Rodent Prevention & Control
A rat is a small mammal in the rodent family. They range in size, weight, and variety of different colors. Rodents are found in almost every part of this planet and provide a wide variety of benefits. First they provide food to multiple other mammals across this earth including residents of the Philippines, Thailand, and China. Rodents also give back to the planet by spreading seeds and reforesting areas. Since rodents are omnivores they consume seeds and spread them across areas re-planting the landscapes around them. So how can something this beneficial scare us?
Well it all dates back to the 13th century. We as humans encountered our most devastating pandemic in history wiping out 150 million people...That’s half of the United States current population (Insane right!). Well as advancements in technology continued, we were able to better understand that the rats were just carriers and the real killers were mites (Yersinia Pestis). If that wasn’t enough to scare us it was later discovered that rodents have the potential of transmitting dieses if they bite or scratch you such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), which is a viral infectious disease, salmonellosis, or even rat-bite fever. Their urine is known to spread leptospirosis, which may lead to liver and kidney damage. Not only that, but rats are also a potential cause of allergens. Their dander, hair, and droppings may cause allergic reactions in some people. Now add the final topping Hollywood! Just like the movie Jaws scared most of us from going in the water, Hollywood has dished out its own version for rats.
Compile all of this together and you have an excuse to be afraid of rats, or do we?
I have always felt that understating animals and how they operate as a society can give us a better way to reduce our fears. First rodents, like any other animal, fear you just as much as you fear them. They have spent hundreds and thousands of years adapting to an ever-changing environment. What was once a forest is now a concrete jungle and seeking shelter in trees is now substituted with seeking shelter in homes. Do you think a rat understands that your home is off limits? Did you hang up a sign in “Ratish” saying “Keep out”?
Your home whether you like it or not is part of the natural environment. Rodents that once sought shelter from predators in trees are now hiding in your homes. Your home is more than a house; it’s an addition to the nearby ecosystem. As an addition to the ecosystem it is your responsibility as a homeowner to play by the rules. We invest hundreds of dollars a year in “Grande Americanos with two Sugars” but fail to invest in our own homes. Our homes if left unattended can create homes for other guest (remember your part of an eco-system and caring is sharing). Animals, including rodents, are in your home because somewhere along the line someone left a door open and put a welcome home mat out front.
I want you to reach into your pocket or find your change drawer. I want you to hold a quarter in your hand. Now imagine squeezing though something that small, sounds impossible right?! Even Tom Cruise wouldn’t take that mission! Well rats can fit though it effortlessly. As long as a rat can fit its head in a hole it is capable of squeezing the rest of his body through it.
Insane Right?! Well when you live in an eco-system that has a lot of predators you learn very quickly how to survive. Unfortunately for you the homeowner, this means you are now sharing a home with some guests that have no interest in paying a mortgage. At first, they are just curious exploring this strange new world called an attic. They quickly come to the realization that they are safe and not only that this world has some benefits like this fluffy pink stuff they call insulation; turns out you can make some nice nests out of it! Once your home becomes theirs, they quickly start renovations!
So, what does this all mean to you a homeowner? Well if you let it continue unchecked it will be a matter of time till you start experiencing serious issues, not only material issues but physical issues too. Your electricity bill may seem like it’s got a mind of its own, with each hole made by the rats your AC will now be cooling off your attic. Other symptoms can include random water leaks caused by rats chewing on the condensation lines of your AC...or even worse you remember that hole that was the size of a quarter, well its grown now from chewing. You could experience water intrusion from heavy rains. If the problem is serious enough you could start to develop respiratory issues due to the continued exposure of rodent feces and urine, at this point you are now hurting yourself.
What can we do to stop this?! Well unfortunately there is no stopping nature, BUT we can control it. First start off by investing some money back into your house, sounds expensive but it’s not. It gets expensive when you let problems continue unchecked, problems compile overtime when they are ignored.
The most effective rat control begins with prevention. Trash should be disposed of properly, and sanitary conditions should be maintained. Both human and pet food is an incentive for rodents and should be kept in tightly sealed airtight containers. Any standing water or moisture leaks should be addressed and/or repaired ASAP. Wood piles and other rodent shelter sites such overgrown weedy areas should be eliminated. In order to address an existing rat population, it is necessary to identify and eliminate their feeding, drinking and dwelling sites. Seal all possible entry points against rodent entry, such as sewers and air vents.
Repair or replace damaged ventilation screen around the foundation and under the eaves; Provide a tight-fitting cover for the crawl space; Seal all openings around pipes, cables, and wires that enter through walls or the foundation; Be sure all windows that can be opened are screened and that the screens are in good condition;
Since rats often enter by climbing trees and coming through broken screens or vents make sure internal screens on roof and attic air vents are in good repair; Cover rooftop plumbing vent pipes in excess of 2 inches in diameter with screens over their tops; and Make sure all exterior doors are tight fitting and weatherproofed at the bottom. Trim back any trees or plants that are touching your home. We understand that you may think that Oak tree next to your home looks good but it’s a bridge to get on the roof. We recommended no plants should overhang your house or should be touching your home.
Lastly population control, this is where we come in. Although rodenticide baits are commercially available, they are potentially harmful to humans and pets if not used correctly. When toxic baits are used, rats can die in hard to reach locations such as within walls or ceilings. The stench of a decomposing rat can be unbearable and can impose cutting a hole in the wall to remove the carcass. This happens a lot when homeowners go to the store, buys D-Con and throws it everywhere in their attic. Just remember cutting a hole in the wall will cost you a lot more then that pack of D-Con. If rats are in your attic its best to let us handle it. We have been in business for 30 years and have learned a lot about rats and we have the tools and knowledge that makes controlling rodents more manageable. Not to mention reducing the risk of unnecessary poisoning.
For communities that want to take a proactive approach we recommend installing population control measures. By doing so we can quickly bring rodent populations down, which means your risk of experiencing rodents in your home is lowered. We still encourage you to maintain your home and reduce your risk even lower. You’re probably wondering how population controls are achieved, well it’s done by large scale baiting and rotating our poisons active ingredient. We strategically install the stations where we feel they will make the largest impacts. The way they work is by poisoning rodents that eat the bait inside. The stations are Tamper-Resistant for Kids & Dogs: The station can only be accessed once it has been opened with a special key.
The rat boxes have ramped entries & baffles that keep bait and traps out of reach of children and non-target wildlife for peace of mind. It’s important to understand that they are not magnets they don’t magically attract rats to them. It’s best to think of them like Starbucks. Eventually you will walk past one and you will want your Grande Americanos with two Sugars. The second myth we get all the time is they die in the boxes. This is not true, the poison they eat causes them to have a thirst sensation and they will leave the box in search of water, it is extremely rare that they die in the box.
We have several large communities that have chosen to implement this method of rodent control for several reasons. The largest being the reduction of an active rodent population. The second being peace of mind, knowing that you have chosen a great company to maintain the boxes. These programs fail when left unattended, our expert staff and record keeping ensures that each box is receiving excellent attention.
With this being said, I hope you learned a thing or two about rodents. We look forward to working with you and your community to achieve your desired results and lower your currently high rodent population.