Rodent infestations can cause an enormous amount of damage to your home, including structural issues that will result in expensive repairs. Alongside the physical damage they cause, their presence on your property also places you and your loved ones at serious risk of catching a disease that could develop into a potentially life-threatening illness.
Unfortunately, rodent infestations can happen to anyone at any time. So, we’ve put together our top tips to get rid of rodents to help you stay safe and protected from the threats they create. When it comes to pests, time is of the essence, so don’t delay! Continue reading to learn more and have your home rodent-free in no time at all.
Use Traps
Ask any professional pest controller, and they will tell you that the best way to remove a rodent infestation is to use rat and mouse traps. Traps are a low-maintenance method of pest control that is suitable for both small and large infestations, so no matter how bad your rodent problem has become, they will work effectively.
When it comes to rodent traps, we recommend using snap traps and purchasing your solutions from a trustworthy pest control equipment supplier. In order for traps to work quickly, it’s vital to place them all around any problem areas in your home. Simply position them in place, activate them and wait for the magic to happen. Make sure to regularly check your traps and remove them once they have worked effectively. Please take care when setting up your rodent traps, and always read the instructions carefully.
Baits
Bait stations are a popular alternative to traps and are also used by professional pest controllers, depending on the circumstances. Unlike traps, bait stations do not trap the rodents; instead, they are containers for rodent baits.
Rodent baits are essentially small cubes of poison that work against rats and mice and are designed to look and smell like rodent food. The rodents will enter the bait box and eat a portion of the bait before leaving and returning to their nests. Rodent poisons typically take up to 48 hours to kill. During this time, the poison has been taken back to the nest and passed around the colony. Because of this, many pest controllers view bait stations as a more efficient way of removing rodent infestations, as traps only kill one rodent at a time.
Unfortunately, since they contain poison, bait stations may be unsuitable for homes with young children or pets. Although they are designed to prevent tampering, accidents do happen, so please be careful when using rodent bait stations in your home and always follow the instructions.
Natural Methods
If the thought of using poisons and traps in your home disagrees with you, then there are a number of natural methods out there for getting rid of a rodent infestation. However, it is worth bearing in mind that they will not be as effective as traps and bait stations.
Rats and mice have incredibly sensitive noses, which means that strong smells can be off-putting for them. So much so that it can send them running and therefore get rid of your rodent infestation. Essential oils like peppermint or clove oil have been known to deter and repel mice and rats. All you need to do is take some cotton balls and soak them in a strong-scented essential oil and place them around the problem areas of your home.
Professional Control
Ultimately, the safest and most effective way to get rid of rodents in your home is to use the services of a professional pest control company near you. Pest controllers have the necessary knowledge and equipment needed to remove infestations with ease – plus, you don’t have to do any of the dirty work!
If you’ve noticed signs of rodents in your home, then it’s time to give these tips a go. The quicker you remove the infestation, the better.