Rodent Control and Removal exterminators: How to Get Rid of Rodents from Your Home

What do rodent exterminators do?

Seattle pest exterminators  specialize in several rodent control services , including rat removal and mouse control , rodent damage control, rodent management , rodent prevention , residential and commercial rodent control . Our certified wildlife specialists and animal control operators are trained with the most advanced rodent control techniques, ranging from rodent control through trapping to rodent damage repair and rodent prevention

Rats, mice and other rodents can become a nuisance when they come in close proximity to humans.  In addition to spreading disease to both humans and household pets, rodents can also cause property damage and contaminate food sources.  Rodent pest Control specializes in rodent control and removal to help you get rid of rodents in your home or business.  A variety of lethal and non-lethal techniques, including exclusion, habitat modification, and trapping are available that may effectively control these pests.

Rodent like rats, mice, squirrels can damage your home and make a hole in your wallet

If wild mice find a way inside your home, they can potentially cause thousands of dollars in damage to your drywall and insulation. A female house mouse can give birth to more than 50 mice in a single year. They can also transmit a harmful disease that can cause death in humans. Some mice in the United States have been known to transmit hantaviruses, which can cause a respiratory disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. The symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscles aches, followed by coughing and shortness of breath. Most people get sick after breathing air contaminated with the virus, which is transmitted through mouse urine, droppings and saliva. Nearly 700 cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome have been reported in 40 states. Mice and rats are even a significant fire hazard, suspected in one fourth of all fires of unknown origin.

Your best defense is keeping mice out of your home in the first place. Jeff Ashworth General manager of Seattle pest exterminators located in Seattle , Washington. He says you should walk around your home at least once a Month and look for any openings where mice could enter. If the hole is the size of a quarter, Jeff says a mouse could easily crawl inside.

Most homes in Washington have attics and crawlspaces where most rodents rats mice will nest and go unnoticed till you start hearing noises or smells from dead rodents. Its important that your have those spaces inspected regularly. Seattle rats exterminators technicians are trained to look for signs that might not be noticeable by you or family members.

Rodents are unable to gnaw through steel wool, and that’s why it’s perfect for plugging larger holes around your home.  We found a small opening in some vinyl siding around a gas line and used spray foam to fill the empty hole. You should also trim shrubs and hedges from your foundation to prevent mice from nesting. Then, you’ll be able to see the cracks or holes in your foundation that need to be sealed with caulk.

Mice want food, water and shelter which is why your home is desirable to them.

How can I get rid of rodents?

Rats and mice have babies often, so it is important to find and get rid of them quickly and efficiently. Even if you do not see an actual rodent, the size of the droppings can tell you if there is a mouse or rat. Mouse droppings are approximately 6 mm (¼ inch) long, and rat droppings measure up to 19 mm (¾ inch) long.

The best way to get rid of rats or mice is by using traps. Buy several of the appropriate spring loaded traps and bait them with dried fruit, peanut butter mixed with oats, or cheese. Be sure the bait is securely attached to the trip pedal; otherwise the trap may not spring when the food is removed. Set the traps at ‘right angles’ (90 degrees) to the walls where the rodents are known to travel, with the bait side of the trap toward the wall.

Once you capture a rodent, make sure not to touch it with your bare hands. Wear gloves or use a plastic bag when disposing of a trapped rodent. Dispose of the rodent in sealed, double plastic garbage bags. Bury garbage bags in a 0.5 – 1 meter deep hole, burn them or put them in the trash according to local by-laws. After the dead rodents are removed from the traps, disinfect the traps with a mixture of 1 part bleach and 10 parts water.

How can I prevent rodents from living on my property?

There are steps you can take to prevent rodents on your property.

1. Eliminate food and water sources: •Keep all garbage in metal containers with tight fitting lids. •Compost kitchen waste in rodent-resistant containers. Do not throw meat, bones, grease, fish or other food scraps into the compost. •Ensure the compost is away from the house. Properly maintain the compost by stirring and adding lime every few months. •Remove fallen fruit and nuts from your yard. •Remove pet food right after feeding and do not leave it outside overnight. Clean out waste and food from pet pens and enclosures. •Equip bird feeders with trays and clean spilled seeds often. •Repair any plumbing leaks to remove collected water. Cover pools and whirlpools when not in use.

2. Eliminate hiding and living places: •Do not plant shrubs or flowers close to buildings. Keep a space clear between buildings and plants and allow 15 cm to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) under plants. Trim grass and ditch areas. •Remove unused piles of lumber, old sheds, or buildings. •Do not store old cars or furniture outside. •Store lumber and firewood on stands 30 cm to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches) off the ground.

3. Protect buildings: •Cover crawl spaces, fresh air and attic vents with 6mm (¼ inch) metal screening or steel mesh. •Repair cracks in cement footings and foundations. •Build sheds on concrete slabs. •Install 6mm (¼ inch) hardware cloth inside your compost.

Can I use poison to get rid of rodents?

It is not a good idea to use poison or baits to control rodents. Poisoned rodents can crawl away and die, and their bodies can be hard to find and breeding grounds for disease. Poisons can also accidentally harm pets, wild animals, or even children. Ultrasound rappelers, although initially effective, are expensive and do not have long-term success at eliminating rodents.

If after taking preventive measures, a rodent problem still exists on your property and you want to try rat poison, there are certain things you should consider: •Set out non-poisoned food for a few days prior to baiting, so the rodent starts feeding in the area. •Read and follow the directions on the label carefully. •Set bait in areas where there is no access to children or pets. •If there are children or pets around, place baits in protected and locked boxes. •Place bait deep in burrows, tunnels or holes. •Change bait frequently and before it starts to smell. •Remove dead rodents and all baits once pest control has been completed. If you are unable to remove the rodents on your own, contact a licensed company with certified staff to help you.

How can I clean up areas where rodents rats mice have been?

Prevent stirring up dust when you are cleaning areas where mice have lived. This includes ventilating any enclosed area for 30 minutes and wetting down the area with household disinfectant before you start. Most general purpose disinfectants and household detergents are effective. A mixture of 1 part bleach and 10 parts water can also be used. Pour mixture carefully onto the area to avoid disturbing any virus present – do not use a sprayer.

Wipe up droppings, nesting materials and other waste with a paper towel and place in a plastic garbage bag. Do not sweep or vacuum.

Double bag the contents, seal the bags, and then bury, burn, or place the bags in the trash, according to local by-laws.

Clean floors, carpets, clothing and bedding, and disinfect counter-tops, cabinets and drawers that have been in contact with mice.

Wash rubber gloves with disinfectant or soap and water before removing them. Wash your hands with soap and water after removing gloves.

Pest Control for rats mice During clean-up, make sure to wear an appropriate, well-fitting filter mask, rubber gloves and goggles

If you find mice droppings, chances are their nest is within an 7-foot radius. Inside your home, check the kitchen first. Rodents are warm-blooded, and that’s why they often nest in the wall behind your stove and refrigerator where it’s warm and cozy. Make sure to check all areas where you store food. The best way to get rid of mice is to eliminate their food source. Make sure your food products and your pet’s food are sealed or in plastic containers. If mice are already in your home, our local qualified experienced exterminators in seattle,bellevue,kirkland,Redmond,issaquah,samammish,kent,puyallup,Tacoma Washington will eliminate your problem. If you wanna try to control the mice rat problem yourself .  We found poisons, traps with sticky pads, as well as the old-fashioned spring-loaded mousetrap. Once you have put poison out or baited your mousetrap, don’t just stick it somewhere and forget about it, or you could end up with a stinky mess. “You’ve got to be careful with snap traps because, sometimes, you can just wound an animal as opposed to killing it,” Jeff says.

Safety precaution to note put on rubber gloves before you ever remove a dead mouse or their droppings. Clean up mouse and rat urine, droppings and nesting materials with a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water. If all else fails, call in a Rodent rat mice control professional extermination service.

Your greatest chance of being exposed to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome occurs when you work or play in areas where rodents live like cabins, sheds, barns and outbuildings.

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