All animals that come under rodents have a habit of gnawing. Gnaw basically means they chew on objects, thereby causing structural damage to houses or properties. Their infestation has become a pressing concern in O’Fallon.
The increasing urban development has left them no choice but to enter the homes of residents in O’Fallon. Rats, mice, squirrels, etc are all rodents. They can be easily identified by their unique feature, which is their teeth. Their front teeth are more prominent, and that is also the reason why they gnaw.
The front teeth grow continuously, and in order to keep them in shape, they gnaw on different objects.
Furthermore, apart from causing structural damage, they can also cause various health issues in humans. They might infect your food and cause problems. If they are inside your house, you are likely to find them around your food items. This is because rodents usually enter the house for either food or to seek shelter. Exterminator Services in O’Fallon can help you to get rid of them.
What are the sources of attraction for rodents?
- Keeping food in unsealed containers can attract them.
- They can easily access packets of chips, flour, and other items.
- Leaving vegetables or fruits in an open area like your table without covering them.
- Having pipes that are broken or cause leakage.
- Leaving the trash can open can also attract rodents.
- Having holes in your pipes or doors or windows.
- No screen on the ventilation in the attics. It can give a way for rodents to enter.
- Crawl spaces have no sealing points.
What are the different methods to control them?
There are various methods by which you can control their infestation. Some of those methods are discussed below:
- Try to seal all the entry points, leaving no space for them to enter. You can use metal mesh to seal the entry points around your house.
- Keep your surroundings clean.
- Do not leave your food items here and there. Please keep them in tight containers.
- Look for their droppings; that is how you will know where they are exactly.
- There are barn owl nesting boxes that are very effective in catching rodents.
- Making use of electronic traps can prove to be helpful, too.
We can look at outdoor and indoor recommendations specifically.
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Outdoor techniques and recommendations to keep them out:
There is a plant ivy; avoid having it at your place. Having that plant on your wall can give way to rodents entering your place.
- Try avoiding bird feeders; rodents can find them as a source of food.
- Make use of plastic bins issued by the city.
- Keep your kitchen clean to avoid attracting them.
- Cut your grasses, and do not let them grow bigger than two inches.
- Keep distance between different plants and shrubs around the house.
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Indoor techniques to keep rodents out.
- Get garbage bins that have a tight lid.
- Keep all the packaged items in containers.
- Try not to leave your pet’s food out for the entire night.
- Keep papers, fabrics, and other materials that they can gnaw away.
- Get any leaky stuff fixed to minimize the risk of their infestation.
- Keep your place free of moisture.
Is the use of rodenticide safe?
While rodenticide can help you kill rodents around the house, it has specific risks associated with it.
- Rodenticide will kill the rodents where they are. It will make it difficult for you to find them.
- If you have pets around the house, they can either become severely ill or may even die from eating the dead rodent (poisoned with rodenticide in them).
- Other animals that feed upon rodents can also die from consuming them.
- Children can also get harmed from accidentally having the rodenticide.
When to call pest control services?
If you have already used different methods and nothing seems to be effective, it is time you reach out to a professional in O’Fallon.
