How To Eliminate Rat, Mouse, Rodent Pest Problems
The best pest control for rats is to look at reducing the number around the house and on the roof, sealing all opening and weakpoints of the building, trapping extensively for any
rodents sealed inside when the repairs are done, and lastly removing the rodent marking scent from the attic.
1). Landscaping:
No fallen citrus fruits left lying on the ground, no trees resting against the side of the house, and no overgrown cluttering bushes around the house. The first step of getting
rid of a rat problem is to reduce the number on the outside around your house. There will always be rats outside. But the condition of the yard determines whether only occasional rats will pass by or whether rats will consistently be crawling around the house and roof.
When rats are consistently around a house, they will inevitably find their way inside.
The most important factor of landscaping is to make sure all tree branches are 3 feet away from the roof.
2). Inspect the building for openings, and seal all weak points.
All homes have potential openings where rodents can get in. The most common entry points are along the eave, particularly where the soffit corners into the roof.
When rats entered a building, they consistently have to go outside to get food and water.
The most important step in solving a rat or mouse problem is finding and closing off all the entry points into the home.
Entry points should be sealed with steel. Foaming holes will not rat proof the entry point, as they can easily chew through it.
But foaming the entry points and having them chewed open will at least tell you exactly how the rats are getting in.
3). Trap for the rodents sealed inside.
You need the right type of trap, a large number of traps, and the right location to set the trap.
Click here to see Wildlife Patrol's guide to trapping rats.
The key to catching rats is to stop their ability to go outside to get food. The only food for them should be the bait on the traps.
Trapping alone does not solve a rat problem. The building must be secured. Rat re-entry will occur if the entry points are not identified and closed off.
4). Remove the rodent scent
After the building has been sealed and all the rodents removed, the droppings and scent of the animals remains inside the attic. For health, odor, and scent reasons, Wildlife Patrol recommends attic decontamination
services for most homes that have had a significant rat problem. Rats in the attic leave behind a scent that other rats will pick up and leave the attic marked. Attic cleaning is performed by
vacuuming out droppings and nesting material, and then spraying down all insulation and wall wells with Bioshield decontaminant.
|
return to rat control homepage
