Peak time for Rat and Mice infestations is starting!

Rats and mice are able to reproduce at unbelievable rates as shown in the videos below.  It is important to take care of these problems as quickly as possible.  Don't wait to start trapping them when the population is so large that the trapping process will take so long that they reproduce faster than you can trap them, or worse they become trap shy.  In some cases rats cam even become bait shy making them very difficult to poison. 

Rats and mice forage for food in garbage and will even use sewers as avenues to get from place to place.  Because of this they are exposed to all kinds of bacteria and disease.  Rats are carriers for over 70 diseases.  Rats are often linked to the Bubonic Plague in the Middle Ages, and today they are still a threat to human health. So take rodent problems seriously. 

Boston Restaurants Infested with Rats


New York KFC infested with Rats


Nova/PBS special on Rats


Guinness World Record for Mouse Plague


So how do you avoid having serious rat problems?

1.  Minimize their opportunities for food.  Keep pet food in sealed rat proof containers.  Set out food only when they eat.  Don't allow grazing.  Bird feeders are big attractants.  If you must use them, use rodent proof feeders.  Clean up the yard of pet waste.  Rats are recyclers and even dog droppings make a sufficient meal.
2.  Seal up the house.  Copper wool,  Pur Expanding Foam are excellent for minimizing rodent access.  Use the Black Foam at roof lines and be sure to get an applicator gun and Gun Cleaner.
3.  Get rid of the population.  There are many traps available for rats and mice. Including standard traps, live traps,  T-Rex, Snap-E, Rat Zapper, and Glue Boards.  For mice there are many of the same options in a smaller size including standard mouse traps, tin cat, mouse master, kwik katch and live traps..  Be sure that what you are dealing with are mice and not just young roof rats.  Using undersized traps for rats may allow you to catch a few young rats, but will ensure you have an impossible time catching older more weary adults.  When this happens only live traps seem to work.   I see this mistake made daily by homeowners. 
4.  Just like restaurants and warehouses use bat stations around the perimeter of  the home.  Especially if you insist on feeding birds.  This station can be placed directly under a bird feeder, and curious rats and mice will find their way in and feed on the bait.  This also protects  non target animals from getting into the bait. 
5.  If you have had problems in the past, using repellents around the home, dog pens and garbage can be very helpful at masking old scent trails left by previous visitors.  Rats travel by scents, not sight.  So using the rat and mice repellent is very effective at keeping them out of an area.