How to Stop Your Rodent Problem Before It’s Too Late

Few sights strike fear in the hearts of homeowners like the appearance of a rodent. Your first instinct may be to handle the problem yourself, but rodent control professionals advise against taking the entire matter into your own hands. A single mouse or rat spotting usually signals the existence of multiple rodents in your home or business in the Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA metros, and PestLock warns that cornering these critters can be dangerous.

Rodent Hazards

Rodents pose a threat to your health and safety. Rats and mice spread the following diseases and bacteria, some of which are potentially deadly:

• Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
• Leptospirosis
• Salmonella
• Listeria

The presence of rats, mice, and squirrels also attracts fleas. Fleas carry illnesses ranging from plague to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. In addition, because rodents’ teeth grow throughout their lives, they chew on various materials to prevent overgrowth. This can include cardboard and insulation, which they use for nesting. Unfortunately, electrical wiring is also sometimes on the menu. This is why mice and rats are responsible for many house fires.

Preventing Rodent Infestations

With cardboard and insulation as a building material of choice for mice and rats, avoiding accumulations of boxes and loose insulation in crawlspaces is a smart idea. Rodents are active year round, heading indoors in search of food, warmth, and shelter. Store non-refrigerated food items in airtight containers to avoid providing unwanted animals with a food source. Seal gaps and cracks in walls and around doors and windows, or stuff them with steel wool, to close off potential points of entry. Keep garbage in cans with tight-fitting lids, and get rid of deep mulch and piles of leaves.

Eliminating Rodent Infestations

Mice have up to 56 pups yearly, and rats have as many as 84. While prevention is the most effective form of rodent control, there are steps you can take to eliminate an existing infestation. DIY solutions aren’t always effective, and many are unsafe. Get in touch with experienced pest control experts to eliminate a rodent infestation in your home or business. These professionals are trained to safely and effectively get rid of rodent infestations and prevent future problems.

Don’t let mice, rats, and other rodents take over your property in the Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA metro areas. Let the PestLock team provide your home or business with fast, thorough rodent control to ensure your health and safety throughout the year.