Pest Control for Rats and Mice

Keeping rodents out of your home is important for many reasons. In addition to raiding your pantry and leaving droppings behind, rats and mice can also spread various diseases to you or your pets. Luckily, there are many ways to protect yourself from a rodent infestation.

Keep Your Home Sealed

It’s very easy for rodents to sneak into your home through small holes in walls, doors, crawl spaces, fireplaces, and vents. Properly sealing your home will reduce your risk of rodents getting in. Smaller holes can be filled with caulk and/or steel wool. Larger holes and cracks can be filled with cement, gardening cloth, metal sheets, and plastic weather strips. Rats and mice can also burrow in through your roof or foundation, so check for holes and leaks regularly and hire a professional to patch holes if needed.

Proper Home Sanitation

Rats and mice will sneak into your home in search of food. As a result, infestations tend to be more likely in homes with poor sanitation and food storage. Here are a few helpful tips to keep your home clean and reduce the risk of an infestation.

• Put food away in sealed containers.
• Clean dirty dishes and pet food bowls often.
• Keep bird feeders at a safe distance from your home.
• Properly store your trash and recycling bins.
• Sanitize indoor trash bins often.

Setting Traps

If you see evidence of a rat or mouse in your home, seal all possible entryways and start placing snap traps around your home immediately. Most rodents tend to stay out of sight as much as they can so try placing traps inside pantries, cabinets, underneath appliances or along the wall for the best results. While traps can be successful for dealing with one or two rodents, professional help is the best and safest way to handle a bigger infestation.

Hire a Professional

If your rodent infestation is getting worse and traps aren’t helping, it may be time to hire a professional. The experts at Orange Environmental Services in Jacksonville will know exactly how to help. They can point out possible entry holes and help you determine the best course of action to eliminate rodents, either through traps or extermination. Protect your home and family from rats and mice by contacting us today for a free estimate!