A staggering 14.8 million US households said they’ve seen rodents at home from April 2020 to April 2021. In a previous survey, 2.9 million reported sightings of rats, mice, and roaches, too.
Many of those households, in turn, are in Seattle. Washington, after all, is home to 12 rodent species.
So if you’ve seen mice and rats in your home, it’s time to call a rodent pest control company. Read on as this guide covers the most crucial facts you need to know about such services.
Rodent Control Starts With Proper Identification
Of the rodent species found in Seattle, WA, three deal the most damage to homes. They include the house mouse, Norway rat, and roof rat (also called black rat).
It’s vital to identify which ones you have at home, as they use varying methods to invade buildings.
For example, roof rats enter homes by climbing trees and then jumping over to the roof (hence their name). By contrast, Norway rats like to stay outside, near garbage bins, only entering homes to look for food. On the other hand, house mice find their way in through cracks and holes in walls, floors, and foundations.
So if you’re not sure what rodent species you have, you may end up missing some (or all) their entry points.
That’s why it’s better to call one of the best pest control services in Seattle, WA, instead. You can expect them to scour your home for all potential entry points, from the roof to crawlspaces.
Low Chemical Treatments Are Available
The US is one of the world’s top pesticide users; in 2016 alone, it used 1.2 billion pounds of these chemicals. While helpful in controlling pests, they can poison humans and non-pest species. So, it’s no wonder they’re behind hundreds of poisoning incidents in the country each year.
That’s also why low-risk treatment is now a preferred method for pest control in Seattle, WA. This service involves using chemicals with the smallest environmental footprint. Examples are baits and traps, which are effective against rodents yet safer for kids and pets.
You Likely Need Home Repairs Too
Rodents have incisors (front teeth) that keep growing unless they chew on something. Moreover, their teeth are tough and sturdy, beating metals like copper, iron, and lead. That’s why it’s easy for them to go through and make holes in your home’s structural materials.
Unless you fix those damages, more of their kind (and even other pests) can enter your home. That’s a breeze to rats, as they can fit through a hole the size of a quarter. The same goes for mice since they can make it pass through a dime-sized gap.
Fortunately, some pest control companies offer those repairs as part of their services. So, be sure to ask your prospects and consider going with one that can fix rodent damages, too.
Never Postpone Rodent Pest Control
As a final note, know that mice and rats not only transmit diseases but can cause fires, too. That’s why it’s crucial to call a Seattle rodent pest control company as soon as you see them at home. Do the same if you hear phantom footsteps, squealing, or black droppings near your food.
The earlier you enforce rodent control, the sooner you can reduce their populations.
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