars and adjoining buildings are covered under the policies, along with the treatment of wasps or hornets nests ion the home or garden. There's no limit to how many times you can claim, with a maximum limit of £300 per claim.

For further information about HomeServe or their services please contact: