If you are having a rodent problem, it is essential that you understand rodent extermination involves more than just finding the rodent and killing it. You should call an exterminator and work with them on developing a thorough plan in order to ensure not only that the rodents are removed from your home, to begin with, but that the problem does not persist. This is truer if you are already experiencing a problem that seems to come and go over and over again. Even if not, it is best to deal with a problem this way the first time so that you do not have to spend money on an exterminator every six months to a year in order to fix a problem that has already been addressed.
Mice
Mice are not only one of the most common house critters, they are the one that typically has you or your wife climbing on a chair in the middle of the night contemplating whether or not to dial 911. There are a number of different ways that you can rid your home of mice. The most popular choice is to lay traps. This is because they are extremely effective and ensure that you can dispose of the dead carcass. If you have tried traps and have found them ineffective, you can use stickier food for your bait, like peanut butter. You want to place more than one trap as well, in order to ensure that they are effective. Think of how many traps you think you need in order to handle your issue. Now double that number. This is how many traps you should place around your home in order to ensure the problem is dealt with effectively.
Exterminating the Rats
Rats are worse than mice. These critters pose larger issues for homeowners. This is because they have powerful jaws. Their jaws are so powerful they can literally chew their way through the concrete. This means that they have the ability to cause a lot of damage to your home. Like squirrels, they also have the ability to chew through electrical wiring. When a critter chews through the electrical wiring of your home, this creates potentially dangerous situations, such as a fire risk. Poison is mostly ineffective in order to rid your home of rats, just like with mice. You should also realize that if you decide to place rat poison around your home and you have pets, the poison can seriously injure your pets. You also want to consider the fact that any mites, fleas, or ticks that were living on the rat are going to try and find a new home when their current host is killed. Their new home could be one of your pets, or can result in a huge public health issue.
More Information
If you have tried the traps and are realizing that your needs for rodent extermination have moved beyond what a trap can handle, it’s time to call the professional. Make sure that you ask your exterminator how much removal of the dead animals will cost if they plan on using methods that could potential leave them in your home, and how much the necessary precautions are going to cost you. If you’re looking for a company in the Fresno, CA area, check out our buddies at Offical Pest Pros, they offer rodent control services as well.