Why Getting Rid of Rodents is Difficult and Possible Solutions

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A rodent trying to sneak in someone's house.

You’ve probably observed that rodents can be so tricky and sneaky that getting rid of them seems like an impossible task. You’re probably frustrated already.

But when you understand why that is, you are one step closer to accomplishing your task.

First off, why must you get rid of rodents ASAP?

The dangers of rodents

Rodents like mice and rats multiply quickly and can transmit diseases to humans. They also worsen allergies like asthma. So if you or your family member has some allergy or asthma, you don’t want to inhabit rodents in your space.

Furthermore, mouse and rat droppings and urine contain harmful pathogens that can contaminate food.

4 reasons why it’s difficult to get rid of rodents

1. They are very intelligent

Rodents are very hard to eliminate because they are neophobic: they get suspicious of new items such as traps and baits. So if you use these devices casually without serious effort, you’ll often meet them untouched the next morning.

2. They reproduce at lightning speed

Rodents reproduce very fast. A female mouse can give birth to a litter of 2-12 mice every 6-8 weeks. So what starts as a minor rodent problem can escalate into a full-blown infestation in a matter of weeks. What’s more, their sexual maturation can occur as early as 5-8 weeks.

3. Extremely agile

Rodents are unlike cockroaches and mosquitoes you can squash while sitting down. You might chase a rat throughout your home and even get injured, but the rat would go without a scratch. Also, adult rats can squeeze through a 1cm opening and escape. It becomes almost impossible to eliminate rats by physically attracting them.

4. Experts at hiding

Rodents are very secretive and can live in your house for weeks unnoticed. They can hide in tight spaces that keep them out of reach, such as in the attic, basements, and crawl spaces. The stealth with which they move will also make them hard to notice.

It’s important to eliminate junk such as boxes and bulky items lying close together as these things create hiding space for rodents.

How do rodents enter your home?

To prevent rodent infestation, you must first figure out how they get into your home in the first place. You can then proceed to obstruct such access points. That said, you can get rid of rats by calling a local rodent control expert. And even after doing so, you must do all you can to avoid a future infestation. All of that is covered below.

Solutions: How to get rid of rodents

  • Use sticky traps and electric traps rather than the old-fashioned mouse traps.
  • Get a cat. A cat is a rodent’s sworn enemy, so it would help keep the mice at bay.
  • Essential oils are a great way to get rid of pests but should only be used when your house is pet-free
  • Set up bait stations.

How to prevent rodents from entering your home

  • Seal up gaps in your door, window, cracks in the wall, roof, etc., no matter how tiny they may seem. Repair external doors and windows that don’t close well.
  • Clear overgrown bushes close to your home
  • Keep food locked up and out of reach. Remember that food is the ultimate pest magnet as it’s their primary motive for entering your home is survival.

To reiterate, it’s crucial to use preventative measures even when you do professional pest control. You don’t want more rodents to infiltrate your home after killing the existing ones simply because you didn’t block their entrance.

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