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Pest Control Expert Reveals the £1 Coin Test Will Help Keep Rats Out of Your Home
Experts say a 15mm to 20mm gap can let an adult rat inside, and a 10-minute check may reveal vulnerable entry points.
- John Whiteley-Wilkson, managing director at Acorn Environment Services, is encouraging homeowners to use a £1 coin to check their properties for potential rat entry points before autumn arrives.
- Adult rats can squeeze through openings measuring between 15mm and 20mm, roughly the diameter of a £1 coin; if a coin fits into an exterior gap, a rat can likely force its way through.
- Utility pipes and air bricks are common entry points often hidden behind bins or plants. "Air bricks are essential for ventilation, but if they're damaged or missing protective mesh, they can become an easy route inside," Whiteley-Wilkson said.
- Outbuildings, garages, and side gates are often overlooked but serve as initial nesting spots for rodents. Homeowners should also remove external food sources like fallen bird seed or compost to deter pests seeking indoor shelter.
- Spending ten minutes performing the £1 coin test can identify vulnerabilities before rodents establish themselves. "Most rat problems don't begin because homeowners have done something wrong," Whiteley-Wilkson added, emphasizing that prevention is opportunistic rodent behavior, not homeowner negligence.
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