RODENT CONTROL Be proactive; you insure your business ... now insure your reputation!
RODENTS “It is only when you have studied the biology and habits of rodents for several years that you can begin to understand their mindset and figure their next move. Then you can walk into premises and tell the owner exactly where they are likely to have a rodent problem�. Jon Blake Managing Director, Abate
WHO ARE WE? ABATE EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCED, FAST & FRIENDLY Abate Ltd brings over 70 years of combined experience in solving a multitude of pest problems. Our skilled technicians cover the whole of East Anglia, providing a rapid, friendly and discreet response to a broad-ranging client base that includes pharmaceutical suppliers, food storage and manufacturing industries, local authorities, housing associations and schools. As an ISO registered company, we’re capable of meeting the administrative demands of large businesses including an advanced service for food grade premises, packaging and pharmaceuticals that meet Soil Association, BRC and TFMS specifications. At Abate, we understand that there are all sorts of legal requirements and standards. We’re experienced in making sure you remain in compliance with all terms stipulated by your BRC Auditors (and the Soil Association). We look at what is required in the pest control sector and shape our services to meet your individual needs. Abate removes the burden of dealing with pest control, leaving you free to focus on running your business.
QUALIFIED, ACCREDITED & APPROVED At Abate we’re ‘food safe aware’ and fully conversant with the stringent policies required when working in a food producing environment. Abate is proud to be one of only a few companies in the country who have achieved NPTA (National Pest Technicians Association) Gold accreditation. This means that all of our facilities, procedures and training practices have been fully audited and approved. Abate technicians are CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) qualified, ensuring safe working practices are observed at all times in the construction workplace. For additional peace of mind, criminal record (CRB) checks are carried out on all our employees and we carry full public liability insurance. Not only do our technicians undergo extensive training in all aspects of Pest Control, but they’re also fully trained in current risk assessment and health and safety legislation. This ensures the
work we do for you is carried out responsibly and with full consideration for the safety of your customers, clients and pets. Not only do our technicians undergo extensive training in all aspects of Pest Control, but they’re also fully trained in current risk assessment and health and safety legislation. This ensures the work we do for you is carried out responsibly and with full consideration for the safety of your customers, clients and pets
THE RISKS TO YOUR BUSINESS With the ever increasing demands to comply with stringent health and safety and hygiene regulations, the last thing you need is the cost, hassle and embarrassment of unwanted intruders in your workplace... Rodents cause unnecessary stress to your staff and can also damage the reputation on which your business depends. This is of particular importance in the food industry, where even one rodent could jeopardise your whole business. And it’s not just your reputation that can be at stake. Not only do rodents damage the fabric of a building but they’re also very adept at knocking out computer systems and production machinery. Their compulsion to chew wires and plastic water pipes will result in costly repairs and downtime. Food produce can be contaminated by rodent droppings and urine. This will devalue the product and can transfer disease organisms such as Salmonella and E-coli, common sources of food poisoning in the catering industry. It’s important that you can prove that you are taking ‘due diligence’ in preventing pests from entering and infesting your premises ... This is where we can help!
RODENT PROBLEMS ... UNDERSTANDING RODENTS Our years of experience have given us an indepth knowledge of rats and mice and how to deal with them. However, there’s no room for complacency as each new case is unique and presents new challenges. Like human beings, rats and mice can vary in character and display different feeding and foraging habits and sleep patterns. They are masters of survival and will adapt to suit their environment.
What causes rat and mice infestation? - A gap under a door, pipe holes in walls, overhanging trees and cables or even a door left ajar. Rodents are opportunists and will gain access to a building wherever they can. Harbourage (sheltered living space) is also important. Anywhere in your workplace that’s warm, dry and secure is a potential ‘des res’ for rats and mice! Densely stacked pallets of produce, piles of rubbish, wall voids, roof spaces, boiler insulation, packaging, switch panels and car engine compartments are all favourites. Rats and mice also like to have a convenient food supply; contrary to popular belief, cheese is not their staple diet! If your business requires bulk food storage you may be susceptible to infestation, particularly if goods lie undisturbed for long periods, allowing a population to breed unchecked. Catering establishments are also favoured locations, particularly where hygiene standards and building maintenance have been neglected. Finally, a readily available source of water. This is less important for mice as they can survive on food containing a moisture level of 15%. Rats need a continuous water supply which can be found in food with a high moisture content, a leaking tap, open drain, blocked guttering or nearby watercourse. All these factors, combined with the rodents’ strong ability to reproduce, show how easily an infestation can appear in any workplace or home.
Diseases associated with rats and mice Rodents aren’t just a nuisance, they also have the capability to spread a variety of diseasecausing pathogens: Salmonella spp Listeria spp Escherchia coli Cryptosporidium parvum Yersina enterocolitica Leptospira spp Toxoplasma gondii Hantaviruses Rats can also be carriers of the notorious ‘Weils disease’ which can be transmitted through their urine. In a recent survey by Salford University, 53% of mice studied were infected with the pathogen that caused Toxoplasmosis. This disease can lead to miscarriages and deformed births in pregnant women. Mice are often seen as a nuisance pest, whereas rats are seen as a public health pest. This is a dangerous misconception since mice are just as capable as rats of transmitting disease.
Biology and behaviour of rats and mice Rodents have the ability to adapt themselves to almost any environment. Their great reproductive potential, natural cunning and survivability puts them among the most successful animals on earth. Rodents use their five senses; smell, touch, hearing, sight and taste in order to survive. The sense of touch is considered to be the most highly developed. Rats become sexually mature at two to three months old. They can have seven litters per year, with up to six young in each litter. A single rat can produce 30-40 droppings in one day. Mice become sexually mature at approximately six weeks. They can have eight litters per year, with up to six young in each litter. One mouse can produce around 80 droppings in a day. Female rats and mice can become pregnant while still weaning young and both have a gestation period of around twenty one days. As you can see, a rodent’s keen ability to reproduce demonstrates how quickly a small problem can escalate into a much larger one.
Squirrels Also classified as a rodent, the grey squirrel was introduced into the UK in the mid 19th century and has now become a major pest of forestry. Squirrels may enter buildings in search of food and shelter, which results in damage to products and structures. Under the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 and the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, it’s illegal to release a grey squirrel into the wild. In recent years, squirrels have developed a liking for loft areas in domestic and commercial properties. Once inside, they chew wires, make lots of noise, set off alarms and build nests out of loft insulation. It’s very difficult to live in harmony with these creatures should they gain entry into your buildings, and the situation usually requires attention by a professional pest control company. Squirrels survive and adapt just as successfully as rats and mice, and require very similar control methods. There are a variety of a live cage traps, baits or proofing measures that can be used.
Talpidae - Moles Moles create havoc for many industries and private homes. They live relatively solitary lives and are military in their work and sleep patterns. They’ll dig several hundred feet of mole runs and create, on average, at least a dozen mounds in close proximity to where they’re living. Their main diet is worms that fall into the runs they create. The main problem with moles is the damage they cause spoiling sports fields, public parks, golf courses, private gardens and agricultural areas. The mounds and divots they create are unsightly and can also pose a risk of injury to the public. This is a particular concern for local authorities and parish councils because of the fear of being prosecuted. At Abate, we offer a trapping or gassing service which has been successful for our clients time and time again. There are no other legal methods of control which are proven to be 100% effective. Because of the laws against releasing illegal chemicals into the soil, we would advise against attempting to eradicate moles yourself.
We have been using Abate for many years to eliminate and control what initially was a serious problem with rodents, mainly rats around our cottage and offices. As we live in the country we had suffered from occasional ingression into our property. Since Abate assessed our needs and made recommendations as to the level of protection we would need and provided a continued service every three months, the problem has disappeared. We have always been impressed by the professionalism and courtesy of the staff and the prompt and dependable service we always enjoy. Tony White Residential Customer
LIFE CYCLE ... ABATE SOLUTIONS At Abate, we take a proactive approach to solving pest problems by offering you advice on how to make your premises less attractive to rodents. This helps reduce the chance of any problems occurring in the first place. We refer to this as ‘integrated pest management’, and it’s particularly useful in areas where the use of pesticides is considered to be a last resort (organic food premises, for example).
Proactive Pest Control’ Rodent control is vitally important and we recommend you have regular service inspections spread out over the course of the year. This allows your premises to have baits checked, replenished or relocated to areas where they will be most effective. A standard contract entails eight service visits, carried out approximately six to seven weeks apart, over a twelve month period. This ensures that any surviving rodents from previous treatments or new litters are also dealt with. In addition to this service, we offer field survey inspections for clients whose suppliers request this as part of their pest control criteria. All of our services are tailored to suit the needs of your individual business. The treatments we offer will depend on what we find.
Contract Service Objective A commercial contract with Abate Pest Management is an agreement between both parties as to the most cost effective pest control solution over an agreed period of time. For every contract we will install a Service Report Pack to each of the premises we service, detailing contract deliverables and reports. On each site inspection, treatment or audit we will identify and report evidence of any pest infestation. We will discuss the issues and take the necessary action to eliminate the identified pest problem. A full risk assessment of the proposed work is carried out before any contract work commences. We will record the amount and the location of any pesticide used and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) information will be supplied in our Service Report Pack. All emergency call-outs are dealt with usually within 24 hours and will be free of charge for specified pests. All remedial follow-up treatments against rodents will be carried out until the issue is under control. We will continue to offer our expert guidance on all matters relating to pest prevention and hygiene. We also recommend that we have regular contract reviews to review performance and service trends, reviewing our management reports that are supplied.
PREVENTION & CURE ABATE IN ACTION PEST
RISK FACTOR
CONTROL TECHNIQUES & TREATMENT
Rats
Fear of damage Baiting of a regular cycled pattern Fear of disease Trapping checked on a daily basis Phobia Proofing and restriction, looking for possible entrance points Loss of reputation Education and advice courses on rodent activities Devaluation of food commodities Contracts and maintenance programmes Loss of business Technical availability / support by phone or website Risk of prosecution
Mice
Fear of damage Baiting of a regular cycled pattern. Fear of disease Trapping checked on a daily basis Phobia Proofing and restriction, looking for possible entrance points Loss of reputation Education and advice courses on rodent activities Devaluation of food commodities Contracts and maintenance programmes Loss of business Technical availability / support by phone or website Risk of prosecution
Squirrels Fear of damage Baiting outside from 15th March to 15th August Devaluation of food commodities Inside baiting all year round Loss of business Trapping checked on a daily basis Proofing and restriction, looking for possible entrance points Education and advice courses on squirrel activities Contracts and maintenance programmes Technical availability / support by phone or website Moles Fear of damage Fear of prosecution through public injury
Trapping checked on a daily basis Gassing Education and advice courses on mole activities Contracts and maintenance programmes Technical availability / support by phone or website
WHAT ELSE DO WHERE DO WE COVER? WE WORK? All types of pest species including, but not limited to: Textile pests Wasps and flies Ants and fleas Cockroaches Bed bugs Bird control Woodworm
Contract servicing of:
Commercial premises Pubs and restaurants Shops and offices Local authorities Housing associations Schools Hospitals Nursing homes Domestic premises
If you have a pest problem, we can help!
Rapid response service 7 days a week Discreet & professional service Fully insured ISO / NPTA registered Free site surveys and estimates Committed to quality - money back guarantee
HEAD OFFICE
IF YOU HAVE A PEST PROBLEM CONTACT THE ABATE TEAM FREEPHONE 0800 980 9609 info@abateltd.co.uk
www.abateltd.co.uk
ABATE LTD
Hawkfield House 20 Chapel Road Morley St. Botolph Wymondham Norfolk NR18 9TF