What a load of ‘Christmas’ rubbish!
At this time of year, we tend to have more rubbish in our homes, including food waste, wrapping paper and boxes. This can become a problem if left and attracts unwanted Christmas visitors, such as rats and mice.
Here is some helpful advice to help reduce those unwanted visitors…
Be Bin Friendly...
It’s important that you use the correct bins for your rubbish and recycling and that you put your bins out on the correct collection days, making sure your bin is not overflowing.
- Don’t leave any waste (bagged or otherwise) next to your bin or in communal spaces. You must dispose of all waste in the proper way.
- If you have too much waste, you can take this to your local tip – check on your local council’s website to find out which is the nearest to you.
- Bulky waste can also be collected through Magenta Living’s BERT service - £15 for up to three items and £4 for any further items after that. To arrange items to be removed from your home, contact us on 0808 100 9596 or visit www.magentaliving.org.uk/BERT
Other things to consider:
- Search for any low-level entry points and seal these up – rats can fit through a space as thin as two fingers.
- Remove potential nesting sites by keeping your outside space clean and tidy, cutting back overgrown areas and clearing any piles of wood or debris.
- Compost heaps can also become nesting sites - protect it with wire mesh to prevent rodents digging and sheltering
- Ensure that drain inspection covers are in a good state of repair and any disused pipes are sealed off.
- Make sure any cracked or broken bins are replaced. Ask your local council for a replacement where a bin is damaged.
- Bins offer a great platform for rats to reach new areas, so keep them away from windows and doors if possible.
- Give your bins a regular rinse with disinfection and hot water.
To find out more about when your waste and recycling bins will be emptied, especially ov er the Christmas holiday visit your local Council’s website:
- Wirral Borough Council – click here
- Halton Borough Council – click here
- Cheshire East Council – click here
- Cheshire West and Chester Council – click here
- Wirral Recycling- click here