Getting rid of rodents isn't always easy. Mice and rats are smart animals, and they're good at hiding. Plus, the methods used to exterminate them aren't pleasant to use. A rodent control company is a big help when you have a problem with mice or rats since professionals understand rodent behavior and they can do things to eliminate the pests that you might not be able to do yourself. Here are some unpleasant aspects of rodent control that you may need help with.
Examine The Attic For Rats
Rodents like to live in attics since people rarely go up there, and they have easy access once they've chewed a hole in the soffit or fascia boards to get in. If you've heard scratching and squeaking coming from the attic, you may not be too enthused about the idea of going up there to look for rodents and their nests. The pest control company will probably check your attic as part of their assessment for rodent activity on your property.
With the experience a pest control professional has, they can verify if rats have been in the attic or if you have a squirrel or other problem. They may even identify the type of rat you have by looking at the shape of the droppings even if no rats are seen during the inspection. The droppings also indicate how bad the infestation is.
Climb Ladders To Look For Entry Holes
Finding out how the pests get in your house is an essential part of rodent control because rats and mice will keep coming back until the holes are plugged up. Rats make it easy to find their holes since they usually leave a dark, greasy trail they always follow. However, locating these trails and holes might require using a ladder to look closely at the roof or fascia boards, and you might feel uncomfortable doing that. Plus, you might not know all the likely places rats like to enter such as gaps around siding, vents, and damaged roofing areas.
A rodent control company can identify where rats or mice are getting inside and make recommendations for closing these gaps. If the company provides exclusion services, they may cover the holes as part of their pest treatment. Closing the holes requires the use of metal, so the rodents are discouraged from chewing their way through again.
Launch A Trapping Plan
Setting and emptying traps are the worst parts about dealing with a rodent infestation. However, traps are an effective and essential way to clear the rodents out of your house. An exterminator can set traps in your attic and other prime areas and then come back the next day to check them. Setting traps for smart rodents can be tricky. They have to be placed just right and sufficient traps have to be used so that the rats or mice are wiped out fast.
One other thing to keep in mind is that your attic might be contaminated after it's been infested with rodents. There will be droppings and urine stains in the attic along with a foul odor. There might be dead rodents in the attic, and there could be damage to wiring and insulation. Cleaning up after a rodent infestation is just as important as getting rid of the rodents. Your pest control company may provide this service, but if not, you'll want to hire a professional to get rid of the rodent contamination so that your attic is safe to enter and use.
Share