”As winter temperatures drop, many rodents hide indoors for food and shelter.”
       A few weeks ago, one of Ireland’s leading pest control companies reported a 50% increase in shipments in a month.
       With the cold snap, animals can run around the premises to keep warm, and Cork has one of the highest Rentokill call rates of any county.
       People are being advised to take a few “easy steps” to keep mice out of their homes, and senior technical consultant Richard Faulkner has identified five important things to do.
       ”As winter temperatures drop, many rodents move into homes in search of food and shelter,” he said.
       “We would advise home and business owners to take a few simple steps to protect their homes from rodent activity, such as storing food carefully, keeping their possessions clean, and sealing any cracks or holes in exterior walls.”
       Rantokil said rodents pose problems for home and business owners because they can spread disease, damage property with their constant nibbling, contaminate food, and even start fires by chewing on electrical cables.
        ● Doors. Installing bristle strips (or brush strips) on the bottom of doors can help prevent break-ins, especially in older homes where doors may not fit properly.
        ● Pipes and holes. Seal gaps around existing or new pipes with coarse stainless steel wool and caulk (flexible sealant) and make sure holes in old pipes are also sealed.
       ● Vent blocks and vents – cover them with fine galvanized wire mesh, especially if they are damaged.
        ● Vegetation. Trim branches to keep vegetation from growing on the sides of your yard. Rats may use vines, shrubs, or hanging branches to climb onto rooftops. Overgrown vegetation near the walls can also provide cover and potential nesting sites for rodents.
        ● Lawns. Cut grass short to reduce cover and food seeds. Ideally, leave a gap between the foundation of the building and the garden.
       There are also some helpful tips about Christmas decorations – here’s what they say: