PESTAWARE
From rotting pumpkins to unattended sweet treats, Halloween celebrations can inadvertently become a party for pests, warn experts at British Pest Control Association (BPCA).
To avoid attracting unwanted visitors such as rats, mice, foxes and insects, BPCA is advising householders to take a few simple steps this Halloween.
The national trade body regularly issues advice on measures that help protect public health and has an online guide to pests at bpca.org.uk/A-Z
Niall Gallagher is Technical Manager at BPCA. He said: “Pests such as rats and mice carry bacteria including Salmonella and Listeria that can cause illnesses. They can also squeeze through some very small gaps to get somewhere warm with a food source.
“We always advise simple steps such as ensuring outdoor bins are securely closed to avoid attracting rodents, but at Halloween doorstep pumpkin displays and decorations can sometimes catch the attention of rats and mice.
“Pumpkins are also a tasty treat for foxes and for late season insects, so we do recommend householders take a couple of precautionary steps to avoid encouraging pests to their front door.”
BPCA’s four top tips to prevent Halloween pests are:
- Prime your pumpkin: Put straw or crunched up newspaper beneath your pumpkin to keep it slightly off the ground and help avoid rot. Don’t leave pumpkins out for too long and remove them if they start to go squishy
- Stow the sweeties: If you’re not going to be in on Halloween, think twice before leaving anything out for passing trick-or-treaters. If unattended sweeties attract the attention of a passing rodent, it’s possible they could become contaminated by bacteria, urine or droppings
- Doorstep deterrents: If you’re planning a display of pumpkins or decorations around the threshold to your home, check for gaps around the frame and under the door, around cable or pipe entry points and under porch eaves. Fill gaps with wire wool and cement so if any rodents come near the doorway there are no easy routes for them to get indoors
- Bag and bin it: When pumpkins are past their best, put them inside a sealed bag and then an outside bin with a securely closed lid. Bin lids should be kept fully closed year-round to prevent access by rats, mice, foxes, birds and insects.
Niall added: “While we recommend measures to avoid attracting pests towards your home, it’s also worth considering wildlife species that may have already moved in.
“Pumpkins should be raised off the floor wherever possible as they can be detrimental to some wildlife species such as hedgehogs.
“October is often the peak time for false widow spider activity and while they can usually be safely left alone, these spiders are often found in the eaves or porches or around doorways.
“If you’ve gone all out and festooned your door with decorative cobwebs it’s a good idea to check carefully before removing it.
“False widows don’t launch unprovoked attacks but have been known to bite if accidental contact is made.
“Their venom causes a short-lived reaction and has been described as being similar to wasp sting, but occasionally can be longer-lasting and extend beyond the site of the bite.
“Look out for a loose tangle of webbing with a tube of silk in one corner that leads towards a crevice. This could be a false widow spider web, so take extra care when removing decorations.
“Anyone concerned about pest activity should contact a BPCA member for advice.”
BPCA member businesses are endorsed by the Government via the TrustMark quality scheme as they must carry the correct insurances and are trained and qualified technicians who are assessed to the British Standard in pest management EN 16636 and follow BPCA’s Codes of Best Practice.
To find a BPCA member visit: bpca.org.uk/find.
Source: Online