Do I have a rat problem?

What a nuisance rodents would be when they get into your house! Rodents, rats and mice do a lot of damage to your property structure, insulation, pipes and even electrical wiring. They scurry in our walls and above our heads during the night and reproduce rapidly. The question is that how can you know if you have rodents, rats or mice in your house or office? Well, I am going to tell you some signs! First of all, if you heat scampering or gnawing sounds at night in the attic or behind walls, then what that could be? Possibly these small pests: Rodents, Rats or Mice! If you have seen gnawing on food boxes and walls around pipes or ducts, or smudge marks on walls, then that’s the time to call a professional pest control exterminator. Search on Google for a pest control company and call them. You can use keywords like “pest control Melbourne” or “Rodent control Melbourne” (if you live in Melbourne) and you will see a list of pest control companies. Check their certificates, customer ratings, service areas and of course, price! Then ask them for a Rodent/Rat/Mice control service.

But how do rats and mice get in to your house? It’s easy question! They are very small pests and can gain access through holes as small as a pencil! They can climb up trees near buildings or pipes even to access roofs. Rodents and rats can get in to your property through pet doors, holes in walls, small opening around pipes, through vents and via roof.

If you want to keep rats and mice out of your house and property: seal all holes, cracks, voids and vents. You need to cover ducts with fine mesh and fit brush strips to base of external doors. Adoption of high levels of sanitation and hygiene, is always an effective practice and solution for controlling unwanted pests and preventing them. So remove all food and water sources in garden and yard and cover bins with proper lids. It is a good idea to move stored firewood away from the house and keep house tidy and clear.

Doing your own pest control

It is not always as easy as you may read in many “do-it-yourself pest control” blog posts or websites. Did you know that it may also be very dangerous or even deadly! If you are going to do your own pest control, you need to take required safety precautions, be very careful and aware of possible dangers.

In some situations, you may use pesticides to control or remove unwanted pests. Pesticides are toxic. These materials need to be used and applied with great care. If you use them carelessly they may damage your health or the health of your family. They may also damage the environment or your home. In some conditions, you may use some pest control devices or special product packages that may also be very dangerous. There are a lot of reported deadly incidents where pest control products or devices are used by unprofessional unqualified people or even carelessly. Due to the potential risks involved in handling pesticides, anyone who uses pesticides is required to pass certain training courses and hold a Licence to use pesticides.

I read an article in a news website (source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8503096/cockroaches-1-melbourne-thai-0) that a cockroach 'bomb' blowed up a Thai restaurant. Staff at the Melbourne CBD restaurant, activated 10 cockroach bombs after the restaurant closed on Saturday night. An unknown ignition source caused the bombs to explode, blowing the back door off its hinges, destroying an internal wall and shattering a second storey window. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade reported that a staff member at the restaurant suffered minor cuts from shattered glass in the explosion, which occurred about 12.50am on Sunday.

This is not the first time a restaurant has exploded by the staff using cockroach bombs purchased from a supermarket. They tried to save money, but lost many more! If you have a pest control problem or need pest inspection, it is easier and of course safer to contact a professional pest control company in your area. Following are some safety precautions and recommendations.

• Always follow recommendations provided by the professional pest control operator carefully.
• Use only a licensed pest control operator.
• Obtain the full chemical name of the pesticide to be used – in case of an emergency; this will assist with first aid.
• Ensure food, clothes or furniture are covered or removed from the area to be treated.
• Ensure that all doors and windows are closed if the pesticide is to be applied outdoors.
• Vacate the premises while the pesticide is mixed and applied, and until the pesticide is dry.
• Advise your neighbours in advance of any external pesticide treatments.