Preventative measures can help reduce rodent attraction. Store firewood off the ground, remove overhanging branches, and trim vegetation. Keep trash cans secure and dispose of them regularly. Store food in sealed containers and wipe up crumbs promptly.

Professional Rodent Retreat technicians conduct thorough inspections and identify potential entry points. These are then sealed with caulk, weather stripping, or metal flashing.

Non-lethal Traps

Using humane traps can be an effective and more sustainable alternative to rodenticides. However, they are best suited to smaller infestations and can require a considerable amount of effort and monitoring.

Snap, glue, and live traps are all effective in catching rodents. They can be used indoors or outdoors and are usually placed along walls, near droppings and gnaw marks. They are typically baited with a small amount of food that the rats or mice will find attractive. Some are designed to kill the animal instantly when triggered, while others allow you to capture and release the rodents elsewhere. You can also use electrocution traps, which are enclosed devices that shut when a rodent enters and sends a high-voltage charge through metal plates to kill it.

Other methods of controlling the population include using natural repellents and deterrents, removing hiding sites around homes, barns, and garages, and eliminating potential nesting sites by trimming trees, weeds, and overgrown vegetation. You can also encourage the presence of natural predators such as owls by providing water, food, and shelter.

As a long-term solution, we offer pest exclusion services that are more effective at preventing rodents from accessing your home or business. We seal entry points using steel wool and caulk and can install wire mesh around crawl space vents, foundation openings, and any other exterior entry points that may need it.

Exclusion techniques

Rodents are persistent pests that can breed quickly, so it is important to take steps to prevent their access to food, water, and shelter. Mice and rats can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter inch, so it is important to seal any areas they could enter into the home.

To reduce rodent attraction, regularly clean indoor areas to eliminate food sources and nesting sites. Wipe down countertops, sweep floors, and vacuum carpeting to remove crumbs, hairs, and other debris. Store food in airtight containers and trash cans with lids that latch shut to deter scavenging rodents.

Outside the house, trim trees and shrubs to minimize the potential for them to provide hiding spots or ladders into the home. Keep weeds and brush trimmed back from the house, and do not store firewood against the foundation. Keep compost piles and yard waste away from the house, and don’t plant ivy close to walls where it can form “rat ladders.”

Regularly inspect the exterior of the home for signs of rodent activity, including droppings and gnaw marks, every month. This will help to catch infestations in their early stages and allow homeowners to seal entry points before they cause major problems. If a rodent infestation is detected, use exclusion techniques to seal any holes and cracks with caulking, spray foam, copper mesh, wire wool, metal screens, or hardware cloth.

Natural Repellents

Natural repellents utilize essential oils, herbs, spices, and natural minerals to deter rodents from entering homes. Peppermint oil, for example, has a strong scent that is unpleasant to rats. Mixing the oil with water and spraying it in areas of the home that are infested can keep them away. Similarly, the spice cayenne pepper can be effective as it irritates rats and makes them uncomfortable in a space. Garlic and onion also act as natural deterrents because of their pungent odor.

Other popular natural deterrents include eucalyptus oil and baking soda. Eucalyptus oil is effective because it disrupts the sense of smell that rodents use to navigate spaces. Soaking cotton balls in peppermint oil and placing them around vulnerable points of entry can also deter these pests. Other natural substances like salt, ammonia, and vinegar also work as effective rat repellents when mixed with water or applied to a cloth and placed near entry points or infested areas.

However, these home remedies are only effective for mild and early-stage infestations. Rodents are highly adaptable and can quickly learn to ignore these deterrents if they become familiar with them. For long-term results, professional exclusion services are necessary. These specialists can inspect the property and identify potential entry points before sealing them off with durable materials. In addition, preventive measures such as reducing clutter and securing garbage bins help to make the home less attractive to rats.

Call the Experts

Rodent infestations aren’t just a nuisance, but can also cause significant damage. From chewing through wires to destroying wood and insulation, they create serious health and safety risks and affect property value over time. Unlike store-bought traps and poison, professional pest control services target the entire rodent population while addressing their food sources and entry points.

Rodents can be carriers of severe and deadly diseases, including hantavirus, salmonella, monkeypox, leptospirosis, and typhus. These pathogens can be spread through rodent urine and feces, or by handling dead rodents. Regular inspections and prompt action can help prevent these threats, protecting you, your family, and your pets from the dozens of diseases they carry.

You can also reduce the chances of rodents finding their way into your home by identifying and sealing entry points. Look for small cracks and gaps in foundations, soffits, rooflines, vents, chimneys, and around doors and windows. Rodents are masters at slipping through gaps the size of a dime, so don’t ignore even the smallest holes. Also, make sure that trash is regularly disposed of in sealed bins and that pet food is stored in airtight containers. Lastly, clean up spills and crumbs promptly to eliminate potential food sources for rats and mice.

Rodents can be a real nuisance for homes, farms and factories. They enter buildings in search of food, water and shelter. They can gnaw through wires and cause costly structural damage. Keep cluttered spaces clean to eliminate hiding spots and prevent rodents from gaining access.

Place traps or bait where you see droppings, nesting material, gnaw marks and burrows. Use tamper-resistant bait stations to prevent children and pets from gaining access. Contact Rodent Control Boston for professional help.

Rodents need to gnaw in order to keep their sharp incisors from overgrowing, and chewing on just about anything will help them achieve this. As a result, rodents will often cause damage to wood, wires, carpeting and food. They can even gnaw through some kinds of metal and electrical wires, resulting in costly structural damage and creating a fire risk.

Other damage comes from rodent urine and droppings, which can contaminate food. The resulting bacteria put people and animals at risk of disease.

Clutter spaces provide hiding spots and homes for rodents, so regular cleanup is a key part of prevention. Also important are removing food and water sources such as open garbage containers and overflowing ice machines. It is also helpful to seal off entry points. Mice can squeeze through holes the size of a dime, and rats can contort themselves into spaces as small as a quarter. Door sweeps, window and screen repairs and eliminating gaps around utility lines and boxes can all help keep the mice and rats out.

Rats and mice are persistent pests that can outwit basic rodent control tactics. This is why it is important to find a reputable pest control provider that will design an Integrated Pest Management plan specific to your needs.

Using traps and barriers, rodent baits, and other preventative methods, pest control professionals will create an effective strategy to rid your business of the rodents. In addition to providing protection from health risks and property damage, proper rodent control will also protect the local ecosystem.

Rodents can alter ecosystems by competing for resources, predating on native species and transmitting diseases that impact humans and other animals. In addition, invasive species such as mice and rats can contribute to the loss of biodiversity. Effective rodent control will reduce the negative impact of mice and rats on native species and preserve local ecosystems.

Rodents are sensitive to many types of chemical control and can be particularly suspicious of new objects such as traps, bait stations and trap doors. As a result, it can take time for the rodents to accept these new objects. Once they do, however, the traps and baits will act as a deterrent to them and reduce the overall infestation problem.

Health Issues

Rodents are a health risk because they can carry and spread a variety of pathogens that cause disease in humans. They directly transmit diseases through bite wounds, contaminated food or water from rodent urine and droppings, or from the ectoparasite vectors such as fleas, ticks, mites and fleas they carry and live with. They also contaminate food, cause fire hazards by chewing on electrical wires, and can exacerbate allergy and asthma conditions.

While rodents may seem cute and harmless, they can be a serious problem for homes and businesses. They damage property and destroy inventory by gnawing through wood, insulation and wiring. They can even start fires by chewing through flammable materials like cardboard. They are known to contaminate food and can trigger allergies due to their droppings, urine and saliva. They are carriers of numerous diseases, such as hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, salmonella, and the plague, and can cause respiratory illnesses such as bronchiopulmonary syndrome, rat bite fever, and hepatitis E.

Early detection and intervention is key to effective rodent control. Regular inspections can identify signs of a problem, such as droppings or gnaw marks. Other indicators include a musty odor, tracks, scurrying noises, and shredded material found in hidden areas such as attics and behind appliances. Rodents are nocturnal, so scratching sounds in walls or ceilings at night can also indicate a rodent infestation.

Sanitation and rodent proofing are the most important aspects of effective rodent control. It is crucial to eliminate the conditions that encourage an infestation, and then implement long-term methods of rodent control that include trapping and baiting. For heavy infestations, it is recommended to contact a pest control expert who can assist with sanitation, proofing and eradication. Our professionals can also provide regular monitoring, identifying conditions that attract rodents and helping to locate areas of entry, to avoid costly and extensive damage. This is called integrated pest management (IPM). The goal of IPM is to prevent rodents from gaining access to the home while using the least amount of toxic treatments. Contact us today to learn more about our rodent control services.

Structural Issues

Rodents gnaw on virtually anything to maintain their ever-growing incisor teeth, and unfortunately the structures of homes and businesses are not immune. This destructive habit weakens foundations, compromises electrical systems, creates entry points and damages insulation. It can also lead to the deterioration of pipes, which in turn causes water leaks and damages personal belongings.

Besides structural damage, rodents are known carriers of diseases like hantavirus and salmonella. They can spread these illnesses through urine, droppings, bites and saliva. Indirect contact through contaminated food and beverage can also cause significant problems for those who consume it. Seeking immediate pest control services at the first sign of a rodent infestation is vital.

Rodents enter buildings through cracks and gaps, and the best way to prevent this is to make your home inhospitable for these unwanted visitors. Block their entry points by checking for gaps around doors, windows, vents and where utilities enter your house. Seal them using materials like steel wool or caulk. Also, store food in sealed containers and clean up spills immediately. Keep bushes and tree branches cut back to reduce their hiding places.

Rats and mice seek shelter in small spaces, and they can squeeze through shockingly small openings. They may also chew through wires to create a path for entering the structure. If left unchecked, this can lead to an electric shock or fire hazard.

During construction or demolition, it is important to have a well-written rodent control specification and defined regulatory requirements in place. This will help to avoid displacement, and it will ensure that rodents are eliminated before work begins. It is also important that the specifications are followed throughout the duration of the project, and that they are maintained until all materials and equipment have been removed from the site.

Rodents are attracted to garbage and scraps, so it is important that trash is frequently taken out and that lids on containers are tightly secured. It is also important to regularly empty and wash trash receptacles. To discourage rodents, remove all weeds and overhanging vegetation from the exterior of the building, and keep it well swept.

SMART Boxes

A few cities are starting to take a modern approach to a centuries-old problem by deploying smart traps that use data tracking to improve the effectiveness of traditional pest control methods. For example, Somerville is partnering with Modern Pest Services (which owns Anticimex) to deploy 50 above-ground SMART boxes in four areas of the city as part of a five-month pilot program. The SMART Boxes electrocute rodents using an electrical current, instead of relying on poisons. They collect live data on rodent activity, and also provide a real-time view of trap status to help inform the city’s response.

These boxes are ideal for use in out-of-the-way, cramped places where rodents tend to hide. The devices also allow pest professionals to track activity at sites where a bait box might not be visible or accessible. The SMART Eye Mini, for example, is small enough to fit inside the tight spaces where rodents often nest in attics, crawlspaces and other out-of-the-way spots. The SMART Eye Mini can monitor for rodent activity up to 6.5 feet away. It can also send an alert when a rodent is detected, and it can record a video of the rodent to help identify the type of rodent.

In addition to improving the efficacy of pest management, the SMART Box system reduces costs for the customer and contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing the use of chemical pesticides. It also shifts the criteria for a pest control operator to drive to a site from rote schedules of checking bait boxes to actual detection of rodent activity. This cuts fuel consumption and carbon emissions, a benefit for commercial clients with environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets.

The SMART Boxes are being deployed at locations identified as high-rodent areas, including Davis Square, the Gilman Street area, Lexington Street and Macarthur Street. They’re part of a broader effort to address the issue, which includes a new baiting policy and additional measures aimed at reducing rat-related issues in business districts, residential neighborhoods, open spaces and other key settings.