Wondering what the difference between mice and rats is? Many of our customers wonder about this too when they spot a rodent. These animals might seem exactly alike in some situation. However, there are a few key differences between them.

What is the difference between mice and rats?

There are several things that set these rodents apart. These differences are particularly apparent when it comes to size, weight, behaviour and other factors.

Body size

A full grown mouse will measure around 14-20 cm, while a full grown rat is about 40 cm. That being said, both of these creatures can be a similar size when they are babies. And a very young rat can be a similar size to a large adult mouse. This can cause confusion.

Dropping size

Both mice and rats are known to eat in filthy areas such as rubbish bins. This means their droppings are riddled with harmful bacteria.

The main difference between mouse and rat droppings is that rats have larger droppings. Their droppings also have rounder ends, and measure up to 10-15 mm. Mouse droppings are smaller and often have pointy ends. They measure about 3-7 mm.

Body weight

The weight difference between mice and rats can vary. This mostly depends on things, like availability of food and habitat. Despite this, rats are on average heavier. They also eat about twice as much as mice.

Tail size

Both species have long tails. However, rats have bigger, thicker and longer tails. Most rat tails are around 10-20 cm and mouse tails average at 5-12 cm.

Reproduction rate

Rats and mice can both reproduce at an alarming rate. The female mouse has a life span of about 2 years. During this time she can deliver more than 200 babies.

Incredibly, these can begin mating at only 4 weeks of age. In comparison, rats normally produce about half the amount of offspring. They can begin mating at around 3 months.

Feeding habits

Both of these animals are omnivores. They will eat almost anything. This can include man made materials such as cardboard. Usually though, they prefer food items, such as grains, fruits, seeds and nuts.

The damage they cause

Both of these pests can produce significant damage to your property. They are also capable of spreading disease and causing other problems. That being said, because they are larger and more powerful, rats will usually do more damage. Both will chew through literally anything – including wire, wood, concrete and brick.

As you can see, the difference between mice and rats is not especially major. Despite this, it’s useful to know these facts, especially if you’re dealing with an infestation.

The UK has some serious pigeon problems. This is especially evident in large urban areas like London. There tend to be flocks of pigeon pests right across London as a whole. These birds are commonly known as “flying rats”.

The most odious thing about these birds is that they are known to push out other species from the local area.

Due to their large numbers, pigeons are able to take over areas completely. They have the ability to outcompete other species for nesting space and food, and will gradually push them out of the area. Due to this, you won’t see many other birds in places where there are large amounts of pigeons.

Another advantage they have is being very comfortable around humans. This is because pigeons have been domesticated for thousands of years. In the past they had many uses, and were most famously used to carry messages. Pigeon problems mostly effect urban areas like London. This means they can cause a lot of problems for home and business owners alike.

You need to do something quickly

These pests cause a wide variety of issues, including spreading diseases and being a nuisance in general. They can completely overwhelm an area, and cause a great deal of irritation to anyone who is there, especially since they are extremely noisy. These birds also carry pests such as mites, lice, ticks and fleas.

One of the biggest pigeon problems are their faeces. As well as being known for stealing food, pigeons are known for defecating everywhere. Their faeces can be a huge hassle to clean up. Especially when they do it over the sides of buildings. As a result, cleaning caked up pigeon faeces can cost you hundred or even thousands of pounds.

Their faeces are also known to be acidic and can eat through building materials. What’s more, pigeon faeces is slippery before it dries and this can pose a falling hazard.

Pigeon problems are easy to take care of

There are many solutions that an experienced pest control company can implement.

Bird spikes – This is the simplest method for deterring pigeons. Simply place these anywhere that the birds can roost or build their nests.

Bird nets – These are also a simple method to stop pigeons roosting on buildings.

Electronic control – There are various sonic and ultrasonic devices that can be used to scare birds away and repel them.

Bird gel – A sticky gloop can be applied to surfaces to deter pigeons. They find the smell repugnant. It also sticks to their feet and is very off-putting to them.

Bed bug experts are responsible for eliminating of a large variety of pests.

And while pest extermination can be a dangerous job, you also learn a lot interesting things along the way.

These are our favourite bed bug facts…

• Did you know that the distant ancestors of bed bugs first developed more than a 100 million years ago?

• These bugs feed not only on humans, but and animal blood as well. They are almost like vampires! Another reason they are like vampires is because they leave behind tell-tale marks after feeding.

• When a bed bug bites you, it will actually inject your skin with a painkilling anaesthetic. This is because it prevents you from noticing that you’re being bitten and moving – which can dislodge the bug.

• According to bed bug experts, these pests reproduce via a method known as traumatic insemination. This means that the male forcibly breaks through the females abdomen and injects sperm into the wound.

• Female bed bugs live for about a year and are capable of producing around 200-500 eggs. No wonder people’s home can become infested with these insects incredibly fast.

And here are some more obscure factoids…

• These insects are tiny, and only grow between 1 and 7mm. This makes them extremely difficult to detect and exterminate. Bed bug experts have such a hard time getting rid of these pests because they are so small. 

• Bed bugs have cost some people millions. Any bed, crack or crevice can become a home for these bugs. Even the most luxurious hotels and buildings are not exempt. Irate guests have taken hotel owners to court many times. Which is understandable if you find bed bugs in a five star hotel.

• All throughout history people have dealt with bed bugs. This is because they have been known parasites for thousands of years. What’s more, they were actually mentioned as long ago as 400 BC by the philosopher Aristotle.

• Bed bugs need very little food to survive. After having fed, they will hide somewhere quiet for the next 5-10 days. During this time they digest their food, mate and lay eggs.

• What’s more, these bugs can actually survive for up to a year without eating. They are also very hardy because they can live in temperatures of below freezing.

Another thing bed bug experts agree on is that these pests are extremely irritating. If you find yourself being bitten, don’t hesitate to phone an our team today. We know a thing or two about exterminating these horrible insects!

If you take the time to read through our latest reviews below you’ll notice one thing. Our customers seem to have a lot to say about us!

But there’s a very good reason why our customers choose to leave these types of glowing reviews. And why we have so many.

The reason why is clear – we simply make an effort do a far better job than anyone else. Our customers trust us because we go above and beyond the call of duty. We strive for the highest levels of professionalism, politeness, punctuality and results.

We do this because, unlike many pest control services, we take pride in our work. We run our business to the highest standards, and our customers appreciate it. Here at Diamond, we always take the time and effort to make sure the job is 100% complete before leaving. We don’t pack up until the very last pest has been eliminated. No matter how hard it is to get to. And we leave everything clean and tidy when we go. This means you can put your full faith in our services.

If you’re one of the people who has left us a positive review, we’d like to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It truly means the world to us! Take a few minutes to look through  a few of our most recent London pest control reviews. You could soon be enjoying the exact same quality of results as our previous satisfied customers.

Squirrel problem

Greg from Diamond Pest Control dealt with a squirrel problem for us. He did a great job in quite difficult circumstances as squirrels had got into a small roof which was very difficult to access. He was very thorough and professional. Nice friendly chap who we could really trust to deal with the problem we had.

Very efficient indeed!

A very efficient service provided by Josh and his colleague. They submitted a very competitive quote to solve my issue with pigeons at home. They turned up promptly, carried out the work effectively and cleaned up afterwards – what more can you ask for?

A company that cares!

Amazing team, Glen and Louis thank you for your patience and understanding in sorting out our problem. Also I should mention that the company’s vans are also not advertised which is a comfort. I would definitely recommend this friendly and caring company.

Very happy with the service

Very happy with the service from this company, especially Derek who is communicative, diligent, punctual and an absolutely lovely guy.

Fantastic service

Fantastic service, arrived on time and as soon as he came in my house put shoe covers on so he didn’t walk his wet shoes over my nice clean floor, explained everything he was going to do and put everything back as he found it. Promptly booked another appointment and politely left. I hear such horror stories and it was a breath of fresh air to see professionalism. We’ll done Diamond Pest Control, keep it up.

Cockroaches in London are a major problem. They can plague residential and commercial properties alike. They cause diseases and contamination.

In fact, it can sometimes seem as if there are more cockroaches in London than people. Which there probably are.

But why are there so many cockroaches in London? There are a few good reasons:

Cockroaches are hard to get rid of

These are one of the hardest pests in the world to get rid of. They are good at surviving, and eliminating them completely is a difficult task. As soon as you remove one cockroach nest, another seems to pop up almost immediately. Even if you burnt down the entire city, the cockroaches in London would survive.

There are thousands of eateries

These range from your local café, to curry emporiums to five star restaurants. And all of these establishments have kitchens and rubbish bins.

This means that every single one of them is a perfect magnet for cockroaches. Food businesses have to be particularly vigilant when it comes to these pests.

London is a damp city

Cockroaches love to live in dark wet places. London is literally the perfect habitat for them. There are a million nooks and crannies where these creatures can hide. London is so massive, that it’s literally impossible to find and eliminate all of these creatures.

There are millions of people

London is home to millions of people. This means there are endless flats and kitchens for cockroaches to live and breed in. Very few people keep their homes spotlessly clean. This means cockroaches are surrounded by an endless buffet of food.

Cockroaches in London are a hidden problem

Londoners have extremely busy lives and are constantly on the go. Very few people actually know much about these pests. Cockroaches spend their lives hiding away in the dark.

This means you can go years without seeing cockroaches in London, which leads to ignorance about the true scale of the problem.

London is an international city

Trains, ships and lorries come into London from all over the world – all day every day. It’s highly likely that many of these transporters are unknowingly bringing cockroaches into London. This means that the problem will continue to me huge.

Immunity to extermination

Over the decades, these hardy insects have evolved. And during that time, as part of their evolution, they have built up a tolerance to many pesticides. Most cockroaches in London simply thumb their noses at humans. To eradicate them successfully, exterminators need to really know what they are doing. Luckily, here at Diamond, we do!

Unfortunately, the answer to the question do rats attack humans, is sometimes yes. And the experience is definitely something you’ll want to avoid at all cost. As you can imagine, rats are riddled with diseases. This means their bites can spread a wide variety of viruses and make you seriously ill.

Being victim of a rat bite isn’t something you want either yourself or a family member to go through. Plus, you don’t want to expose your staff or customers to this treat if you’re trying to run a business.

How common is it?

That being said, in general rats will rarely bite you. Although there have been reports of them biting babies, bed ridden people and the homeless, rat bites are not actually very common. These animals are mostly nocturnal, and try to avoid humans are much as possible.

So when do rats attacks humans?

Rats are generally a lot more scared of you than you are of them. When they do attack it’s usually because:

You’re keeping a wild rat as a pet

Do rats attack humans who keep them as pets? Sometimes they do. It can happen if you’re playing roughly with a domestically raised pet rat.

However, this will most often happen when you trying to turn a wild rat into your pet. Some people do try this, often with bad consequences.

You’ve corned them

Rats are wild animals. Like all wild animals they may attack you if cornered or trapped. Try not to corner rats, because they could bite you in an attempt to escape. Basically, if you provoke them, there is a chance they will turn on you and attack.

You’re trying to catch one

If you are attempting to catch the rat, it may bite you in an attempt to defend itself. This is why rat catching is always a job better left to professionals.

You’re sleeping

Do rats attack humans who are sleeping? Occasionally, yes. That being said, this is more of an urban legend than anything else.

In most of these cases it was because the person fell asleep with food residue around their face or hands. This is also why they will sometimes attack babies. During the night your baby will drool or vomit, and the rat is attracted by that.

You’ve disturbed it’s nest

Attempting to disturb the rats nest could end badly. This is especially true if it has babies. Do rats attacks humans? Well, if someone attacked your children what would you do?

It‘s impossible to avoid pests at home or in the workplace. Pests are an inevitable  part of life in London. Pests will always find somewhere to live and even flourish. And properties in the capital are no exception. There are many a pest control company offering services in the UK, and claiming to professionally eradicate pests.

But how do you choose a reliable company that will provide a genuine solution to your pest problem?

Read on to find out the essentials you need to keep in mind in order to make a wise decision.

Fully Insured Pest Control Company

A good company not only works efficiently but also carries full insurance. For example, here at Diamond, we have full liability insurance that covers up to 5 million pounds.

This gives our employees, as well as our customers complete peace of mind. Being insured also protects the general public if you are having pest control for a commercial business premises.

Up-To-Date Equipment And Approach

Being up-to-date with knowledge of pesticides and cutting edge techniques signals that the company put their customers’ wellbeing first. By following current health and safety guidelines, Diamond reduces the risks to our valuable customers to an absolute minimum.

A good company is also aware of and committed to working with environmentally-friendly methods for tackling pests. The use of eco-friendly pest control, such as heat treatments and physical methods is very important right now. This is because green approach diminishes the threat of health issues to residents, wildlife and the planet.

Experience and Reviews

Experience is incredibly important when it comes to confidence in your pest control company. A company that has a certification but no past work experience is not a good option to select.

One way you can check the quality of their experience is to look at their customer reviews. How far back do these reviews go? Don’t be afraid to ask a prospective pest company for evidence of their trading history or to see some references.

Are They Qualified?

You also need to double check whether a pest control company is licensed and qualified. It is also vital to check whether all of the company’s technicians hold some kind of certification too. All our employees are trained practitioners who possess a license and proper certification in pest treatment.

Make sure the pest control company you choose is keeping current. This includes taking part in ongoing training, and using the latest equipment and methods. Pest control is a practice that not only kills pests, but should also protect human health.

Be Wary if it’s Too Cheap

It is worth noting that the better pest control companies offer premium services but at affordable and fair rates. Be prudent when looking at pricing, however. It may be wise to be wary of a pest control company that offers services too cheaply. They may be cutting corners and you may end up paying more in the long run.

These creatures tend to spread from home to home like wildfire. And for this reason it might seem as if they are contagious. But are bed bugs contagious?

Bed bugs are not contagious in the way that diseases like viruses are. But they are contagious in the sense that they do spread from person to person.

Are bed bugs contagious? Well here’s the thing:

These bugs are fond of furniture and beds. They also crawl into suitcases, and onto clothes and other items. And in this way, they move from person to person like a disease.

In fact, there are many ways these bugs can be transferred such as:

Buying second hand items

When buying something from another person you should always ask yourself, are bed bugs contagious in this situation. Keep this in mind when purchasing second hand beds, furniture, curtains, pillows or clothes. Bugs love hiding in these, so make sure to inspect the item thoroughly.

Wash second hand fabrics on a hot wash and dry cycle. Also, leave types of items like furniture and books or toys outside in the sun for a few days before using them.

Sleeping in an infested hotel bed

If you stay at someone’s house or a nasty hotel they can be transferred to you.  For example, when you stay over in a bug infested hotel they can crawl into your pyjamas. When you pack these back into your suitcase the bugs are transferred to your home.

From your children

If you have school aged children, they can pick bed bugs up from other kids.

To prevent this from happening, your children should avoid using other people’s items like towels or clothing. Also, make sure their clothing is thoroughly washed and dried on a frequent basis.

Through pet bedding

Another thing you should watch out for is pet bedding. Cats and dogs are generally not targeted by these bugs. But they can bring them in from their adventures outside of your home. So make sure to check your pets bedding from time to time.

When you move home  

Anyone moving into a new house or flat might be concerned about bed bug contagion. If you’re worried about this, then check everything before you move. Also clean your new home to make sure it’s bug free before settling in.

Bottom line: Are bed bugs contagious? Absolutely!

Mice may not exactly look like the most dangerous animal. They are much smaller than rats and not nearly as disgusting as, say, cockroaches. Looks can be deceiving, though. Mice can still cause serious health risks. To help you understand just how serious, we are going to discuss the potential mice infestation health risks in this post.

Food Contamination

One of the most direct and obvious mouse infestation health risks is the fact that these furry little rodents often carry numerous diseases. As they search your home for food, they walk over every surface – and through cooking ingredients – with dirty paws.

Not to mention defecating and urinating along the way. As well as being gross, this can also contaminate your food. And if you ate anything without knowing a mouse had been near it, it could make you ill.

Diseases Mice Carry

It always seems like rats get a much worse rap than mice. However, both rats and mice, can be affected by various zoonotic agents and parasites, according to experts at the World Health Organisation. And if that wasn’t enough, many rodents like rats and mice are known to be directly linked to medical issues such as indoor allergic reactions and asthma.

Some of the most serious and dangerous bacteria, viruses and diseases that are spread around by mice as they make themselves at home include:

• Salmonellosis

• Leptospirosis

• LCM

• Hantavirus

Mice Infestation Health Risks – Spread of Other Pests

Another of the big mice infestation health risks posed by these rodents is not directly related to them. It has more to do with the insects and organisms taking a ride on their back.

That’s right, even if the mice that visit your home don’t cause too many problems, these creatures still might – whether it‘s lice, ticks, fleas or other similar creepy crawlies.

Clearly, mice infestation health risks stretch beyond their droppings and urine. Which is why you should act as soon as you are aware, or believe you have, a mouse infestation problem. You need to hire professionals like Diamond to get rid of these pests fast.

Don’t be fooled by their cute features. Mice can carry just as many diseases as other pests. And their additional hitch-hiking companions can easily spread throughout your household.

The internet gives us so many different ideas. Nowadays, you can go online and find a guide that claims to treat every single type of pest. However, doing your own DIY pest control can be incredibly dangerous for your health and safety.

DIY pest control can be unsafe, and harmful to the environment too. This is particularly true if the treatment involves chemicals.

In this post, we are going to look at a few of the potential hazards of doing your own pest control in more detail.

Mixing DIY Chemicals

Chemicals, when mixed together, can cause a really bad reaction. Especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. From skin rashes to toxic gases, mixing pest control chemicals is something you really don’t want to do without experience and training.

The last thing you want from your pest control efforts is for it to hurt you or your loved ones. A professional pest controller will know how to mix chemicals properly without causing harm.

Risks To Children And Pets

DIY pest control means using chemicals, poisons or traps around your home. Even if there’s a chance that youngsters or pets might come into contact with these harmful items, there is a risk involved. The last thing you would ever want from your pest control is to hurt your loved ones. And if chemicals are used in excess or incorrectly, children can be particularly vulnerable to any adverse effects.

A professional pest technician has access to professional devices and equipment that get the job done in the safest possible way.

DIY Pest Control Isn’t That Effective

One of the biggest risks you face when trying to do your own pest control is that it just won’t work. Recipes from the internet may seem to work to begin with, but ultimately won’t be strong enough to get the job done properly. The same goes for over the counter products. Pests are quickly adapting and becoming resistant to retail pest solutions. This is especially true of the more hardy pests like cockroaches and bed bugs.

Because of this immunity, certain methods and chemicals that worked a couple of years ago are now completely ineffective against them. So, trying to do your own pest control not only has the potential to cause you harm. It may well result in you wasting your money and your time too.