The Trick To Effective Rodent Control In Kittitas County

Do you know that there is a trick to effective rodent control? Are you aware that, when Kittitas County residents set traps for rodents, they're rarely successful at getting control of rodents? Today, we're going to discuss a few challenges you may face when setting down traps to catch mice or rats. We'll also take a look at a few DIY methods that will help you to get better results.

Traps Are Tricky

There are many traps available. You may get some old tried-and-true metal spring traps to catch your rodent intruders or you might try newer clip traps to get the job done. There are traps that lure rodents in and trap them inside. There are glue traps. You have a lot of choices. But trap manufactures don't tell you about all of the many ways their traps could fail you, it's bad for business. Here are a few facts you should know about traps:

• If you touch a trap with your hands, a rodent is likely to avoid it. Rodents can smell the oils from your skin on the traps you set.
• Rats are suspicious by nature. If you're dealing with a rat infestation, they may avoid traps that you put in an area that they commonly explore.
• Mice and rats typically run along walls because they have poor eyesight. They use their whiskers to feel their way, much in the same way a blind person uses a stick. If you place traps in the middle of an open space, you'll have less success.
• Mice and rats have food preferences. If you use the wrong food as bait, you'll have limited success.
• Rodents are quick. They're so quick that they can avoid the swinging spring arm of a spring trap. This is why you find traps that have sprung but there's no bait or rodent in the trap.
• Rodents are smart. If you kill a few of them, the others will learn quickly that your traps mean death.

Traps Aren't A Solution On Their Own

Let's say you purchase the right traps, bait them appropriately, and set them in the correct locations within your home. You could wake up and find rodents in your traps. This is great. You're winning the battle. But this is a battle of attrition. As you cull the rodent population in your home, more rodents can come into your home and replace the ones you've caught. Exclusions, sanitation, and exterior pest maintenance all work together to achieve complete rodent control.

• Exclusions — The application of caulking material, expanding foam, metal flashing, hardware cloth, and other materials keep rodents from getting inside.
• Sanitation — Mice and rats don't just eat fresh food. They're happy to eat food that is rotting. In fact, rotting food has a strong odor and this odor can attract rodents to your property. Trash management and keeping your home and property clean are essential for rodent control.
• Exterior Pest Maintenance — There are conditions around your home that can invite mice and rats to explore your exterior and get inside. If you reduce these attractants, you'll have an easier time keeping mice and rats from entering your home through tiny openings you've failed to seal, or chewing their way into your home through a vulnerable spot. Rake leaves. Remove brush piles. Keep stacked wood and stone away from your exterior. Remove lawn clutter. Remove unnecessary plants from your landscaping, such as weeds and grass. Address clogged gutters or gutter breaks. Get rid of bird feeders or move them at least 20 feet away from your exterior. All of these work to make your exterior less interesting to mice and rats.

Rodent Control Is A Science

Mice and rats can be difficult to control. They have strong teeth that allow them to chew through building materials. They can jump over a foot straight up in the air, and three to four feet horizontally. They scale trees, run down branches, and jump onto your roof. They work their way up through your downspouts and access your roof. They may even be able to run up the side of your home as easily as they run across the ground, depending on the exterior surface roughness. It is tough to keep rodents out if they're set on getting inside. It is also difficult to trap or bait them. When you want the best control, it is best to have a scientist deal with your problem. Licensed pest management professionals understand the science of rodent control and they use field-test methods and products to get control of mice and rats.

If you live in Kittitas County, reach out to us here at Prosite. We have some scientists on staff who can help you get complete control of your rodent problem. Reach out to us today for guidance or to request service. We can help!