When you notice a problem with rats or mice in your home, you first need to know that you have to act fast. That’s the only thing that can ensure they don’t multiply and ultimately wreak havoc on your house. Read on to discover more about the two approaches.
Rat and mice prevention
It is well known that rats and mice breed quickly and carry various diseases. A lack of attention to this problem can result in much more serious issues if not dealt with effectively. There are various ways of keeping these rodents away from your home, and you’ll have to decide if you wish to do it humanely or inhumanely. Taking precautions before dealing with a rat or mouse is the best way to prevent a future pest infestation.
By implementing these measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of having an infestation:
- Keep it clean – Keep your home clean by regularly sweeping and vacuuming the floors, wiping countertops, and cleaning up spills.
- Store the food – Store your food in airtight containers made of glass or metal, and keep pet food sealed as well. Do not leave food lying around t in the open.
- Dispose of your garbage – Don’t leave garbage bags in your house for long. Dispose of the rubbish regularly, and you can even invest in well-sealed garbage bins.
- Check for leaks – Rodents need water to survive, so eliminating their water sources is important in preventing them. Repair any leaks in pipes, faucets, or appliances.
- Remove gutter – Keep your home clutter-free, as it provides hiding places for rodents.
- Tend to your garden – Trim the bushes, mow the lawn, and take care of any other problems to reduce hiding places for rats in the garden.
Rodent proofing
This one might be a no-brainer, but first, you must seal up all holes and entrances from which rodents might try to gain entrance coming into your home.
Check even the smallest gap, as mice can squeeze through the smallest cracks. You can even block up the points of entry using steel wool or metal mesh, as it can be difficult for them to chew through.
However, larger holes will need proper attention to be filled up. It’s important to remember that you should seal the holes only when there are no rodents in the house.
If there are any mice or rats trapped inside the walls, they can die there, leading to awful odors and bacteria.
Humane methods
There are several ways to humanely eliminate rats and mice without causing undue suffering. Below are 4 of the best ones to adopt if you want to solve your rodent problem in this particular fashion.
Live traps
These can be bought in most hardware shops, allowing you to catch the rat or mouse. The rodents can enter the box but cannot escape it.
However, when getting rid of them after they’ve been caught, you must release them at least a mile from your property, as they’ll have an uncanny way of finding themselves back in your home.
Natural repellent
Some natural repellants such as peppermint oil, lavender, and mint can deter rats and mice. Rodents have a very sensitive sense of smell and disturbing it makes them very uncomfortable. Drop some of the oils onto cotton wool balls and place them at the points of entry and in areas you think they would most likely move around.
Ultrasonic devices
These little machines release a loud beeping sound that only rats and mice can hear (it will not affect pets in the house). Although this electronic deterrent might appear expensive initially, it will keep rodents at bay, at least initially. Once they get used to the sounds or get too hungry, you will need other means to deal with them.
Adopt a pet
This sounds like another no-brainer, right? Cats are natural predators of mice and rats, so having one around can help keep the pests away. You can try making your garden more cat-friendly and enjoy the results. The only risk here your cat is a bit lazy and may prefer to sleep rather than hunt.
Most known inhumane methods
While some of these methods may be more commonly used, they are not recommended and should be avoided.
Poison
Using poison is one of the most popular methods of getting a house rid of vermins. The poison causes internal bleeding in the rodents! Poison can cause a slow and painful death to rodents and other animals that may ingest the rat or mouse later.
Glue and snap traps
There are a variety of traps that can be bought. Snap or glue traps are the most popular, while inhumane. They are considered the cruelest because the vermin takes up to 3 days to die. Decide carefully before choosing this option, as you must depose the animal yourself.
Electrocution traps
Electrocution traps use an electric shock to kill rodents. If a mouse or rat enters the chamber of the electric trap in search of food, it delivers a strong electric shock which can be painful and cause unnecessary suffering.
Call pest control
If you already have a rodent infestation and don’t feel like bringing yourself to use any of these methods, humane or otherwise, you might want to consider expert help, such as using mice or rat control services, which will assist you with your problem. A professional company will decide on the most appropriate method depending on the vermin type and how bad your pest infestation is.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, dealing with rodents in your home is a serious matter that requires immediate attention. Prevention is key, and by implementing simple measures such as keeping your home clean and sealing entry points, you can significantly reduce the risk of an infestation.
If you must deal with a rodent problem, humane methods should always be preferred over inhumane ones. If you are overwhelmed by a rodent infestation, seeking professional help from pest control services is always the best option. Remember, dealing with rodents humanely protects the animals and ensures a safer and healthier environment for you and your family.
