Rodents
Pro Prevent: Preventing Rodent Infestations
Rodent infestations can quickly turn into a nightmare for homeowners, causing property damage and potentially spreading diseases. According to the CDC, the best way to prevent a rodent infestation is to remove food sources, water, and items that provide shelter for rodents.
Identifying Common Rodent Entry Points
Mice and rats can enter homes through a variety of entry points, often as small as a dime. Common exterior entry points include gaps in siding, weep holes in brick, openings around plumbing pipes, cable and gas lines, and dryer vents. Inside, check for gaps around windows, exterior doors, floor vents, and plumbing under sinks. In kitchens, look inside and behind cabinets and appliances. Bathrooms and laundry rooms are also prone to entry points from pipes and vents. Attics may have openings near roof rafters, eaves, and vents. Signs of active entry points include rodent droppings, gnaw marks on wood, and tracks. Sealing entry points with steel wool, aluminum mesh, caulking, wood putty, sheet metal, and cement can help prevent further infestation.
Effective Trapping Techniques
Effective trapping techniques for rodents include using live traps, box traps, and snap traps. Live traps allow for safe capture and relocation of rodents. Box traps rely on the rodent’s curiosity to enter and reach the bait, causing the door to close. Snap traps provide a quick kill when triggered. Proper bait selection is crucial for success. Peanut butter, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit are attractive to rodents. Bait should be securely attached to the trap’s trigger. Trap placement is also key—set traps along walls, behind objects, and in dark corners where rodents travel. Experts recommend setting many traps at once to quickly control the population.
Health Risks and Safety Precautions
Rodent infestations pose serious health risks, as mice and rats can carry and transmit over 35 diseases to humans. The most dangerous of these is Hantavirus, which can be spread through inhalation of aerosolized particles from infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. Other diseases include Leptospirosis, Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, Plague, and Typhus. Rodent droppings can contaminate food and air, and if disturbed, can allow diseases to become airborne, increasing the risk of infection. Rodent bites can also transmit diseases. It is crucial to handle rodent infestations and droppings with extreme caution, and contact professional decontamination services to safely remove them and reduce exposure risks.
Contact Pro Prevent Today
Don’t let a rodent problem escalate into an overwhelming issue. Protect your home and your family’s health by acting swiftly. Contact Pro Prevent today for professional rodent control services. Our expert team will identify entry points, safely remove existing rodents, and implement effective preventative measures to ensure your home stays rodent-free. Reach out now to schedule an inspection or learn more about our comprehensive rodent management solutions. Your peace of mind is just a call or click away with Pro Prevent!