FINDING SHREDDED PAPER AND BLACK RICE-LIKE THINGS IN MY BASEMENT IS EVIDENCE OF RATS AND MICE INFESTATION
People do not often see rats, but signs of their presence are easy to detect. The most troublesome rats are: the roof rat and the Norway rat. It is important to know which species of rat is present in order to place traps or baits in the most effective locations. Norway rats, sometimes called brown or sewer rats, are stocky burrowing rodents that are larger than roof rats. Their burrows are found along building foundations, beneath rubbish or woodpiles, and in moist areas.
Mice can get into homes and become a real problem. But to get rid of them, you need to understand what they do and what they like to eat. A mouse in your house is, in fact, more than an just an unwanted pest, it can also be a health threat to all who live there. Mice are small, nocturnal, and nest in out-of-the-way places (attics and crawlspaces), you may not even know you have a problem until it is a major problem.
Signs of a mouse infestation are bad smell,live or dead mice,nests or piled nesting materials, gnawed holes in stored foods, piled papers, insulation, food scraps or wrappings left behind, excreted droppings – 1/4 – 1/8 inch with pointed ends, narrow pathways where dust and dirt has been swept clean, grease marks are noticeable, urine trails seen under black light.
You might also hear it skittering on hard wood or laminate floors or smell the rank odor of a large infestation.
One or two mice is problem harmful To Your Health-What Damage Do Rats and Mice Cause?
Rats and mice can cause structural damage in homes, apartments, offices, and virtually any type of building through gnawing, nest building and defecation.Mice will chew on just about anything that they see as useful in building their nests. This could be wood, paper, cloth, books, anything in a home or business building. A mouse will gnaw and burrow into upholstered furniture or seats of cars to create a hidden, snug nest.
Insulation is not safe from mice either. They will tunnel into insulation inside walls and attics, either to make a home or to gather soft materials for their nests. Mice also will chew on the insulation around wires. This has been known to cause a real threat of fire.Mice will even build their nests in large electrical appliances, again chewing on or through insulation and wiring, which can cause the appliance to short circuit, malfunction, or lead to risk of fire.
The mice have no respect for any item gnawing on and into just about any chewable item that is stored in the attic, basement, garage or closet including irreplaceable family heirlooms, valuable paintings, and important documents.
Getting rid of mice in my home
Keep your yard clean, always cleaning up any nuts or fruits that fall to the ground from trees. If you keep a pet outdoors, do not leave the food and water out continually because this can attract pests. If you feed birds, use rodent-proof feeders and always clean up the birdseed that falls to the ground under the feeders. Eliminate water sources outdoors as well.
Fix plumbing leaks and cover pools outdoors. Avoid planting shrubs and flowers near your home because this can provide shelter for rodents. Avoid leaving piles of lumber or other items laying around because rodents can use these areas for shelter. Discarded furniture and automobiles can also attract rodents.
If you store firewood, store it at least 1.5 feet off the ground to prevent rodent infestation. Despite eliminating areas where rodents can enter your home and setting traps inside, you may need to give in and call a
professional pest exterminators service. Because it’s important to control this infestation to ensure the health and safety of your family, do not put off hiring a
expert rat exterminator if you cannot resolve your mice and rat problem. There are a number of methods of rodent control, including traps, baits, rodenticides, and
professional pest control.
How do mice get in my house?
A mouse can slip through 1/4-inch holes and gaps – much smaller than appears possible. It can jump 13 inches high from a floor or other surface, and can run along wires, cables, and ropes. Because they are excellent jumpers, swimmers, and climbers, mice can ascend even rough, vertical surfaces.
How to Catch Mice & Rats – How do I set a snap trap?
Rodents will travel the same pathways over and over. Those pathways are always along the base of a wall or similar vertical structure. Traps should always be placed in the pathways. Pairs of traps can be employed since mice will often jump over obstructions in their normal path. Use two traps in the position mentioned above or place them length-wise, end-to-end so that the bait pedal end will be encountered first as mice approach from either direction. Be sure to position the snap trap so that the baited end of each trap is placed perpendicular to the wall.
Rodents generally travel with their bodies against a wall for protection. It may be necessary to bait a rat trap without setting the trap and allow the bait to be eaten a couple of times. Then set the trap with more bait. Rats tend to shy away from new objects so this method gets them accustomed to the trap.
Mice are more inquisitive than rats, so pre-baiting is less likely to be needed. Remove the small staple holding the locking bar to the wood base. Place bait inside curl found at the end of the bait pedal. Pull back bow and hold down with thumb. With other hand, engage the curved portion locking bar under the small, V-shaped lip on the bait pedal.
