Rodent Control
Mice
The most common species of Mice which pose a threat to homes or businesses are the House Mouse, Field Mouse and Yellow Necked Field Mouse.
House Mouse (Mus domesticus)

Description:
Field Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus)

Description:
Biology:Wood mice breed from March to October, with a breeding peak from July to August. They produce 4 – 7 litters consisting of 2 – 9 young per year. Wood mice can reproduce quite frequently with the gestation period around 25 days. Females can breed at the age of 2 months. Young mice are usually out on their own after 4 weeks. This short parenting enables them to breed often. Wood mice have a life span of around 18 – 20 months, however, very few survive 2 winters. They tend to have a shorter life span of 6 – 12 months in the wild as many creatures prey on them . They live longer in captivity and when conditions are favourable.
Control: After a site inspection, control measures will be put in place which may include baiting, trapping and proofing measures.
Rats
The two main types of rats that are a pest in both homes and businesses, are the the Brown Rat (or common rat) and the Black Rat.
Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Description:
Biology:Before their offspring are born, rats build nests from any material that can be foraged from the area, including branches, grass, trash and paper. These nests are usually built in crevaces, in rotting trees or in buildings.
Rats, generally, are baby making machines. Female rats can mate around 500 times in a six hour period and brown rats can produce upto 2,000 offspring in a year.
Brown Rats can have upto 22 young at once, though eight or nine is more the average.
Control: A thorough inspection needs to be carried out and then control measures put in place which will include baiting, trapping and proofing measures if necessary.
Black Rat (Rattus rattus)
Black rats are rare in the UK. Their appearance is usually confined mainly to ports.

Description:
Biology:Black rats produce 5–10 young per litter, and have between 3–6 litters a year. The gestation period is about 3 weeks. It only takes between 12–16 weeks from birth for them to reach sexual maturity.
Control: A thorough inspection needs to be carried out and then control measures put in place which will include baiting, trapping and proofing measures if necessary.
Biology: Mice reach sexual maturity at five to seven weeks, their gestation period when pregnant is between 17 and 21 days. The litter size is usually between four and sizteen babies. One female can have 5 to 10 litters per year, so the mouse population can increase very quickly. Breeding occurs throughout the year.
Control: After a site inspection, control measures will be put in place which may include baiting, trapping and proofing measures.