Rat & Mice Removal

Why should we control rodents?

Because of their constant need to bite and gnaw at things, rodents frequently chew through insulation, wiring, and piping. This drives up heating costs, leads to fires, and causes water damage.

Rats and mice also carry dozens of different diseases, including salmonellosis, E. coli, leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, and the hantavirus. These animals also carry parasites like ticks and mites. All of which can affect the people in the area.

How To Detect Rodents?

It can sometimes be hard to find rodents in the building, especially because of their small size. Yet there are certain clues that you can look out for.

Rats and mice are nocturnal, so you’ll often hear squeaks or other noises at night. If you hear sounds when it’s dark outside, then you may have rodents in the building.

Chew and scratch marks are another clear sign of a rodent infestation. This often appears on food packaging or on floors. You might also find shredded paper and fabric. These signs are the result of rodents gathering food and nesting material.

Rodents also frequently leave behind their dark, rice-shaped droppings. If you find any, you should immediately call a professional to solve the problem.

If the building has pets, then they can also indicate the presence of rodents. A cat or dog may show a sudden interest in a certain part of the building or they may make noises at night. This is a good sign that they’ve found something you haven’t.

How To Remove Rodents?

Rodent removal can be a difficult process. There is no single solution that addresses all problems, which is why Red Rover Rodent Control offers custom solutions to address your unique situation.

Some common techniques are listed below.

1. Repellents

Rodents have a very sensitive sense of smell, so a common home remedy involves using strong-smelling substances to irritate and repel these animals. These may include peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, vinegar, and cloves.

You could also try to irritate the animals’ other senses with ultrasonic devices or bright lights.

Unfortunately, these repellents are rarely effective. They do not get rid of a large population and are only a temporary solution at best.

2. Traps

Traps are one of the better ways of removing rodents. Some common trap types include:

• Snap Trap: These are cheap and effective. You can place a large number of them near the infestation site, and they will quickly help solve the problem. They can also be reused.
• Glue Traps: Glue traps can only be used once, and they are considered to be very inhumane. Once the rodent gets stuck, they will die of thirst and starvation. It is recommended that you avoid these types of traps.
• Live Traps: These are some of the most humane types of traps. They are big and can be reused. Once they capture a rodent, you can relocate them at least a mile away from your home.
• Electric Traps: These have a similar idea to snap traps, but they use a different mechanism. The idea is to quickly kill the animals to reduce their pain. Electric traps do this using a quick electric shock. Like snap traps, they can be reused. But unlike them, they can be more expensive.

When you place traps, there are certain things you can do to improve the results.

• Wear Gloves: Rodents have a great sense of smell, so they can tell if a new object was handled by people. This makes them distrust traps, making the devices less effective. You can avoid this problem by wearing gloves when you are setting up the trap.
• Place Bait: A great way to incentivize rodents to trigger a trap is with bait. These animals love peanut butter and apples, so you can use those.
• Choose Location: Placing your traps in the right areas can make them much more effective. Ideally, you want your traps to be close to the nest and near a wall. This way, the rats and mice are more likely to stumble upon them.

3. Poison

Poison is a popular method for removing rodents from a building. This often involves bait stations that feed rodents poisoned food.

Using poison to remove rodents is a difficult process, and it is recommended you call professionals. In many areas, it requires a license. If done poorly, poison is also ineffective and will result in dead rodents on your walls — which can then attract other pests.

How To Prevent Rodents?

Rodent prevention is very important. Without it, other wildlife will quickly replace any rats and mice that you remove.

1. Seal Entries

Rodents are small animals that can get through the tiniest of openings. That is why it is crucial to scour the building and close off any entries you see. These include small cracks, damaged pipes, and open vents.

2. Remove Pet Food

Pet food can attract wildlife, so it is crucial that you feed your animals indoors to prevent the smell from attracting wildlife. You should also immediately clean up after feeding your pets to further reduce the scent.

3. Secure Garbage Cans

Like pet food, the scent of garbage can attract rodents to your home. That is why you should secure your garbage cans with a tight lid. This prevents the smell from escaping and it also stops the rodents from gaining access to this food.

4. Trim Plants

The plants in your garden provide rodents with a lot of covers. They feel hidden and safe in foliage. You can remove this foliage to make the rodents insecure and to make it less likely that they enter the building.

Make sure you frequently mow the lawn and keep the grass short. You should also trim nearby bushes and trees.

Call Red Rover Rodent Removal

Rodent control is a difficult and time-consuming process, so you should contact a professional to solve the problem for you.

Here at Red Rover Rodent Removal, we have over 15 years of experience and pride ourselves on our effective rodent control techniques. We know each business or home is different, so we offer a customized solution to address your needs.

Our services are available throughout the Dallas – Fort Worth area, so call us at (214) 471-5002‬‬ to schedule a free inspection.