The Dos and Don'ts of DIY Rodent Removal: Tips from the Experts
Are you concerned that rodents may be roaming around your attic or scurrying around your home at night? The thought of this possibility is terrifying for many homeowners.
No one wants to think about this unsettling possibility, but if you see the signs, it’s important to act right away. Rodents carry germs and bacteria and pose a health threat to humans.
So, if you’re considering DIY rodent removal, it’s important to do it properly.
Let’s take a look at some dos and don’ts for eliminating rodents yourself and when a professional extermination service may be a better option.
Rodents in Your Home
There are two common species of rodents that can invade your home. Mice are fast-moving and can easily hide in the various nooks and crannies of your indoor and outdoor spaces.
Rats are larger than mice and have a muscular build. They’re more aggressive invaders.
Both species of pests will get into your home, find food, and cause damage. Rodents leave their waste behind, and this can spread disease to your family and pets.
Rodents are prolific breeders. A female rat can give birth to up to five litters per year with an average litter of seven babies.
If rodents are in your home for any length of time, they can reproduce and quickly overwhelm your space. That’s why it’s so important to rid your home of these pests as soon as possible after detecting their presence.
Detecting Rodent Intrusions
Every type of vermin leaves behind tell-tale signs of their presence. If you think you might have a rodent problem in your home, here are some signs to look for:
Waste
Rodents leave their feces behind wherever they go. It has the width and appearance of a piece of pencil graphite. You may see feces droppings in your cupboards, pantry, or kitchen floor.
Drywall Debris
Rodents are destructive and often chew through drywall, plastic, and other home materials. If you see bits of drywall or dusty particles on the floor, rodents may be the culprit. Look for small holes under cabinets or in the walls.
Noises
You can hear rodents scurrying about in your walls or attic. They make noises like scratches and squeaks as they move around. If you’re hearing these types of sounds, it’s time to investigate.
Common Methods of Rodent Removal
The most common DIY solution for pest control is a mousetrap. The basic design is over 100 years old, and it’s pretty effective.
Most traps have a wooden base and a pressure plate. The plate serves to trigger a bar that snaps quickly to trap and kill the rodent. Some tips for using a mousetrap include:
Placement
Typically, rodents run alongside walls to avoid detection. The best place for traps is along a hallway wall or under your kitchen counter.
Correct Sizing
Rats are larger than mice and require larger traps. A small mouse can avoid capture with a large trap or it may snap over their tail only.
Larger rodents can often break away from smaller traps without harm. If you know what type of rodents you’re dealing with, be sure to buy the right size traps.
Safety
With a traditional mousetrap, you don’t have to use bait. In fact, setting bait can be dangerous. You could set the trap off and injure your fingers in the process.
Pitfalls of DIY Rodent Removal
Unless you’re properly trained, getting rid of a rodent problem can get complicated. There are a few common mistakes that homeowners often make.
Despite your good intentions, you could actually make the problem worse. Try to avoid these pitfalls for best results.
Using Poisons
Rats are especially hardy creatures. They can often withstand exposure to poisons for long periods of time.
If you put out toxic materials, they may eat it and not die, or they may take it back to their hole and die there.
Finding a decomposing rat can be tricky. It also smells horrible and can be a hazard to your health.
Catch and Release
Some traps are considered to be humane. That means they trap rodents but do not kill them.
The goal is to release the rodent outside. The problem is they will often go back to your home, entering the same way they did before.
Failure to Isolate
If you find a rodent in your kitchen or another area of your home but nowhere else, you want to try to isolate them.
You can try closing the doors of the room or using baby or pet barriers to try to keep them from escaping as you set up traps.
Rodents are fast and elusive, so this tactic doesn’t always work. The goal is to keep them from scurrying around your home spreading potential pathogens as they go.
Hiring a Professional Extermination Service
Although you may want to try DIY rodent removal, the best chance for ridding your home of these unwelcome pests is with professional exterminators.
They understand how these pests live, eat, and hide and can get rid of them thoroughly and completely. They know where to find their nests and how to set bait and traps that really work.
The pest control pros can offer you peace of mind knowing they can take care of your rodent issue and provide a permanent solution to the problem. You will breathe easier knowing these unwanted pests are out of your home once and for all.
Get Professional Rodent Removal Services
The thought of disgusting rodents scurrying around your home is truly terrifying. No one wants to discover they have these unwelcome invaders.
The truth is rodents can enter anyone’s home. It’s important to know the signs so you can get rid of these pests before they damage your home or spread germs and bacteria everywhere they roam.
Since 2003, All “U” Need Pest Control has been providing Florida residents with top-quality pest control. If you have a pest problem and need rodent removal or pest control services, we’re here to help.
We provide excellent customer service and top-notch pest control services.
Connect with us today to discuss your pest control needs.