We recently moved into a new house in the Bay Area and, despite having it fumigated and inspected before moving in (they found droppings but assured us there were no rodents), my husband discovered a really big rat this morning! We were hoping to avoid a rodent problem since we had one in our last home. Yesterday, we bought some prevention items like traps and peppermint spray, but we're at a loss about what to do next. Should we call in a professional pest control service right away, or try to deal with this ourselves first? Any tips on rodent prevention would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Sealing off any holes around the house is super crucial! Even more important than any traps or sprays you might have. Make sure to check the roof and foundation, as those are common entry points.
It sounds like your rats are outside, which makes it tricky to eliminate them completely. Start by removing potential food sources and setting up those snap traps instead of using poison since it can be dangerous and isn't very effective. Keep your lawn tidy and clear of debris where they might hide. If you have rats getting inside, I’d definitely recommend getting a pest control expert to check for entry points. They can seal those holes and help catch any that might be in your attic, too. Trust me, peppermint spray and noise deterrents don't work - rats are pretty smart!
Thanks for the detailed advice! Just to clarify, we're dealing with outdoor rats, but what's the reasoning behind avoiding poison?
Thanks for the advice! We think we might have sealed up the major ones already.