Three DIY Rodent Control Methods That Are Not Reliable

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When rodents get into a home they can be a lot of trouble. They bump around in attic spaces and scratch around in walls. They leave feces and urine in drawers, cabinets, pantries, and other places they explore. Rodents can introduce fleas, ticks, and other parasites to every corner of a home as they chew on insulation, sheetrock, wood, and other building materials. Worst of all, mice spread harmful bacteria and diseases. So it is a good idea to take action when you start to see signs of rodents in your home. We only hope that you'll take the right action. Here are a few unsuccessful ways people try to get rid of rodents, and why they don't work.

roof rats in new jersey

Rodent prevention through sanitation 

Keeping things clean is a great way to avoid attracting rodents, but it doesn't do a whole lot to make rodents go away. Your home offers more to rodents than just a place to dine. It is the perfect location to hide from predators. When mice move through your wall voids they don't have to worry about snakes gobbling them up. When rats get into your attic spaces, they don't have to worry about a large bird snatching them from the sky. Your home has lots of places to hide and explore in relative safety, even if you have a pet. But we'll get to that in a minute.

Your attempts to seal food in plastic containers will also fall short of dealing with rodents. Rats and mice are both capable of chewing through plastic. But, even it they don't, this is a pest control method that works to avoid attraction. It doesn't drive rodents out.

Pest prevention with cats

You may not realize this but not every cat is a mouser. That is to say, not every cat is inclined to chase rodents down and eat them. Sure, the vast majority of cats will be excited to play with a rodent that appears from a hole and scurries along the wall in the kitchen. But rodents are cautious creatures who want to discourage other animals from taking an interest in them. This will lead them to introduce themselves slowly to the animal. This can even lead to apathy on the part of a house cat.

Another problem Fluffy has is she can't get into your walls or climb in behind your kitchen cabinets. Rodents can go from attic spaces to kitchen drawers and cabinets without ever coming out into the open.

DIY pest prevention with store-bought rodent traps

This is a big one. The problem with traps is that they can actually be used as part of an effective rodent coProfesntrol plan. But they are often deployed wrong or used in a way that is ineffective.

What do we mean by ineffective?

When you put a trap in the right location, use the right bait, and find a mouse in that trap, you may think your problem has been resolved, especially if you're no longer hearing noises in your walls at night. But rodents don't normally make noise in a home. They are extremely quiet pests. That means you could continue to suffer with rodents and not even realize it. You would be amazed at how many people suffer with flu-like symptoms caused by rodents and think they just have the flu or a cold.

So what's the best rodent control solution?

Getting rid of rodents requires an understanding of the habits and habitats of rodents. It begins with a detailed inspection by which the professional pest control technician tracks down visible signs in the most probable locations. This is followed by a systematic capture and monitoring of rodents in the home. When the rodents are completely gone, your technician will know. Your technician is also aware of secondary pest pressures like ticks, fleas, mites, and other parasites and can advise you on these. Beyond all this, your technician knows that your exterior walls need to be sealed to prevent future infestations.

No home should ever have rodents. If you're seeing signs of rodents or hearing noises in your walls, find out if you're in our service area. We provide New Jersey pest control  for your homes and businesses with the highest level of rodent control service. We'll make sure those rodents are gone. For good.

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This program includes everything from the Home Protection Program - PLUS carpenter ant control and our termite monitoring advantage. Arrow will install a passive subterranean termite monitoring system at critical or conducive areas along the exterior perimeter foundation of your home. This system will include up to 4 in-ground subterranean termite monitoring stations. These stations will be serviced and inspected as part of your routine service.

Should the monitors indicate termite activity or termites occur within the home, Arrow will provide you with a termite treatment proposal at a 50% discounted rate, and you will be upgraded to Arrow Premier at the current prevailing rate.

  • Is a year-round program that provides full interior and exterior service.
  • Service includes a one-time interior service per year and two exterior treatments.
  • Covers your entire property* including the attic, mailbox, playset, shed, and fence.
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Pests targeted with Arrow’s Home Protection Program Plus includes all the pests included in the Home Protection Program PLUS carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, and acrobat ants.

*If you have a pool house that requires service, pricing would increase based upon the size of the structure.
*Termite monitoring advantage is not applicable in over-55 communities
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‟Arrow and Brian with Arrow were amazing! He came same day when we heard scary noises in our attic. He found mice and a loose wire and even took a photo so we could see. He worked hard to crawl into a tiny space and we are so appreciate!! We can sleep tonight thanks to him.”
Dr. Lisa L.
East Brunswick, NJ
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