That Mouse Isn't as Cute as He Seems: How to Control Rodent Infestations

This article will help you understand the basics of how to control rodent infestations. No one enjoys dealing with a rodent infestation. They're disgusting, they can make you feel uneasy, and like you're living in a filthy place.

You don't just need to know how to get rid of rodents to keep your home looking its best. You also need to eliminate rodents because of the high risk of illness and disease transmission they carry. Responsible rodent control is key.

Read on to learn why you need to handle rodent problems immediately. The benefits of letting a professional take care of the issue, and what you can do to keep these issues at bay in the future.

Before we get into the most effective methods of controlling rodent infestations, let's talk about why it's so important in the first place.

Yes, mice can scratch and gnaw at your furniture and wires. Their squeaking can keep you up at night, and many people are afraid of seeing them scamper across their kitchen floor. But mice are much more than just a nasty nuisance. They're also carriers of serious diseases that can make you, your pets, and your family extremely ill.

Mice can carry Hantaviruses, which can cause your lungs to fill with fluid, makes you feel nauseous and fatigued, and even carries a high mortality rate of 38%. They are also known carriers of Salmonellosis, Rat-Bite Fever, and even the Bubonic Plague (yes, that Bubonic Plague.)

Above all, controlling rodent infestations is importnt for your health. Mice are among the main carriers of the bacteria responsible for the spread of Lyme Disease. Ticks feed off these infected mice and then have no trouble transmitting this horrific disease to humans.

Now that you understand why you should take a mouse infestation seriously, let's talk about your options when it comes to kicking them out of your house for good -- without harming yourself or the environment through the use of harsh chemicals. Below are three areas to consider when controlling rodent infestations.

What's the first thing you need to do stop the spread of Lyme and get a rodent problemunder control? Figure out where and how these creatures are getting into your home.

Often, they'll sneak in through cracks in your walls and floors, or even squeeze in underneath your doors. You'd be quite surprised by the tiny holes mice are capable of getting through.

Mice also get in through your home's foundation, through windows, and through your garage. If they get into your gutters, they'll also be able to get inside through holes in your roof and through the chimney. All of these access points are critical to address to control rodent infestations.

Use steel wool to block any cracks in your wall, or use silicone caulk to fill in any gaps and cracks throughout the house.

Now is also the time to rethink how you dispose of your garbage. Take out your trash as soon as possible, don't leave food sitting out for long periods of time, and always keep your garbage contained outside of the home as much as possible.

Also, avoid leaving out pet food overnight, and ensure that mice can't make the jump from your backyard birdfeeder onto your house. Until the infestation is over, we suggest storing as much of your food as you can in the fridge.

Finally, head outside. You'll need to trim back any flowers, bushes, or trees that could encourage mice to set up shop -- especially if they're close to your home's exterior. Anything that might make a mouse feel at home we want to remove.

If you are not confident in dealing with rodents we suggest that you always call a professional if you spot mice or suspect that your rodent infestation is out of control. While you wait for service, try your best to address the issues in the three steps listed above.

If you're uncertain about how to control rodent infestations or which kind of bait or trap you should use for the specific rodent, it's best to leave things to the professionals.

There are many different types of rodenticides. Anti-coagulants, second gen anti-coagulants, non-anticoagulants, etc. Depending on the location of the infestation, the exterior environment, the local wildlife, are there pets or children close by, etc. are some of the factors to consider. If possible try to refrain from using second gen anti-coagulant rodenticide. These have some of the highest risks of secondary poisoning, which puts pets and wildlife at risk. Using the wrong type of bait isn't just ineffective. It also puts animals you aren't trying to target, like birds, foxes, and even your pets, at risk of secondary poisoning.

Also, if the infestation continues to persist even after you've tried to handle things on your own, a professional can fix things before the situation becomes entirely unmanageable.

An expert will also be much better at finding the true entry points into your home, and ensuring that they're sealed off correctly and completely to prevent new rodent populations from coming inside.

You can also look for exterminators that are committed to using eco-friendly solutions and who understand the complexities of the different rodenticide chemistries. There are far more options than you might think available.

No one likes dealing with a rodent issue in their home. If you want the problem to be gone for good, we strongly suggest you rely on a professional for extermination.

As we mentioned, today's market demands eco-friendly extermination practices. To protect yourself and your family look for those ways to control rodent infestations with responsible solutions.

Need more tips on how to identify and control other household pests? Want additional advice on eco-friendly extermination?

Our website is a great resource for learning how to keep your home pest-freewhile keeping the outside beautiful.

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