No matter where you are in the US, you’ve most likely faced some rodent-related issues, so you want to find out the most effective rodent control methods. Whether they’ve made themselves at home in your attic, garden, or garage, you’ll need to learn how you can get rid of them, as well as ensure that they don’t come back any time soon.
There are several rodent control methods, from rodent-proofing your house, to using rodent traps to get rid of them. Some of these, while effective, aren’t the best ones, like using rodenticide or glue traps.
So, today, we’ll look at the most effective and humane methods for rodent control and when it’s best to call your local contractor for rodent control services. But first, let’s take a stroll down the DIY path.
Understanding What Rodents Need – Rodent Proofing Your House
The most effective rodent control method is making your house as uninviting to them as possible. To do so, you’ll need to understand what rodents seek and how your house might be a vulnerable target for them.
Food
While rodents aren’t big eaters, per se, they’ll still be attracted to areas with an abundance of their favorite food sources. So, to rodent-proof your house, you must ensure they have no access to any food, in general.
For starters, store any dry food in containers and place them out of sight, preferably in cupboards or drawers. Also, keep any bird feeders you have as far away from your house as possible, and remember to clean up after your pets have eaten if they eat outside.
Water
As with every organism, rodents need water to survive, albeit small amounts of it. And they’re not picky with it either; dirty, muddy water is still pretty drinkable for them.
While you can’t really remove all water sources from your house, make sure that none of them is leaking. Also, check your yard for any leaking pipes, and keep an eye out for any rodents when your automatic irrigation system is running.
Shelter
Shelter is a big one, as most rodents initially look for a safe place to nest before anything else. In turn, you need to make your house impenetrable and, overall, unattractive to them.
So, check for potential entry points, like small holes in your roof or garage door, and fill them with some steel wool or cement. Additionally, trim branches overhanging your roof and keep any bushes in your yard in good shape.
Why Should You Get Rid Of Rodents in Your House
Many homeowners have told us how just a couple of rodents turned into an uncontrollable infestation. Still, a lot of folks don’t know how dangerous rodents can be, and they find them incredibly cute to get rid of. This is not a great idea, as we’ll cover below.
They Can Cause Serious Damage
Whether it’s rats or squirrels, all rodents will eventually cause some significant damage in your house, yard, or even your car. From electrical problems to spreading deadly diseases, rodents can destroy big chunks of your property.
That’s because they all gnaw by nature. So, they chew on everything they can, even if that is your electrical wires.
They Carry Some Deadly Diseases
As we just mentioned, rodents can carry some diseases that are deadly to humans and pets. Some of these include the Hantavirus, Tularemia, and many more.
While not all are carriers of these, it’s not worth taking the risk and putting yourself and your family in danger.
The Most Effective Rodent Control Methods
Ultimately, even if you take all the steps we mentioned above, there’s a chance you’ll have to deal with rodents hands-on. In such a case, you’ll need to employ some more effective rodent control methods, like the ones we’ve included below.
Rodent Traps
Rodent traps are arguably the best way to get rid of rodents fast. Most mice and rats, albeit intelligent, will usually fall for your traps if they have no other food source.
These traps can range from the classic snap traps, which, when triggered, kill the rodent instantly or make them unable to move. Then, there are live traps that work in a similar way, but they keep the rodent alive so that you can relocate it elsewhere.
There are also glue traps, which make the little critters stick to them, leading to their death from dehydration or starvation. We don’t recommend these, as they are inhumane and a mess to clear up.
Natural Repellants
Even though natural repellants are more of a rodent-proofing method, they are a great way to make your house unattractive when you’re dealing with an infestation.
In general, rodents hate pungent smells, like peppermint oil or chili oil and pepper. You can add these around your yard, and they’ll act as a “shield” against most rodents.
Poison Bait Stations
Though we don’t recommend these, bait stations are an effective way to get rid of rodents. These are very similar to live traps in the sense that they don’t immobilize the critters. But, once one of them nibbles on the poisoned bait, they’ll die a couple of days afterward.
Professional Rodent Control Services
If all else fails, you’ll need to get a professional team to sort the infestation out. The contractors are very experienced in dealing with all kinds of rodent infestations, so they’ll be able to help you out and rodentproof your home.
Best Rodent Control Near You, Done the Green Way
Dealing with rodents is something that every homeowner has to face at some point. As long as you keep your house tidy, the issue will be of a much lower caliber. Regardless, if you need to get the professionals aboard, look no further than us.
At Green Rodent Restoration, we have the experience and the means to deal with the largest of rodent infestations, the green way. Contact us now for a free estimate!
