After investing in a new spa or swimming pool, the last thing you will want is rodents getting into the system and wreaking havoc – we have all heard stories about broken heaters which are inspected only to find a rat and its family living inside. Unfortunately for spa and swimming pool owners it is an ideal environment for rodents, especially during the cold winter months as it is warm, cosy and concealed so they are at no danger. Rats not only carry diseases but can also cause a significant amount of damage chewing through wires and building their nests in unwanted places. Luckily there are some ways of preventing them from entering and if the worst comes to worst, a pest control company will always be able to solve your problem.
The first step to take is to make sure that there is no way in for the rodents, blocking up holes with expandable foam is a good idea but be sure to check that this would not affect the workings of the system. Rats only need a gap about the same size as a 20 pence (Quarter Size) piece and mice a 5 pence (Dime Size) piece – they really are nature’s contortionist.
Steel wool also works well because rodents hate the texture and will not try to bury through. Cover up ventilators with fine mesh to allow for air flow but to stop any pests squeezing through the slats.
It is during the winter months that your spa and swimming pool are particularly favoured by rodents because it is cold and you are less likely to be using them on a regular basis. Therefore switching on your heater regularly during these months also will dissuade pests from finding a new home.
Another tip is to line the heater box with hardware cloth. This is essentially a screen type cloth made from metal. The benefit being that it will not harm your system and rodents cannot chew through it.
There are some substances that rodents do not like the smell of and will keep them at bay. You can either use mothballs or most pest control companies stock rodent repellent – placing mothballs under your spa or in the system and spraying rodent repellent around should keep rodents away. Peppermint is another scent rodents dislike so spraying this around the spa is another good tip.
Hopefully by using these tips you will be able to keep your spa and swimming pool rodent free. Most importantly make sure you are continually checking for signs of pests so you can act as soon as trouble arises! Remember that if you are unsure about how to tackle a problem or feel that it is too large; contacting a pest control company can save stress and money in the long term.
Author Bio:
This article has been written on behalf of Abate Pest Management Ltd – a pest control company covering the whole of East Anglia.
No comments:
Post a Comment