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Pest Control Problems for Companies in Plymouth

Known for its bustling nightlife, diverse range of businesses, historic dockyard and mighty naval history, Plymouth holds many attractions for tourists and is a welcome home for all who live there. However, as with all coastal cities – and the businesses that operate within them – Britain’s Ocean City is no stranger to pest problems. Rats and mice in particular flourish throughout. From Mount Batten to Ernesettle, these rodents exploit the abundance of food and shelter provided by the many cafes, pubs, bars, restaurants and takeaways that serve visitors, students and permanent residents throughout the year.

For companies in Plymouth, effective defence against pests means securing Plymouth businesses with pest control contracts from local professionals who understand the precise threats local businesses face.

Rats and Mice in Plymouth

The old adage that you’re never more than six feet away from a rat when travelling through a city may or may not be 100% accurate at any given time or place. However, it’s certainly much more than an urban myth.

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Cities are breeding grounds for rodents and Plymouth is no exception. Last year, video footage emerged showing a swarm of as many as 30 rats in Armada Way – home to many local businesses, shops, food outlets and the Armada Shopping Centre. The rodents were filmed in broad daylight scavenging for litter on the ground, apparently undisturbed by the presence of the people around them.“I’ve never seen so many rats in all my life,” the local resident who filmed the vermin told Plymouth Live. “There were about 30 of them. There were about 15 of them just on the pavement.

They were jumping up on the tiles. They were everywhere. I was absolutely mortified. Nobody is going to want to come to Plymouth with that many rats around. Every so often you see one or two but I have never seen as many as there were today. I was a bit worried. They can bite and they carry so many diseases.”

This is true. Both rats and mice pose a significant health risk to humans and carry diseases including salmonella, Weil’s disease and hantavirus. They also carry fleas, mites and ticks which can cause acute allergic reactions. The presence of rats and mice in or near any business premises is extremely serious. All business owners have a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their staff and customers. This includes maintaining a clean, safe and pest-free environment at all times. Seeing video footage of so many rats in such a busy part of Plymouth is cause for great concern for businesses in the area and the wider city and a pest control contract should be sought to ensure early detection, prevention and control of pests on their premises.

Signs of Rats and Mice in Your Commercial Premises

It’s not just Armada Way where rats and mice are present.

Plymouth has long been a major urban centre in the South West. In recent times, many new residential developments have emerged and investments have been made in shopping areas with big name brands coming to the city for the first time. From Union Street to the historic Barbican and Sutton Harbour, there are more restaurants, bars and places of entertainment than ever before, attracting tens of thousands of people to the city.

However, being opportunistic scavengers, rats and mice flourish in such areas where dense human populations mean there is plenty of shelters, litter is rife and food waste found in abundance. As such, Plymouth business pest control contacts are an absolute must for companies all over the city who have a legal duty to take the necessary measures to control pests.

With a citywide presence of rats and mice, business owners in Plymouth need to be alert to any signs of infestation and deal with them swiftly. Here’s what to look out for:

Damage to Property: Both rats and mice are voracious gnawers. They chew on all types of material – including wood, masonry and metal – to wear their incisor teeth down, so any signs of gnawing can indicate infestation. They will also cause damage to softer materials such as cardboard and paper when gathering material to build their nests. Naturally, food products are a prime target for rodents as well, so any evidence of feeding should be treated as a sign of their presence.

Droppings: These are large enough to spot easily with the naked eye. Mouse and rat droppings are dark brown. Mouse droppings are similar in both size and shape to a grain of rice.

Footprints and Smear Marks: Business owners should check for footprints and tail marks around their premises. These may appear in dusty areas or as wet prints on dry floors. Rats and mice will also leave greasy smear marks along walls and skirting boards as they travel back and forth from their nests.

Squeaks and Scratching Noises: If you hear any squeaking from inside your walls or under the floorboards this could be an indication of a rodent presence. In addition, you may hear scratching noises as the animals climb around.

Of course, it may be that you, a member of staff or even a customer spots a full-grown mouse or rat somewhere on your premises. If such a sighting occurs, it’s imperative that you contact Plymouth business pest control professionals immediately to ensure the infestation is dealt with.

Plymouth Business Pest Control Solutions

No matter what type of business you run in the Plymouth area, the threat of mouse and rat infestation is present at all times. These rodents thrive in the city and are always on the lookout to exploit new food sources and buildings for shelter, where their numbers will quickly multiply.

All business owners in Plymouth should take proactive measures to prevent infestations from establishing in the first place. They can do so by securing a Plymouth business pest control contract from Baroque Pest Services part od Safeguard. With over 30 years’ experience designing and implementing bespoke pest control solutions for businesses in Plymouth, Baroque Pest Services is the number one choice for business owners looking for a fast and effective service that delivers peace of mind.

Baroque Pest Services serves all kinds of industries including: Bars, Pubs, Cafés, Restaurants, Hotels and B&Bs, as well as Nursing Homes, Factories, Warehouses and Organic Farms.

Our service begins with a free survey and risk assessment of your commercial premises. We will then tailor a business pest control contract that suits your business’ precise needs. Contact your local pest control specialist today for a free quotation.

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