Rats and mice are unwelcome visitors for most homeowners. They damage property, create a mess and may spread diseases. It’s important to call Pest Control Specialists in Jensen Beach to get rid of them. You can also try some traps and other methods for a rat-free home.
Give Your Home An Inspection
Before getting started on rat control, you need to identify where they’re coming from. A few points outside the home include damaged drains, cracked garage doors, gaps in vents and spaces in the foundation. On the inside, check the vents, appliance lines, etc. You can also look for footprints and rub marks.
Seal The Gaps
It doesn’t take a large gap to allow a rat to enter your home. Any hole that you can fit two fingers into is enough for them. So to prevent rats and mice from entering your homes, you can start by sealing all gaps in your interior and exterior walls. Use wire wool, metal kick plates, cement or caulk for the best protection. Check them a few times to ensure that they are in good shape.
Bait Stations
Bait stations are closed boxes with a rodenticide in paste or block form. The box doesn’t trap the rat, it just baits it to enter the box and eat the poison. The rat dies after some time. You can only hope that the rat dies away from home. Otherwise, you might have to deal with a bad smell from a hard-to-reach place due to their dead body.
On the plus side, the box prevents kids or pets from consuming the pesticide accidentally. The station may or may not be refillable.
Snap Trap
If you grew up watching cartoons, you probably don’t need an explanation of what they are and how they work. They are the least expensive option but very effective. You just need to keep a few things in mind when using them.
If you’re trying to catch a rat, then you should get a snap trap sized for them. The ones designed for mice might not kill or hold the rat. Also, these rodents prefer nuts and seeds over cheese. So use hazelnut spread or peanut butter for more effectiveness. Wear gloves when setting traps to avoid getting your scent on them.
Live Trap
Live traps are among the most humane ways of getting rid of rats and mice. They work because rodents have a natural tendency to investigate and wriggle into holes. When a mouse enters the live trap, its wind-up mechanism is triggered and the rodent is snapped to the other side. You need to check and empty these traps regularly.
If you find a rat trapped inside, you can either kill it humanely or release it elsewhere. If you choose the latter option, release it 200 or 300 feet away from your home.
Electronic Rat Traps
If you’d rather not let them live but not get your hands dirty, then electronic rat traps should be it. Electronic rat traps work by luring the rodents to a metal plate with food and baits. The rodent gets electrocuted immediately after touching the plate, making it a humane way of killing them. These traps are usually powered by a battery, enabling outdoor usage if needed.
Rodent Deterring Plants
Some plants are great at deterring rodents from yards and homes. These include mint, spearmint, balsam fir, rosemary and more. You can extract oils from some of them to spread them around the home’s exterior. Spreading cayenne pepper, cloves or black pepper can also help.
Call Pest Control
Calling a Residential Pest Control Service in Vero Beach is the most definite solution to get rid of rats. Pest management specialists have the tools, equipment and pesticides needed for the task. They can identify the infestation and entry points and solve the issue.
When hiring pest control services, make sure that they are licensed and certified. Also, ask about the type of pesticides they use to ensure that the treatment will be safe and effective.
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