Most pest problems start with the same few weaknesses. Work through this checklist, room by room, and you will close the gaps before anything moves in.
Walk round the building once in spring and once in autumn. Look at airbricks, the base of walls, the gaps round pipes and cables, and the junction between the roof and the walls. Anything wider than a pencil is a way in for mice, and a good deal smaller is enough for insects.
Sherwood has Victorian villas and terraces, and older houses of this kind tend to have more joints, more brick and more history to inspect. Chimneys, bay window roofs, cellar vents and old coal chutes can all be forgotten openings.
Pests come for food, water and shelter. Take away the first two and the shelter matters less. Keep dry goods in hard containers, wipe worktops each night, and do not leave pet bowls down overnight. Outside, use bins with tight lids and keep them away from the back door.
A busy local shopping parade nearby means more food waste around the area, so tidiness at home helps. Even if your own house is clean, a neighbour's overflowing bin can draw rats and foxes to the street.
In spring, check eaves and soffits for wasps starting nests and squirrels looking for loft space. In summer, watch for ants and flies when the weather is warm. In autumn, rodents look for indoor shelter, so check gaps before the cold sets in. In winter, look at storage and stock, since moths and beetles thrive in quiet rooms.
Bring second-hand furniture, rugs and boxes inside only after a close inspection. Bed bugs, moths and cockroaches can all travel in them.
If you would like someone to look over the property, we include a free pest prevention survey and free advice with all treatments. The survey looks at the places you may not think of, from loft hatches to drains. What it finds depends on the house and the time of year.
Keep a short note of what you checked and when. If something appears later, you will know whether it is new, which helps a technician work out how it got in.
Call 0115 937 5117 to talk through your checklist or arrange a visit.
A quick look every season is a good habit, with extra attention in autumn when rodents move in. Check the loft, cellar and kitchen cupboards, as these are the places signs appear first.
Cleanliness helps but does not block entry points. Gaps, open bins and outside food sources also matter, which is why a checklist covers both the inside and the outside of the house.
Tell us what you have seen and where, and we will come back to you. Prices are fixed and there is no call-out charge.
