Do you know what attracts rats to properties here in Jacksonville? Why is this the case? Because sometimes, all a rat needs to be happy is four walls and air conditioning. If they find food and water in addition to these pleasantries, they might stick around for a lot longer. To help you better understand why rats are inside your Jacksonville home or business and why professional rodent control may be necessary, here are some things you need to know.
How To Identify Rats
If you have recently seen a live rat running through your home, you can skip this part. If you have been hearing bumps and scampering in the night, then here are some other signs rats leave behind that will help identify them:
- Pellets of fecal matter
- Grease smears along baseboards
- Holes chewed through walls
- Gnaw marks on furniture
- Torn up insulation
- Damaged clothing and fabrics
- Shredded books and newspapers
- Damage to pantry items like cereal boxes and rice bags
Do Sticky Traps Work To Kill Rats?
Sticky traps are one way that many property owners use to eliminate mice. We believe that this method is inhumane. Mice and rats that get stuck do not die immediately and usually suffer and pass away from dehydration, and to make things worse, sticky traps are no more effective than other DIY methods.
Why You Should Avoid Rodenticides
Of all the store-bought rodent control options available to you, rodenticide is the one you should be the most cautious of. Although effective when used properly, this method poses a serious risk to more than just rats and mice when used improperly. Unless you are a trained professional, do not use this control method inside your home or business; it could put you, your family, and your pets at risk.
Do Snap Traps Work?
We are not a pest control company that tells our community to avoid DIY altogether. We recommend trying snap traps if you are up for the task and have the time and mental fortitude to do so. Of all the methods you can buy over the counter, this is the most effective. Maximize your success by investing in quality rat traps and a can of peanut butter. We recommend peanut butter over cheese because rats can more easily steal cheese and similar foods, whereas peanut butter requires rats to lick at it making the trap more likely to trigger. As for where you should place these traps, the best areas are beneath sinks, in the back of pantries, and in other areas where rats might travel.
When Is It Best To Call A Professional?
There is a point where no amount of store-bought DIY products will solve a rat infestation because of how fast these creatures reproduce. We recommend turning to Jacksonville pest professionals for any infestation of more than three rats. We also love to inform our community that rodent control has never been more affordable or effective, especially if you trust the Trad’s Pest Control experts. We will send one of our highly-trained and friendly technicians your way ASAP to inspect your Jacksonville property for annoying, dangerous, and destructive rats. If we find any, your technician will inform you of control methods available to you and implement treatments to remove these furry pests.
Call us today to learn more about our Jacksonville rodent control services or to hear about our professional rodent prevention plans. We will answer any questions you may have and set up an appointment for residential pest services or commercial pest extermination in Jacksonville.