The temperature in and around London continues to drop as winter sets in. You may already have many methods in place to keep the cold out, and keep your home nice and snuggly warm. But you may not yet have considered winter pest control.

Before the really chilly weather starts, you should be protecting your home against more than just the below freezing temperatures.

Winter pest control is a necessity. There are many creatures out there that are starting to find warm and secure places where they can hide out from the icy conditions. Although they were more active outdoors in the summertime, these animals are now planning their winter retreat.

What Are the Most Common Winter Pests In London

While you are unlikely to have a problem with certain insects that die out at this time of year, it’s the rodents you really need to be aware of.

The most common winter pests you potentially have to deal with in the UK therefore, are:

• Mice
• Rats
• Squirrels

Winter Pest Control – How To Keep Them Out

To help protect your home, we have outlined some winter pest control tips and suggestions for the three different kinds of rodents noted above.

Squirrels

They may be one of the darlings of the rodent world, and they are amazing to watch when you visit a nature reserve, see them in the wild or at a local park. However, squirrels can cause real problems if they nest in your home. Squirrels have a constant need and desire, for instance, to gnaw at everything and anything, which can lead to property damage and can even cause power shortages and fires if they attack your electrical cables and wiring.

Squirrels have a constant need and desire, for instance, to gnaw at everything and anything, which can lead to property damage and can even cause power shortages and fires if they attack your electrical cables and wiring.

As squirrels often look to enter homes via the chimney or roof and attic space, you can make sure any unused chimney pots are covered with a cap to prevent access. Also, ensure there are no overhanging branches or sections of trees against your roof. Finally, fix and seal any entry points going into and out of your home.

Mice and Rats

Mice and rats just want somewhere warm where they can find food and water. If it wasn’t for the various diseases and bacteria they carry, and damage to our property they cause, we might even welcome mice in.

The best pest proofing method for dealing with rats and mice, is to make it as hard as you can for them to enter your home. Fix, seal or repair any cracks or holes where they could access your home, just as you would for tackling squirrels.

Additionally, you might want to make it as uninviting an environment as possible. You can do this by running a very hygienic household. Clean up after you’ve made food and had a meal. Keep opened ingredients in sealed containers. And make sure your bins have lids that tightly shut.

Mice and rats need food and water to survive, and will be less interested in your property if they can’t readily get any of those things.