FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

RODENT CONTROL

How do professionals remove rats?

The first step involves clearing out the rodents by de-scenting, decontaminating, and finally destroying. Finding and de-scenting is crucial to combating your rodent problem because once the scent is eliminated the rats will have no one place to congregate. Most professionals will use rat poison or rat traps to catch and kill the actual rats that are within your home. What makes professionals crucially different from homemade solutions to your rodent problem is rat proofing your home. Finding out how the rodents are coming into your home and then closing these entrances, is the most important step in how professionals remove rats from your home.



What's the difference between rat & mice infestation?

There are 3 main differences between a rat & mice infestation: 1. Droppings - rats tend to have much larger droppings than mice, making them a little easier to identify straight out. 2. Behavior - rats are typically very cautious, which is why you may not know of their presence for a long time, whereas mice are very curious and therefore likely to scope out anything new in your home. 3. Breeding - Mice breed very quickly, so it is easier to have an infestation of these pests than with rats. Rats primarily breed in the spring, making this the prime time to put a stop to an infestation.



How to know if you have a rodent in your house?

Some signs that you have a rodent may include: - Sounds of scampering, scraping, or clawing in the attic. - Chew marks on furniture, clothes, and food products. - Distinct droppings: most rat feces resemble a raisin in color, shape, and size. It will be dispersed throughout the house, and not left in piles or trails. - Brown, dirty, or greasy pathways where the rat has been running.



What does an exterminator’s process look like?

Getting rid of rats and mice from your home is a two-pronged process. Before the exterminator process, a professional will ask you a series of questions to properly prepare for their visit to your home. Once the exterminator arrives they will inspect your home to determine where the rats are and determine what kind of damage they have done. After, they will quote you for the job and begin work.



What attracts rats to your house?

The main two things that can attract mice and rats to your house are food and shelter. If you don't tidy up properly food waste on the floor, rodents are going to love it! Rats and mice also need shelter, particularly during winter, to get rid of the cold



How long does rat extermination take?

It generally takes roughly 3 days to one week to get rid of rats and rodents.



What are rats afraid of?

Peppermint Oil – Place peppermint oil around the home to keep them away



ATTIC CARE & INSULATION

How do mice get in the attic?

A few of the most common ways mice can get into your attic are:
1. Holes - the minuscule creatures only need a hole about ¼ of an inch big to gain entry to your home meaning that any hole the size of a dime or larger can create a direct path for mice to gain entrance.
2. Climbers - Whether it’s through cavities in your walls or even just on the brickwork outside, they’re natural inclination is to progress upward. This lands them up near your roof, where all they need then is an access point.
3. Warmth & Shelter - Housing and warmth are the obvious reasons why mice congregate in attic spaces, but you should also be keen to the fact that mice will be trying to build their nests there. Newspapers, clothes, and other rubbish are perfect for the job. Meaning, what most people keep in their attics.



What is attic condensation and how to prevent it in winter?

The primary cause of attic condensation is moisture that is transported from the heated portion of the home into your unheated attic during the winter. Condensation can cause your attic rafters and other wood features to rot and cause mold to grow. If moisture accumulates over time, water can drip through the attic floor and into the rooms below. Attic insulation is vital to preventing attic condensation. If you already have insulation, make sure that attic condensation has not damaged it and that you have an adequate amount of insulation.



How much does it cost to insulate an attic?

If you’re planning on living in a house long-term, proper insulation is a wonderful investment. By purchasing the following products - foam, cellulose, fiberglass, radiant/reflective barriers - it will cost you at an average of $1,075, if you do the job yourself. Since some of these products are toxic to the touch, and could lead to health problems when not handled properly, we highly recommend using a professional service. The cost varies, depending on what you want to insulate - walls, attics, garages - and how many square feet need to be insulated.



How often should I clean my attic?

The months that you should be cleaning your attic are late October to the beginning of December, and late in March to the beginning of April. These are the months that it is cool but warm enough to clean these animals out without fear of them trying to weasel their way back in.



Can I insulate the attic myself?

Insulating Your Attic Can Save You Money.But if you've got an unfinished attic, giving it proper insulation is one of the simplest ways to keep a lid on your heating bill this season. That is why it is reccommended to hire professionals to provide you with maximum savings.



Should you remove old attic insulation before adding new?

Almost all of the time, you do not have to remove previously added attic insulation, unless it is wet.



Can you lay insulation over electrical wires in attic?

Yes. You can lay insulation over electrical wires, moreover around the junction boxes as well.



HEALTH HAZARDS

Why is natural rat deterrent better than traditional?

Natural rat deterrent has several benefits over other traditional methods: - There is little odor, no ammonia smells or harsh airborne chemicals. - It is non-staining, so your furniture and flooring will not be compromised. - Natural pest control of rats is safer for children and pets. - This method is less irritating for people with asthma, allergies, and respiratory challenges. - It is organic and environmentally-friendly.



What diseases do mice or rodents carry?

There are disease concerns with both wild (rats, mice) and pet (rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs) rodents and rabbits. They can carry many diseases including hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), Tularemia and Salmonella. Wild rodents also may cause considerable property damage by chewing through wiring in homes, car engines, and other places.



What to do if I smell unexpected foul odors at home?

Household pests such as mice, rats and other rodents can leave foul odors in your attic and throughout your home. Not only do they leave noxious dropping and urine residue around your house, but when the rodents themselves die the decay process can create intense odor that lingers far after the carcass has been removed. Our rodent control experts have immense experience removing foul odors from the home.



Is animal waste dangerous?

If a colony of bats, flock of birds or a family of squirrels, rats, raccoons or other animals takes up your residence building, their droppings will accumulate and create a health risk for anyone who enters the area and disturb the material. The best way to prevent exposure to animal disease is to avoid situations where material that might be contaminated can become airborne and subsequently inhaled.