Facts On Rats
Preventing And Protecting Your Home From Rodents
The holidays are about being with family and friends and appreciating your relationships and each other. Normally, all of these great holiday memories happen in your home or a relative’s. Last month, we focused on the many types of rodents that can infest your home and what you can do to prevent that from happening and control methods for treating if you have already seen signs of rodents. As we get closer to the holidays and the weather turns colder, your home is more at risk at being seen as a safe and warm haven for these homeless rodents.
Rodent pests can cause considerable damage to your home while contributing to the unsanitary aspect of it. Especially in households with children who are more susceptible to illness.
Enjoy your time with family and friends this holiday season by making sure your home is rodent-proof and rodent-free.
Rats
The general types of these rodents that exist in your home can include the Norway rat, the roof (or black) rat and the house mouse. Roof rats usually stake out attics or cabinets and can climb quite well. Norway rats choose to live in the ground by digging burrows against foundations, tree trunks, and gardens. Their burrows can lead into crawl spaces and small openings around pipes which can enable them to inhabit your kitchens and bathrooms.
No matter the type of rat that lives in your home, you can be sure that it will be attracted to any food item you have in your pantry, especially high-quality food products such as meat and fresh grain. If you have pets, be extra cautious about foods being left out, because rats will smell and detect dog food that is sitting out.
Rats need one-half to one fluid ounce of water everyday when consuming dry foods. They have extremely sharp senses of taste, hearing, and smell. Once they are aware of what is within their reach and given their keen senses, rats will do anything to get to food or shelter. Overall, rats are able to enter a building through openings that are wider than half an inch across. Rats have a very short life span — most die within a year. However, rats can breed rapidly, so even though they die off quickly, their young will survive them. Female rats produce five or six litters of about half a dozen to a dozen young each year.
Now that you know a little about the rat’s habits, how can you tell that you have rats living alongside you in your home? Spotting droppings or visible signs of fresh gnawing should be an obvious indicator of rats. Rat tracks can appear on dusty surfaces or mud. Rats usually build runways and burrows to get into your home and they can be found next to buildings and under debris and low vegetation.
There are many things you can do to prevent rats, but what about the rats you know are already snooping in your attic and dark corners?
Snap traps are probably the easiest and most inexpensive rodent control out there. They can be used along with baits to attract rats. However, once other rats see that a fellow rat has been killed from a snap trap, they may avoid it. The other drawback to using a snap trap is the potential health hazards it can cause when the rat is killed by the trap. Snap traps can also pose a danger to children or pets in your home, as they can break bones or cause an even more serious injury.
Glue-boards are traps that use non-drying glue to capture and hold down rodents. These traps can be placed under tables, furniture, next to walls, refrigerators, or any place where you suspect rodent activity. Glue-boards are designed to get the rodent stuck on the board so that they cannot escape. Like the snap traps, glue-boards can pose health problems if rats’ bodies are pulled apart and exposed in your home.
Live trapping poses less risk or danger to animals you are not targeting, such as your pets. They also do not kill rats, unlike all the other methods discussed above. Instead, rats are captured and left in the trap until you dispose of them. Be sure to place enough bait to attract rats. If rats are without food, they may become anxious and eventually die, leaving behind their bodies to decay, as well as a horrible stench. Try to find areas where there are a lot of rat droppings, chewed entry points, and any other place you suspect rat activity or have heard noises from.
Rat Exclusion
Here are some simple rules of thumb you can adopt to prevent a rodent invasion in your home:
Store all your accessible food in rodent-proof containers such as glass or metal
Place your trash in tightly covered metal cans to prevent smells from escaping or potential rodent entry.
Check your faucets to make sure they are functioning properly and to fix leaks as they occur, since gaps or holes around pipes can serve as easy entry points for rodents.
Seal up any unnecessary openings with concrete or sheet metal. For other access points, a 1/4 inch hardware cloth or steel wool should do the trick.
For pet owners, put any uneaten pet food away before you go to bed, as any pet food left out is subject to rodent consumption!
Carefully watch your bird feeders. Be sure you are not feeding the local rodent population instead of desirable song birds!
Squirrels
Most people are familiar with squirrels and some may even find this particular rodent to be cute and charming. Gray squirrels are small rodents found throughout Texas.
Squirrel Control
Trapping
Traps are often effective where there is a small population of gray squirrels or in urban areas where a toxicant cannot be used safely. Small cage traps are available from feed stores, sporting goods stores and many garden supply centers. Traps should be baited with grain or oats and placed near the entrance to the burrow. Rat traps are also an effective way to catch smaller gray squirrels. The traps should be baited and placed near the burrow entrance.
Traps with an expanded trigger can be placed in the squirrel’s travel path. Set this way, the trap does not have to be baited. The animal will step on the trigger as it moves along the path.
While you may be comfortable trapping live animals, if you need to relocate them, please contact wildlife removal professionals.
Identifying the rodent you may have in your house and utilizing appropriate control methods is key to keeping your home clean and ready for the holidays.
By: Fran Phalin
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Fran Phalin is a freelance editor and writer specializing in home improvement topics. She is based in Austin, TX. For pest control services on any rodent, whether you need assistance in preventing them or need a pest control professional to control and trap rodents for you, please visit Anteater Pest and Lawn at: www.goanteater.com.
Porcupines are rodents, but they aren’t squirrels. Behind the incisors there is a gap with no teeth at all. The gap is called the diastema. In back you have “cheek teeth”.
Region’s rodents are on the rise
RAT numbers in our region are rising, according to a vermin survey. Figures collected by the National Pest Technicians’ Association (NPTA) from the North East show more reports of rodents were made in 2008.
Copernicus and the rodents. Apparently we have rats, mice or possums in the ceiling. At least Perni has perked up a bit. He had to go to the hospital after midnight on Friday night with a urinary infection.
Groundhog Day rodents predict six more weeks of winter
Posted is National Posts news blog, watching the news so you don’t have to with up-to-the-minute breaking stories, news from the Internet and takes from National Post writers.
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Rat Contamination
Bread and Droppings: Pest Control Group Warns of Rat Contamination
Experts warn that our daily bread could contain some unwanted extras - rat hairs, urine and even droppings. But there are ways to control your rat population, by chemical, mechanical, and electronic devices.
If you are about to bite into a slice of wholemeal toast at the breakfast table or tuck into your favourite lunchtime sandwich, it may be as well to look away now. Pest control experts yesterday warned that your loaf of bread could have been spiced up with some unwanted extras - rat hairs, urine and even droppings.
The glut of wheat following last year’s bumper harvest together with a surge in the rat population is being blamed for the possibility that rodents have contributed a little something to your sandwich.
According to the National Pest Technicians Association the rat problem is the worst for 30 years, and wholemeal bread is more at risk because it is less processed than white. Farmers’ representatives and the milling industry dismissed the claims as scaremongering, arguing that wheat for human consumption was stored very carefully and deliveries of wheat were minutely inspected before they were used to bake bread, biscuits or other products.
The NPTA is alleging that because so much wheat was produced some British farmers are struggling to store it securely, while recent mild winters have caused the number of rats to increase by more than 20%. NPTA director Peter Crowden said the rat problem was the worst he had seen in 30 years. "There’s a lot of grain in a 30-tonne lorry and they don’t test it all. And what about the rats urinating over it all as they run through?"
Crowden said he had seen rats and evidence of rats in wheat storehouses this winter. He called on the government to tackle the rat population, which he put at between 30 million and 40 million in the UK. He insisted he was not exaggerating the problem to frighten consumers and farmers and thus further NPTA interests.
However, Guy Gagen, chief arable adviser for the NFU, said he would be "very surprised" if rat hairs or droppings did get into bread. He said farmers who produced crops for human consumption were members of a rigorous assurance scheme. Inspectors made sure rodents were kept at bay. Gagen said wheat intended for human consumption tended to be stored in metal containers that could be tightly secured.
Martin Savage, trade policy manager of the National Association of British and Irish Millers, said he was "perplexed" at the claims. "This could provoke a food scare and it’s absolute nonsense," he said, though he accepted the rat population was on the up - he had come across one farmer who had got through a quarter of a tonne of poison since the last harvest.
Crowden insists he has got it right. "They want to come out with me if they don’t believe it." But even if droppings are getting through, Crowden does not believe it will do you any harm. "We’ve all got a bit namby-pamby, haven’t we? It won’t actually hurt you. It just isn’t very nice."
Bread and Droppings: Rat Contamination
Experts warn that our daily bread could contain some unwanted extras - rat hairs, urine and even droppings Bread and Droppings: Pest Control Group Warns of Rat Contamination .
Salmonella Horror: Worker Says Rat Dry-Roasting In
Rats, mice, roaches and other vermin are a part of the food-supply chain. Get over it - it is a fact of life. Surely no one thinks their food is free from all contamination.
Your article (Bread and droppings: pest control group warns of rat contamination, 22 January) reminded me of Laurie Lee’s description of the loaves delivered to his childhood home in the early 20th century: …
Contamination! Posted by Lab Rat at 03:26. I came in this morning, all bright and ready for phage propagation (harvesting phages from plates is actually quite fun) and what did we find?
Rat-infested restaurant closed
Rat droppings were discovered in the store room at the rear of the restaurant and raw chicken was being stored with cooked chicken, risking contamination.
| © Guardian News & Media 2008 Published: 1/21/2009 |
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Home Team Pest Defense
Do It Yourself Pest Control
Most of us have to deal with pesky critters that want to cohabit with us. Here are a few do it yourself pest control ideas that you can try out to keep them away.
No matter how clean you keep your home or how new your house may be, pest infestation is bound to happen. Pests like roaches, termites, beetles, ants, ticks, spiders, earwigs, bees, and rodents are usually drawn to homes because of the warmth, shelter and food. While some pests may be merely annoying, some others, like rats, carry disease, while some others, like certain kinds of spiders, can be poisonous. And as for termites, these can devour through all your wooden structures, causing you thousands of dollars in damage. However, hiring a professional exterminator to get rid of pest infestation in the home can be an expensive affair, hence more and more people are opting for do it yourself pest control.
Before turning to insecticides, however, there are a few pest prevention methods you can use to limit infestation. One of the most important ways to reduce the populations of insects in your home is by cutting off the very things they come for, the food, shelter, and water. For example, see that you store your trash in containers that have lids which fit tightly. As soon as crumbs fall anywhere or there are spills, clean them up promptly. When you vacuum, make sure to do it thoroughly, particularly in cracks and crevices. If there are any leaks, fix them, in order to prevent insects seeking the moisture. Don’t stack boxes, wood, or paper near or in your home. If you have a garden, or plants in your house, keep the vegetation manicured and allow plenty of ventilation and sunshine. Seal all the cracks and holes around your house to prevent insects from getting entry inside. A cockroach needs just 1/16 of an inch of space to hide. When bringing in boxes, furniture and the like into your home, make sure that they are not harboring any insects.
Basically, you need to deal with the problem before it becomes unmanageable. Generally, people don’t do anything about pests until they begin overrunning the place. The more you procrastinate about pest control, the more difficult it will be to do it yourself. Also, it is a good idea to learn about the particular type of pest problem you have. For example, if it is cockroaches that are the problem, you need to find out what will work best to get rid of them. You will find a lot of resources on the Internet that will help you to formulate a good strategy and choose products to deal with your pest control problem. For example, there are many homemade, non-toxic organic pesticides that you can find out about that you can use. Many chemical pesticides are very harmful, hence it is always safer to opt for non-toxic remedies.
Given below are a few safe, natural pesticides that you can make at home which can work against just about anything, from getting rid of insects to killing fungus, mold or mildew, and exterminating pests:
Garlic is very good as an organic pest control ingredient in the garden, it is also a natural insect repellant and pesticide.
Garlic Spray: Put two tablespoons of mineral oil in a bowl and add 3 or 4 ounces of finely chopped garlic bulbs into it. Let it soak for a day. Dissolve one teaspoon of fish emulsion in one pint of water and mix this into garlic and mineral oil mixture. Strain this liquid and then store it in a glass container (do not use a metal container). When you want to use it, dilute one part of the solution to 20 parts of water. This kills mosquitoes, onion flies, and aphids.
Garlic as an insect repellant and pest control:
- Planting garlic along with tomatoes keeps red spider mites away.
- Borers will get repelled by planting garlic around fruit trees.
- If you apply garlic spray on sweet potatoes it will keep the rabbits away from them.
- Spray the garlic pesticide on ponds in order to kill mosquitoes.
Tomato Leaf Insect Spray: Crush some tomato leaves in a vegetable juicer and add 4-5 pints of water along with one tablespoon of cornstarch. Strain this liquid and store in the fridge, using it according to requirement.
Some of the best botanical pesticides are: Rotenone (extracted from cube and derris), Neem, Sabadilla, and Pyrethrin.
Garden pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap. It is very effective against aphids, flea beetles, spider mites, mealybugs, whiteflies, and thrips, and sometimes even leafhoppers and caterpillars. It becomes more potent when mixed with Rotenone. Insecticidal soap only works when applied directly, hence you need to spray it directly on the pest. It is also effective against powdery mildew, if it is combined with botanical or horticultural oils.
Mint and onion are excellent as repellants against bugs, fleas and beetles.
Pyola is a natural insecticide which contains canola oil and pyrethrins. It is effective against squash bugs, aphids, and beetles. Since most of the canola oil in the US is made from genetically engineered canola, growers of organic vegetables ought to check it out before using.
Boric Acid, also known as Borax, is very good against cockroaches, ants, ticks, fleas, termites, and many other insects. It is also an effective biocide and fungicide, especially when it is combined with hydrogen peroxide, and kills mold and fungus, including the toxic black mold.
Note: Be cautious when using broad spectrum pesticides. Try and target only pests, so that you do not kill beneficial insects.
Illinois Pest Control Guide
If you are looking for a pest control company in Illinois, then you have come to the right place.
Thinking About Diy Pest Control
There are hundreds of articles and guides across the internet touting the effectiveness of home pest control methods.
DIY Pest Control
I have used salt, cinnamon and vaseline for other issues that have come up with critters around our home.
DIY Pest Control
Although quite a few pest control companies now claim to use organic pesticides, there’s nothing like quick, handy and no-cost tricks to keep the little rogues at bay.
DIY Pest Control
Our fogger was designed for control of flying or crawling insects and other pests that inhabit your home or structures.
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By Rita Putatunda |
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