Facility and Risk Management Tips presented by www.solidrockfacilitymanagers.com
How to get rid of rodents at your homes and offices.
Rats have lived near people since humanity established the first cities and thrived alongside human civilization ever since. While each continent has its native rodent species, global trade and migration have spread various rat species worldwide. That’s fine when they stay in nature but once rats invade your homes, yards and offices, they become destructive pests.
Rodents very curious and very food-motivated,” says Kolawole Dada, the Environmental Health Programs Specialist and Managing Partner at Solid Rock Maintenance and Continental Services Ltd. He future adds “They are not easily driven off.”
If you have rodents in your homes and offices, you need to find a way to keep them out. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rodents directly and indirectly spread diseases to humans through urine, feces, saliva and ticks. Kolawole Dada further adds “Living with mice isn’t just unsettling, it can make your homes and offices less healthy,”
To get rid of rodents, you must first make your home uninviting by removing food and water sources and sealing entry points. Then, use snap traps with bait like peanut butter, or deploy humane live traps, and place them along suspected rodent runways. For persistent or severe infestations, contact a professional pest control company.
Below are some easy steps in getting rid of rodents from your homes and offices:
1. Make Your Homes and Offices Uninviting
Remove Food Sources:
Store all human and pet food in sealed, rodent-proof containers. Clean up spills and crumbs immediately. Secure trash cans with tight-fitting lids and remove outdoor pet food overnight.
Eliminate Water Sources:
Fix leaky faucets and pipes. Cover birdbaths and empty outdoor water bowls at night.
Reduce Shelter:
Clear clutter, piles of wood, and overgrown plants from around your home's perimeter. Trim tree branches that touch the house or provide access to the roof.
2. Seal Entry Points
Find and Seal Holes:
Inspect your homes and offices for any cracks, holes, or gaps in walls, floors, and around pipes.
Use Appropriate Materials:
Use caulk for small gaps and consider steel wool or metal mesh for larger holes, as rodents cannot chew through these materials. Cover vents with 6mm (1/4 inch) metal screening.
3. Set Traps
Choose Your Method:
Snap traps are fast and effective. Humane live traps are an option if you plan to release the rodent, though release location is important.
Bait the Traps:
Use high-aroma baits such as peanut butter, hot dogs, or chicken to lure the rodents into the traps.
Placement:
Place traps along walls and in areas where you have seen droppings, gnaw marks, or greasy trails.
4. Think about getting a pet.
A study out of the Scripps Research Institute has found that “rats are hard-wired to feel fear if they smell pheromones from cat urine.” Another academic report noted that the one-two combination of a cat and a dog at home is especially effective at scaring off rodents.
5. Sanitize and Monitor
Clean up:
After removing the rats, clean any contaminated areas to eliminate any remaining odors or signs of activity.
Continue to monitor for signs of rats to quickly address any new activity and prevent reinfestation.
6. Consider Professional Help
When to Call a Pro: If your DIY efforts fail to control the infestation or the problem is severe, contact a pest management professional. They have access to more effective tools and expertise for rodent eradication. At Solid Rock, we have developed effective methodologies and best practice to eradicate rodents from your homes and offices.
At Solid Rock Maintenance and Continental Services Ltd, we’ve helped customers protect their property and families from invasive pests. Our attention to detail and knowledge produce great results every time.
At Solid, we are behind your business success www.solidrockfacilitymanagers.com