Mouse infestation remains one of the most persistent problems faced by housing managers and agents – which is why mouse proofing housing stock is, in our view, the best rodent control strategy.
Many social housing providers and private landlords are locked into what they find to be a futile cycle of responding to mouse infestation with rodenticides.
On the face of it, baiting is a cheap option. It also shows tenants you are doing something about their mice problems. But in the long run, costs build up, and baiting does little to get rid of mice permanently, if at all.
So what’s the solution? In two words – mouse proofing. It just makes sense. If you were burgled because you accidently left the front door open, you would not leave the front door open again.
That is, in effect, what people do with baiting. Put down something attractive for a mouse to eat, while leaving not just the front door open, but multiple points of entry across your property.
If you get the logic, here are 5 more reasons why mouse proofing housing stock, using the SUPERPROOFTM methodology, in the best way to get rid of mice.
1 SUPERPROOFTM works
SUPERPROOFTM is mouse proofing done properly, and it works. There are some builders and pest controllers who say they mouse proof, but none have developed the scientifically-proven approach we have. Superproofing is the systematic and permanent blocking of points of entry, and potential points of entry, into a property.
Once a property is Superproofed, mice do not have access to the food and shelter they want, and cannot even sense it. So they look elsewhere for somewhere to live.
Some housing managers are sceptical about whether it can be applied on a large scale to multiple homes, either in a block or on a traditional low-rise estate, but we have proved it can be many times. We can achieve first time mouse proofing success in more than 90% of cases. As part of the service, we will return and continue the process until all properties are mouse proofed.
Baiting is very different. At best, at very best, it has a short-term effect in 30% of cases. But evidence shows that mice ‘learn’ to avoid rodenticide poison and traps. Also, their reproduction rate, and behavioural traits mean baiting and trapping does not work as a permanent mouse control solution.
2 Mouse proofing is cost-effective
Because SUPERPROOFTM works it is cost-effective. In fact, we have shown that Superproofing 1,000 homes over a five year period costs 40% less than mouse baiting. Yet, unlike bating, it is an effective way to get rid of mice. We admit, some housing managers are scepital about whether it is possible to mouse proofing multiple properties. But we’ve proved it can be done.
3 Mouse proofing slashes hidden costs
SUPERPROOFTM is a first time fix. There are no on-going complaints. There is no need to arrange multiple visits by pest control companies. Much less communication with tenants and with housing colleagues is required. Problem identified, problem solved. Job done.
4 Mousing proofing is a humane and eco-friendly mouse deterrence
Our approach is a proven humane mouse deterrent. Many tenants are concerned about the impact of baiting rodenticides and traps on pets and children. Many are also unhappy that bait can be inadvertently taken by wild animals. Once in the external food chain, predators such as birds of prey, can be killed by ingesting animals that have eaten rodent poison.
SUPERPROOFTM has none of these highly negative and contentious issues. It is a positive, good news story in terms of being a sustainable approach to pest control. That’s because the process uses no poisons or traps. As such, it is a mouse proofing service that is very much welcomed by social landlords as a humane way to get rid of mice. It is also in line with eco-friendly rodent removal strategies approved by industry bodies, such as the British Pest Control Association.
New EU regulations are also tightening control of the use of rodenticides, precisely because of the danger they pose to wider eco-systems, so their effectiveness and availability as a rodent control solution will be curtailed still further in the very near future.
5 Mouse proofing generates great tenant satisfaction
Good housing management is more than a tick box exercise, as is mouse proofing housing stock. Then again, when it comes to tenant satisfaction, SUPERPROOFTM ticks a lot of boxes! It’s a first time fix. It is humane, eco-friendly and safe for pets and children. It reduces fuss and bother to a minimum: one day’s work and the job is complete.
Properties are left looking just as they were before the mouse proofing took place. Most of the work is done where it cannot be seen. Also, tenants don’t have much to do to prepare for Superproofing to be carried out.
That makes for excellent tenant satisfaction. Our social housing clients start getting positive letters and comments from tenants, not more complaints, as they do when they carry out conventional baiting, and no more demands for action from councillors and MPs, or legal letters from lawyers.
We think that’s 5 good reasons for considering SUPERPROOFTM as they best option for mouse proofing housing stock.
For more information about mouse proofing social housing stock, read our social housing mouse proofing information sheet.
To talk to our mouse proofing experts, telephone: 0808 133 2330 or email [email protected]
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