While some people enjoy keeping rodents as pets, wild rats are dangerous animals in any home. Not only can their noisiness, droppings, digging, and filth be an annoying disturbance for homeowners, but more importantly, rats can potentially carry diseases, such as hantavirus, leptospirosis, etc. Not to be confused with mice, these critters are quite a bit larger. However, we use the same sorts of traps and other techniques to take care of both. So, if you have a mouse problem as well, read on.
If a rodent infestation gets out of control, rats can bite or scratch humans, infecting them and potentially injuring them. Rats also attract other issues, such as fleas, which can be a danger to our pets and humans. Whether it is sounds coming from the roof, or the walls, whether it’s larger rodents or even exotic wildlife that’s found its way indoors or outdoors, we’re here to help. We deal with multiple problems like this daily, and our trapper team is happy to support you in getting the problem solved in no time.
Unfortunately, buildings in Orange County have had an upswing of rodent infestations throughout recent years. The good news is, these infestations can be solved with the right traps, techniques, and equipment.
Signs You Have a Pest or Rodent Infestation in Orange County
Rodent infestations are a common problem in Orange County, and the first step to solving it is identifying it. Rat infestations are particularly common in messy, busy, or dirty environments, such as lofts, attics, kitchens & laundries. Also, rats are most active during nighttime. Therefore it is easier to spot the signs than the actual rat to use traps and catch them.
Here are some of the most common signs to look for:
- Rat droppings: These tend to be a dark brown color, between 3/4 inches and 1/4 inches thick. Their shape depends on the type of rat, but most tend to look like grains of rice. It’s important to identify new ones, which are darker and shiny, while old droppings will look more dusty and dry. Be sure to check in drawers, behind appliances, and other rat-prone areas.
- Dirty or greasy marks: Rats can leave streaks and marks on surfaces, such as walls, floors, and pipes, due to the grease and dirt on their bodies. If you see a lot of small, mysterious black grease rub marks around your home with no other explanation, it may be due to rats.
- Footprints: Most rodents have five toes on the hind feet and four on the front. Footprints and tail tracks can be seen in dusty areas where there is a rat infestation. Use a light sprinkling of baby powder or flour to later check if there is evidence of footprints. Footprints can also be checked for outside on mud or moist soil.
- Holes: Rats are avid diggers of burrows to create shelter, food storage, and nests. Look out for signs of small holes that could have been dug by a rat, particularly in your outside property, around plant roots, or near garbage cans.
- Damaged or chewed material: To build their nests, rats will often shred, chew, or tear at available materials in your home, such as wood, cardboard, and other soft surfaces. Keep an eye on items in your homes, such as doors and cabinets, that begin to show chewing marks or other damage.
- Scratching noises: This is one of the key signs of rodents to look out for. If your home is infested with rats, you may be hearing a lot of scratching, skittering, and/or squeaking noises in your home, especially at night, coming from below or through the walls.
If you have noticed any of the signs mentioned above in your home, we recommend acting immediately to nip the potential infestation in the bud before it can worsen. This typically requires an inspection of the attic, and other locations are baited to ensure that more resistant problems are taken care of for good. Often, rodent proofing is involved to remove the activity for good. Otherwise, the problem may resurface.
Tips for Successful Mouse or Rat Removal in Orange County
There are many different rat control disposal methods available to homeowners. Some rat removal methods are designed to instantly kill rats by using poison, snap traps, or glue traps. However, many people prefer to use more humane methods, such as cage traps, to catch an alive rat and release it later without causing it harm.
Various factors will determine whether your rat removal techniques will successfully eliminate the rodents in your home. Here are our top tips for a successful rat trapping experience:
- Place and position your traps strategically. Try to set your traps in areas where they are most likely to frequent, such as inside closets, under furniture and counters, inside empty cabinets and drawers, etc. Avoid placing traps near the centers of a room; they should always be next to a wall. The best trap positions to catch a rat are at a parallel right angle touching a wall, with the trigger facing the wall.
- Trick them into trusting your traps. Rats are wary creatures and are suspicious of new objects. To earn their trust, it’s a good idea to place traps where you want to catch them but don’t set it up to work. Let the traps be harmless bait for about a week. After the rats grow comfortable with them, that’s when you set the trap to function properly.
- Use the right bait. Good, easy trap baits for rodent infestation are peanut butter, cheese, bacon, and/or dried fruits.
- Avoid touching a rat trap with your bare hands. Aside from the hygienic risks involved, rats will notice the human smell and even detect fingerprints on the trap and avoid going near it. Instead, use kitchen utensils and plastic gloves when handling traps for a higher chance of success.
- Choose your trap type carefully. While you may be inclined to go for a non-lethal trap, some states have laws against catching and releasing rodents into the wild. Also, using poison for rat removal can be potentially hazardous, as the rat can spread the poison across your home, putting children and pets at risk. The best options available for rat control are usually traditional snap traps that kill instantly.
Reach out today to speak to our sales team to get a free inspection. Our company is here to help you with the right products, including full service with setting traps.
