Do you have a rodent or rat problem?
The smell is the first thing you notice when you discover a rodent or rat issue. Rodents, rats, and mice are mammals from the order “Rodentia”. There are over 10,000 species of rodents worldwide. Rats are large, toothy rodents with a worldwide distribution that have their origins in Asia and Australia. There are more than 60 different species of rats, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). Rodents can create issues with your house, office, or other building in many ways. They can chew through wires so they can get inside buildings, electrical boxes, and servers. They can also cause structural damage that may lead to fires and other issues due to their noxious odors. It’s a common problem, but it’s also one that can cause health risks and damage to your home. The best way to deal with a rodent/rat problem is to hire a professional pest control company, but you can take steps to do it yourself if you need to.
How Do You Prevent a Rodent or Rat Problem?
Seal off your attic, basement, and crawl spaces
In addition to sealing your home, you should also seal off your attic, basement, and crawl spaces. This is a must if you have rats or mice in your home. If there are any cracks in the walls of your house, you can use caulk to fill them in. If there are no holes in the floor or ceiling but there are gaps between boards or joists at different heights (especially around windows), then use silicone caulk for this purpose as well. Make sure that there are no holes in either wall behind drywall where moisture could accumulate during rain storms or other inclement weather conditions; this includes any baseboards that serve as support for doors so they don’t fall through over time due to humidity building up inside those spaces too much pressure being exerted on them while trying hard not fall down onto someone below who might be walking by at any given moment; also keep an eye out for anything else like pipes running underneath carpets where water could collect if left unchecked before causing damage elsewhere later down the road when someone tries cleaning up after themselves again.
Keep cleanliness rules in the kitchen
Rodents are drawn to food sources, so it’s important that you keep your kitchen clean and well-stocked with food items. This will help prevent rodents from getting into your food supply, which can lead to an infestation in your home. If you have children at home who tend to forget about leaving things out on counters or tables, make sure they understand this rule before they leave something out that could attract a rodent. Here are some rules to keep your kitchen clean:
- Keep food in sealed containers.
- Wash dishes immediately after use and put them away in a dishwasher or sink with hot water, soap, and bleach to prevent odors from lingering on the handles of your pots and pans.
- Clean up spills immediately. Don’t leave food out overnight; rodents can get into anything they find left behind at night!
- Don’t leave pet bowls under sinks where mice may be able to access them (or worse yet—the water!).
Use mouse traps and rat poison
Mouse traps are an effective way to catch mice, as long as you get the right kind. A snap trap is designed to kill mice without injuring them, but it won’t work if the occupant of your home is a rat or other small mammal that can chew through metal. To avoid this problem, use an electronic rodent deterrent instead: The device emits an ultrasonic sound that scares off rodents by causing them pain and discomfort (and thus preventing them from returning). You can also use glue traps along with baits like peanut butter or cat food; they’re less effective than electronic devices but still do their job well enough to make up for lower rates of success when used alone. Rats aren’t so easy to catch with traditional methods either—they’re too smart! However, there are some products on the market today that claim they will do just what we need them to do: kill rats dead! These products come in many different forms; some contain poisons meant specifically for killing rats only while others contain parts meant specifically for killing everything including humans–so don’t forget about these options before making your purchase decision.
Below is a guide as to how to select and place traps, or you can also watch this video by the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program.
- Snap Trap – the earliest kind of trap, this one uses a spring-loaded bar to instantly kill rodents upon contact. Some contemporary snap traps shield the device in a plastic enclosure to reduce harm to kids and animals.
- Electronic Trap – this battery-operated trap instantly kills rodents by shocking them with electricity. Models of this more recent type of trap are available for both rats and mice.
- Live-Animal trap – this catch-and-release method prevents the death of a rat or mouse. Rodent release into the wild is prohibited in some states.
- Multiple-Catch Live Mouse Trap – this catch-and-release technique enables the capturing of several mice.
- Glue Trap – because the adhesive plate that is used to catch rats can also trap birds, young animals, reptiles, and even pets, glue traps are not advised. These traps also subject rodents to unnecessary agony.
First aid in case of a bite
If you’ve been bitten, it’s important to keep the wound clean and bandaged. Do not use any sharp objects such as tweezers or cotton swabs to remove the rodent from your home. If you’re able to capture the rodent, place it in a box with a lid and keep it away from children and pets until you can safely dispose of it. If possible, seek medical attention if any of these symptoms develop: fever (103°F), vomiting (vomitus), diarrhea (diarrhea), difficulty breathing, or swelling in lymph nodes
What Not To Do if a Rodent or Rat is in Your House?
Do not adopt a cat expecting it to solve your rodent or rat problems
If you have a rat or mouse problem, don’t adopt a cat thinking it will solve your rat problems. Cats are great hunters, but they can’t get into the walls and attics where rats nest and produce successive generations. Instead of a cat, consider hiring a pest control professional to perform inspections and treatments for your home. If you have an infestation of mice or rats, they’ll be able to catch more and larger species that are more difficult to remove using traditional methods such as traps or poison.
The best way to deal with a rodent/rat problem is to hire a professional pest control company.
Pest control companies will come in, monitor your property and spray for rodents in order to get rid of them. Many pest control companies also offer training for their technicians, so that they know how to identify rodent infestation and what type of treatment is needed to eliminate them from your home. These professionals have access to the best tools and products in the industry, and they will be able to effectively identify and treat the problem at hand. They’ll also use the best strategies available to keep your home rodent-free. A professional pest control company will be able to assess your situation and provide an effective solution that will prevent a further infestation from occurring in the future. If you can’t take care of the problem yourself, hire a professional. It will cost more than a half-baked DIY solution which could put you at risk for some health issues but it’s better than having to deal with the problem for months or years on end. Rats and mice can spread disease and cause even more damage if they’re left unchecked, so getting a pest control company involved is the safest bet.
