7 Rodent Control and Removal Methods

Rodents can be a nightmare in your home due to their scurrying, scratching, and gnawing. These noises are not only distracting, but they can keep you up at night. Apart from being pesky, rodents can destroy valuable materials like attic insulation and electrical wires, exposing you to danger.

Research also shows that rodents can cause the spread of different diseases. They carry allergens that can cause allergic rhinitis and asthma.

What’s more annoying is that rodents are sneaky, and you may find it challenging to control. If you suspect that you have a rodent problem, you can take specific control measures.

Rodent Control and Removal Methods

Below are some rodent control methods.

1. Seal any Entry Points

Check the exteriors of your house for any openings or small holes. Rats can enter through a half-inch hole, while mice can fit in a quarter-inch hole. Don’t forget to check your attic for any entry points.

For effective rodent removal, seal any spots in your home’s exterior that could act as an entry point. The sealing could involve patching holes or plugging steel wool into small holes. You can contact a pest removal company if you’re not sure of where to look for these holes.

2. Remove anything that can Act as a Food Source

Rodents are attracted to bread, fresh grain, cereal, sugar, and anything they can chew. They’ll often play in dirty dishes, crumbs on the counter, and an open pantry. You need to make your home unfavorable for rodents.

Ensure that you wipe any spills, clean the dishes, and store foods in tight containers. Avoid putting food in cardboard containers or zip lock bags as rats can chew through this material. Always rinse food and beverage containers before recycling or discarding.

3. Keep Your Exterior Free of Debris

Make sure that you don’t have compost piles or wood piles lying around as they can act as hiding spots for rodents. Moreover, these places are moist and provide a water source for these pests. Trim any shrubs and keep your grass short.

Ivy acts as a food source for rodents, not to forget that the plant can act as a ladder to attics, windows, and other interior spaces. Avoid planting Ivy in your backyard. Keep any firewood off the ground and a distance away from the house.

4. Use Rodent Traps

Once you’ve conducted an inspection and identify areas that the rats or mice like to visit, it’s time to get a trap. Remember that you want to get the right trap size. Place the trap where there are signs of infestation and rodent activity.

If you have rats, ensure that you place the traps about fifteen to twenty feet apart. However, if you have mice, put the trap some few feet apart.

5. Use Rodenticides

Rodenticides can kill rodents through multiple doses or a single dose. Acute rodenticides react with stomach acid in the digestive system to produce toxic gas, leading to internal bleeding.

Make sure to read the product label for instructions on how to apply the rodenticide. Wear protective equipment when handling chemicals.

6. Keep Natural Predators

Keeping natural rodent predators like barn owls or cats is one of the most effective rodent control methods. However, remember that some cats are not natural rodent hunters.

7. Get Some Rodent Repellents

High-frequency gadgets can be useful in rodent control. These devices have sounds and waves that can be distracting to the rodents.

Professional Rodent Control and Removal

Sometimes handling a rodent infestation can be challenging. That’s why you may need the help of rodent extermination experts. They have knowledgeable staff that can assess the situation and recommend the best methods to eliminate the problem.

A rodent pest control company may also incorporate integrated pest management solutions to ensure that you never have to deal with rodents.

More information about rodents

https://www.epa.gov/rodenticides/identify-and-prevent-rodent-infestations

https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/uploads/files/Community_and_Schools_PDFs/lesson10.pdf

http://saferodentcontrol.org/site/rodent-control/