Urban growth along with other factors, such as forest fires, have led to the growth of wildlife encounters with humans. In the forest, a wildlife sighting is exciting, seeing one in your yard or your home is another matter altogether.
Rats and mice are a part of this population, although these rodents are known for their domestic incursions. Wildlife control deals with rats, mice, squirrels, opossums, and raccoons. Rodents are destructive animals. In fact, the U.S. Center for Disease Control estimate that these rats and mice are the vectors of over 35 diseases globally.
Do You Need Wildlife Control?
Some homeowners take matters into their own hands when it comes to incursions of wildlife. These are the DIY type. But is this the best way to go? Often, the time and money spent by a homeowner trying to control a rat infestation, for example, himself is simply not worth it in the long run. Why learn by hook or by crook, when wildlife control professionals can take care of your rodent problem?
Preparation for Wildlife Control
Before you have a wildlife, pest, or rodent control operator visit your home to take care of your rodent problem, there are steps you can take to prepare. Listed below are 5 steps to take before a pest control professional comes to your home.
- Package all of your food. Make sure that your foodstuffs are in the refrigerator, freezer, or in air-tight containers. This includes dry foods, such as chips, candy, nuts, bread, grains, and pet food. This will both make it easier for your wildlife control technician to service and it will aid in future rodent prevention.
- Clean. Take the time to sweep, dust, and clean your house, especially any areas that the technician may treat. Attics and sub-areas are often places the technician will visit to inspect and to treat. You do not have to clean these areas per se, but you should move items blocking or hindering the entrances to these areas.
- Get rid of extra storage items. If you have unused boxes, containers, or bins, especially if they are made of cardboard or wood, you should discard these items. Rodents infest these areas in order to nest and store food.
- Rodents can gnaw through many natural fibers and materials. They have even been known to eat through industrial grade plastic. Rats and mice can squeeze through openings as small as ½ inch. And because of this…
- Plug or seal holes and gaps in baseboards, walls, and ceilings, and underneath doorways. The next step is not preparatory, but it has been included as a matter of importance.
Do not disturb traps and rodent boxes that your pest control technician has placed. They are there for a reason and he will schedule a time for follow up, rodent removal and so that traps and bait boxes reset and refilled.
Call a rodent control service today, so that you can schedule a free estimate. Once the rodent problem is managed, your house can be home sweet home once again.
