Tips For Effective Rodent Control

Rodents can cause a lot of damage to your home, including chewing through wires and other insulation, causing fires. They also gnaw on stored food and pet foods, making them a big threat to your health and safety.

In addition to the physical damage they cause, rodents can spread disease. Rats and mice are carriers of leptospirosis, hantavirus, rabies and other diseases that can be dangerous to pets and humans. They can also contaminate dog food, creating an unsanitary and expensive problem for homeowners.

The most effective rodent control methods are sanitation, exclusion and trapping. Sanitation removes and eliminates sources of food, water and shelter that attract rodents, while exclusion prevents their entry into your home.

Seal holes and cracks with duct tape or use a steel wool product to dissuade rodents from entering through small gaps. Ensure doors and floor drains have kick plates or other barriers to keep rodents from gnawing on them, and make sure vent openings are covered with screens or grates to exclude rodents from getting into the air.

If you see signs that rodents are entering your home, call a professional pest control company immediately to help get the job done. They will provide a thorough inspection and recommend the best course of action to get rid of rats.

Keeping your house clean and free of clutter is the key to preventing infestations. Clean up spills as soon as they occur, put away discarded food and garbage properly, and store items with tight lids in rodent-proof containers.

Trim and prune trees, shrubs and brush to minimize cover and hiding places that could allow rodents to enter or nest nearby. If possible, store woodpiles and other materials 12 inches or more above the ground and in a separate building.

Place screens or grate over exterior vents and floor drains to exclude rodents, and fill in spaces around pipes with cement. Metal collars can be attached to pillars, support poles and vertical pipes to prevent rodents from climbing them.

Avoid using poisons in your home unless necessary. These contain toxins that can be harmful to your pets and children, and should only be used by trained professionals.

If you want to take a more natural approach, try using apple cider vinegar and water as a spray or putting fabric softener sheets in areas where you have found rodent activity. Repeat this at least once a month to discourage rodents from entering your home.

Another natural repellent is using a sonic device that emits high-pitched sounds. Sonic devices are designed to irritate rodents’ hearing, but there is little evidence that this type of repellent works.

It is also important to remove all possible sources of food in and around your home, especially food that has a high odor or attracts other wildlife. This includes seeds, grains and pet foods that are easy for rodents to digest.

When you find rodents in your home, contact an Orkin Pro for assistance with rodent exclusion, trapping or baiting. Our professionals are highly skilled and trained to get the job done quickly. You can get more enlightened on this topic by reading here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_pest_management.