How to prevent the rodent problem?
Rodents are generally associated with unhygienic spaces and areas. So the first and best step to prevent this problem is to keep your home clean and sanitised as much as possible.
- Start by cleaning out all rubbish bins indoor & outdoor with disinfectant and hot water.
- Get rid of all food scraps that have been left out around the house
- Store all pantry goods and pet food in air tight metal containers. This will prevent the rodents from getting into your food.
- Remove yard waste. This will discourage them from nesting or finding shelter outside on your property.
source: google images
(If you have fruit trees and nut trees, it is advised to clean up the fallen fruit and nuts to prevent the rodents from eating them and coming back for more.)
- If you have pets, bring their water & food bowls inside to stop the rodents from eating it and spreading diseases.
- Keep all spare blankets, rugs, pillows or any similar fabric are kept in a heavy wooden or metal box. This will prevent them from making a nest.
- Look around the outside of the house for any small openings & cracks that a rat or mouse can get into(approx. 0.6 cm) You can use a combination of Steel Wool and caulks to stop the rodents from chewing their way into the house.
(steel wool, Source: Pestrol AU)
Listed below are the types of materials that rodents can chew through:
- Aluminium
- Cardboard
- Cinder-blocks
- Clothing
- Concrete
- Electrical wiring
- Water Pipes
- Wood
Signs and symptoms i.e. do I have a problem?
The most common signs of rodent activity in the home are listed below:
- Rodent droppings (faeces)
- Urine odours
- Gnawed holes in food containers, pantries & cupboards etc.
- Nesting
- Scattering/ scurrying sounds within the walls, roof space or floors
- Unusual pet behaviour
Yes I do, how can I address it myself?
Rats’ sensory organs have the ability to pick up certain chemicals in the environment that affect their behaviour. Certain smells make them think that there is a possible predator around or there are dangerous chemicals in their environment. Manipulating their sense of smell can make them leave your home.
You can use a cotton ball and soak it in one of the following oils to deter rats and mice away:
- Peppermint
- Bergamot
- Eucalyptus
- Citronella
Although having a rodent infestation is nothing unusual, their presence inside your place can be distressing. Furthermore, rats and mice can cause significant damage to property and are known to carry diseases that could infect both humans and their pets.
Just like other pests, the best rodent control method is prevention – it’s cheaper and easier to do than controlling an already established infestation. But before we get to the tips on how you can ensure rodents don’t get into your home, let’s first take a look at what attracts them in the first place.
What attracts rodents?
There are two reasons why rodents (and other pests) invade your home:
- Food. Human dwellings always have plenty of food which makes them very attractive to pests.
- Shelter. Your house provides the warmth and protection rodents require to thrive and reproduce.
Top tips on rodent prevention
Here are our top ten tips to help you effectively keep rodents out of your place.
- Seal all potential entry points. Rodents can squeeze through the smallest of spaces. Check exterior walls for cracks and crevices and ensure that they are all sealed. Pay close attention to areas where utility pipes and wiring enter the building as gaps may develop over time.
- Install door sweeps for doors that open to the outside. Rodents will easily squeeze through the spaces under your doors so ensure you have sweeps installed to cover this gap. Space under the garage door is also quite big and could allow even bigger animals to enter so make sure this is sealed too.
- Screen your windows and other vents. Windows provide an easy access point for rodents looking for a place to set up camp. Ensure that all windows that are close to the ground are screened and have no gaps around them. The chimney opening, vents and other openings which open to the outside should also be covered with mesh wire.
- Keep your firewood at least 20ft from your house. Firewood and any other clutter placed close to your house provide a good place for rodents to hide. The closer they are to your house, the more likely they are to get an opportunity to sneak in.
- Trim tall bushes and tree limbs near your roof. Bushes and tree limbs that could provide a platform for rodents to get to your roof should be trimmed to at least six feet away from your house.
- Clean areas where food is prepared, cooked, and/or consumed. Leftovers and crumbs provide nourishment for rodents which encourages them to stick around. Make sure all areas that have food are well cleaned and all food is cleared.
- Wash your dishes. Dishes should be washed after every meal or daily. This denies rodents that might sneak in food and gives them a good reason to move on.
- Store dry foods, pet food, and food waste in secure containers. Store all the mentioned foods in containers that cannot be accessed by rodents. Also, clear your pets bowl as soon as it’s done eating, don’t leave the food out overnight.
- Keep your lawn tidy and food free. Make sure your property is tidy and devoid of food. If you have fruits and vegetables growing here, make sure they are picked as soon as they are ready. Rodents could live inside your home and go out to feed at night.
- Avoid clutter inside your house. Rats and mice are skittish in nature which makes cluttered spaces ideal for nesting. Make sure your home is clutter free by keeping things in cabinets, closets, or dressers.
That didn’t work, how can your products help me?
Pestrol’s electronic products are specially designed to produce high ultrasonic frequencies that target & attack the rodent’s nervous system.
The high frequency sound creates a very uncomfortable environment for the rodents making it impossible to live their everyday life inside your home.
We also have a range of baits & bait stations as well as traps.
To find out which product will suit your exact requirement, click here>>
Listed below are the products that will repel the rodents from your home:
We have discounted packaged deals which you can have a look here.
Electronic Rodent Control
Pestrol Rodent Free Pro – Goes through walls & ceiling, perfect for Homes/offices
Ultrasonic/Electronic/Ionic technologies, this is a silent device that doesn’t disturb pets, children or elders & works against rats, mice & cockroaches.
Pestrol Impact Ultrasonic Repeller – Perfect for Open spaces up to 200 sq. m
Ultrasonic technology repels rats/mice/cockroaches from the garage/attic/ceiling area.
Pestrol 360 pest Repeller – Perfect for open spaces up to 400 sq. m
Ultrasonic technology repels rats/mice/cockroaches from the garage/warehouse/ceiling area.
Rat Assassin – Electrocutes the rat
This unit electrocutes the rat when it steps on the base plate to take the bait, also has a light indicator on the unit.
Ultrasonic Battery Powered Rodent Repeller – Perfect for places with no mains power availability
Disc shape unit which covers up to 185 sq. m and repels the rats/mice from open spaces
Commercial Rodent Repeller – Perfect for commercial larger spaces up to 800 sq. m
Strong ultrasonic sound waves repel rodents out of your large open properties like warehouses, supermarkets etc.
Vehicle Rodent Repeller – Perfect to repel rodents from your car/campervan
Ultrasonic device which gets attached to your car battery starts working as soon as your car ignition turns off.
Elite Solar Yard Repeller OR Indoor/Outdoor Yard Repeller – Perfect for rats outside house
Pestrol Sonic Pest Repeller – Humane and effective way to repel rodents & pest animals from open areas.
Ultrasonic soundwaves affect rats and they get repelled from outdoor area.
Rodent Traps
Effective & Humane way of trapping troublesome rodents.
Black Rat Trap,
Silver Rat Trap,
Mice Multi Catch Trap
Snap Rat Trap
Snap Mouse Trap
Hidden Kill Trap
Poisonous Baits & Stations
Baits & Bait Stations – If you want to kill the rats with poison
Contrac Rodent Bloc 1.8kg & 28g/12 packs : Second generation poison, kill’s rats & mice within 2 hours.
Pindone Rat/Possum pellets 2kg: first grade anti-coagulant, rats/mice have to overdose on it, they die in 6-7 days.
Bait Stations – BY LAW, Baits must only be used in Bait Stations.
Tomcat Mouse Bait Station
Tomcat LP bait station,
Tomcat rodent station,
Pied piper rat bait station.
I still do not know…HELP!
Not a problem!
Give us a call on 0800 88 88 44 or 09 415 0559
Or drop us an email on saleslifestylefocus.co.nz