If you live in an area where rodents are common, you may wonder, “Why bother with rodent control?” While it is true that rodents can carry diseases, they are also capable of causing a great deal of damage to your home and property. In addition, rodents can be a nuisance, and their presence can make it difficult to enjoy your personal spaces. By taking steps to control the rodent population on your property, you can help to protect your family and your home from these pests.
The risks of rodents
While a few mice in your home may seem harmless, they can actually pose a serious threat to your health, property, and even your mental well-being.
Rodents are known to carry a variety of diseases that can be transmitted to humans, including hantavirus, salmonella, and leptospirosis. They can also cause damage to your home by gnawing on wires and insulation. And if you have an infestation, the noise and fear of being bitten can lead to stress and anxiety.
How to identify a rodent problem
If you think you have a rodent problem, you can do a few things to confirm your suspicions.
- First, check for signs of gnawing. Rodents like to chew on things, so look for chew marks on food packaging or furniture.
- You might also find droppings around your home. Rat droppings are about an inch long and shaped like a capsule, while mouse droppings are smaller and more pellet-like. If you see either of these, you likely have a rodent infestation.
- Another way to tell if you have rodents is by the damage they cause. For example, rodents often gnaw on wiring and insulation, leading to fires in your home. They also like to nest in attics and walls, which can cause structural damage over time.
Prevention: seal up entry points, keep food sealed, declutter
Unfortunately, your home may be just the place pesky rodents are looking for. To keep these pests out, you must do some exclusion and prevention work.
One way to exclude rodents is to install one-way doors. These special doors allow rodents to exit your home but not re-enter. You can also seal up any openings with wire mesh. This will keep rodents from being able to squeeze through tiny cracks and crevices.
The best way to prevent rodents is to seal up any entry points they could use to get into your house. Check for cracks in the foundation or gaps around doors and windows, and seal them with caulk or expanding foam. Mice can also squeeze through tiny openings, so check for any potential holes.
You should also take care to keep food sealed up and avoid leaving crumbs or other food sources out where rodents can find them. Keep counters clean, store food in airtight containers, and sweep up any spills immediately.
Finally, decluttering your home will make it harder for rodents to hide and build nests.
Trapping: snap traps, live traps, electronic traps
Three main types of traps are used to capture rodents – snap traps, live traps, and electronic traps.
Snap traps are the most common type of trap used to capture rodents. They work by latching onto the rodent when it steps on the trigger and then snapping shut to kill the rodent.
Live traps are another type of trap that can be used to capture rodents. These traps work by holding the rodent alive in a cage so that it can be released later.
Electronic traps are the third type of trap that can be used to capture rodents. These traps work by shocking the rodent with an electric current, which kills it instantly.
Baiting: poison vs. non-poisonous baits
There are a few key things to remember when trying to determine whether you should use poison or non-poisonous baits when rodent baiting. First, if you have children or pets in the home, it is important to use non-poisonous baits so that they are not accidentally ingested. Second, poison baits are more likely to result in dead rodents, which can then create an unpleasant odor. Finally, non-poisonous baits allow you to capture the rodent alive so that you can release it outside. In conclusion, if you have a rodent problem, the best course of action is to call Target Pest Control in Salinas. They are experts in dealing with these kinds of pests and will be able to get rid of them quickly and efficiently. Don’t try to tackle the problem yourself – leave it to the professionals!
