In the mountains, chalets are particularly exposed to rodents. As soon as temperatures drop, mice and wood mice look for a warm place to spend the winter. Here is how to recognise them and react.
Signs of rodents
- Small black droppings along walls or in cupboards
- Scratching in walls or the loft, especially at night
- Gnawed cables, insulation or packaging
- Greasy marks along skirting boards
Why are chalets so exposed?
Timber construction, many nooks, food stores and nearby forest make the chalet an ideal refuge. In winter, the indoor warmth attracts rodents escaping the cold. Chalets left empty part of the year are the most affected: the infestation is often discovered on arrival for the season.
Risks not to ignore
Rodents gnaw electric cables (fire risk), contaminate food and can transmit diseases such as leptospirosis or salmonellosis. A mouse can have several litters a year: one pair quickly becomes a colony.
Good prevention habits
- Block holes and cracks: a mouse can get through a gap of about 1 cm.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Don’t leave rubbish lying around.
- Keep the surroundings tidy and firewood away from walls.
Professional rodent control
Badly placed traps, ineffective bait: DIY solutions soon reach their limits. I offer complete rodent control, from €149 to €209 depending on the area, with a 6-month guarantee. See rodent control.