Homeowners with garden decking urged to do 1 task this summer or risk infestation
As the summer season intensifies, those with garden decking are being cautioned about a simple yet vital task they must not ignore. Reports of garden infestations are rapidly increasing, with wasp and hornet nests escalating “by around 150 per cent”.
As we brace ourselves for another heatwave, pests are on the hunt for shelter, with garden decking emerging as one of the prime hotspots. Decking Superstore experts caution that “rats, ants, foxes, and even snakes are increasingly seeking refuge in the cool, quiet void beneath garden decks”.
Regardless of how pristine your decking appears, the expert has outlined proactive measures that gardeners should adopt to prevent an infestation this summer, reports the Express.
How to keep pests out
The most critical step is to inspect underneath the decking using a torch. Gardeners should be on the lookout for signs of shredded material, movement or droppings.
“Just five minutes with a torch every few weeks is often enough to catch a problem early,” added the decking expert. Gardeners should then clean up the area, removing bins, logs, or clutter near or on the structure.
Homeowners should also refrain from eating or leaving food remnants or crumbs nearby, including bird seeds and pet food. Subsequently, gardeners should trim back any overgrown plants, as these provide cover for smaller pests.
The expert also recommends sealing the gaps at entry points; timber trim or fine-gauge mesh is ideal for blocking access beneath the decking. Lastly, apply pest-resistant wood treatments to deter insects and preserve the deck.
Signs you might have an infestation
- Strange, musty or urine-like smells
- Scratching or rustling sounds after dark
- Sagging, soft, or warped boards
- Droppings or shredded debris near gaps
- Increased wasp or insect activity around the perimeter
How to tell if you have a mouse or rat infestation
Solutions Pests and Lawns, a pest control expert, suggested that “one of the most common ways to distinguish between these pests is to examine their droppings”.
Mouse droppings tend to be more sporadic, while rats leave their droppings along walls and sides, both above and below on porches, sheds, and decks.
“Mouse droppings are smooth with pointed ends and are dark to light brown coloured, measuring about a quarter of an inch long. Rat droppings are black, pellet-shaped, and, depending on the species, have either blunted or pointed ends,” the pest expert explained.
To eliminate rats or mice lurking under your decking, the expert recommends placing four to six baits inside a bait station and positioning it flat against the decking with the product entrance hole facing the structure.
