According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the average large American city reports more than 10,000 home and commercial rodent problems every year. While this number may be reduced in rural and suburban populations, the fact remains that rodents comprise one of the most common pest problems in the country.
Why are Rodents a Threat?
Humans have lived side by side with rodents for the entirety of our existence, but that doesn’t mean we make tremendous bedfellows. In fact, rodents can cause a variety of serious problems when they infest a home or building. Rats are not particularly clean animals. Because of this, they are known to spread germs and bacteria wherever they go. Additionally, they are known to harbor and spread diseases such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which carries a 38 percent mortality rate in humans. Finally, they can wreak structural havoc, chewing through wood, wiring, and other building components for nesting purposes.
Identifying an Infestation
Rodents tend to leave clues to their presence whenever they enter a new area. By knowing what signs to look for, you can take action when you suspect a rodent infestation in your home or commercial property. Droppings, tracks, scratching sounds, musty odors, and nests are among the most common signs of rodent habitation. Rodents are habitually nocturnal, which means many homeowners with an infestation may never see the perpetrators themselves.
Taking Action
Mousetraps have been around since the late 1800s, but using these devices to cure a serious rodent infestation isn’t always the best approach to the problem. At Conquest Pest Solutions, we have more than 20 years of experience dealing with rats on both a residential and commercial scale. Before you spend your money on useless store-bought solutions, get a free quote from Conquest. You won’t regret it.
Rodent Deterrent and Rat Proofing
Rodents cause serious problems for many home and business owners in Illinois. Norway rats remain common throughout the state. They steal food, transmit diseases and leave droppings in kitchen drawers. These furry pests also spark fires when they gnaw on electric wires. A rats teeth keep growing and if they were to not gnaw on a hard surface their teeth would grow into themselves and kill them.
Rats can’t enter a structure unless it has holes or cracks that they can crawl through. It’s beneficial to find these openings and seal them.
This pest control strategy is called “rodent deterrent.” It must be performed very thoroughly; rats fit in rather tight spaces. For example, a large Norway rat could easily squeeze through the opening at the top of a milk bottle.
You may gain several other benefits by sealing out rodents. Cold air enters homes and businesses through the same holes that rats use. Illinois residents save money on heating bills when they block these openings. This strategy also makes buildings less accessible to other pests, such as ants and cockroaches.
Rodent deterrent provides a long-term solution that reduces the need to use rodent poisons. However, it’s best to periodically inspect a building for additional entryways. Pests, inclement weather and other forces of nature can create new holes from time to time.
Professional Carpentry to Rat-Proof Your Home
One of the best ways to rat-proof your home is to eliminate rodent access routes. Carpentry may provide the solution because building them out means that you stop the problem at the source rather than resorting to poisons or rat traps after they’re already in your home. An experienced pest control professional will be able to detect any weak spots or entrance points in your home’s foundation, skirting or underbelly. Then, one of our professional in-house carpenters can permanently seal the point of access and give it a streamlined finish. Our professionals are experienced in working with construction materials that include wood, cement, drywall and brick. Conquest Pest Solutions offers a professional rodent exclusion service for home and business owners in northern Illinois. Our staff uses durable materials that stand up to gnawing and harsh weather. To get started, call us for a free rodent exclusion quote.