You know you hear it. You’ve been hearing it for over a week now. It’s coming from the garage, but where exactly? It’s hard to tell. It sounds like a mix of crumpled up old newspapers and a metal file shaving away at a linoleum tile. If you only knew what was actually taking place within the walls of your garage, you wouldn’t be so calm right now.
Just ignore it. Whatever it is will go away… won’t it? That’s what you think until you do your laundry, only to find that something has nibbled through all of the plastic piping. One enormous repair bill later, maybe then it will finally sink in that you may have a small or even huge rodent problem.
Houston, We Have a Problem
No rodent problem is actually small. They may look small, but rats, mice and even squirrels and raccoons can cause very LARGE problems. They have been known to cause major damage to property, eat through plastic pipes and gnaw through wiring which ultimately, if left unnoticed, can cause a fire and burn down your house or business. But… for some reason you feel guilty killing your pest. We are all on this earth, trying to survive, right? Well…
Catching and releasing your problem pest may sound well and good, but in many cases, you’re just adding to the problem. By moving your rat or mouse out into a nearby field, you’re allowing it to breed. Rats can have litters of up to 14 new babies. Thankfully they typically only have about four litters in their lifetime, but 56 new baby rats aren’t anything to scoff at. Mice, however, can have upwards of 360 new little pink-nosed pests in their lifetime. And you know what happens when that field you set your pesky new friend free it gets too cramped? Expect more visitors.
Rodent Control
Okay, rats, mice, babies… sure that can be a problem, but what about other pests like squirrels and raccoons? For one, you must have a permit to trap and relocate a squirrel in the state of California. Once again there is a good possibility of a squirrel returning. You need to travel at least ten miles away, dropping them off at night in a field, to prevent a squirrel from possibly returning. And really, if you were that squirrel, how would you feel? And, if that squirrel already has a nest near your house, there’s no stopping her return.
Raccoons are the same way. You also have to have a permit/license to trap a raccoon in the state of California and many other states. Also, unlike they’re squirrely counterparts, raccoons have been known to travel much further, up to 75 miles, in order to find a good den location. It’s very doubtful that if you do manage to trap your raccoon freeloader that he or she will stay away for long.
There is also a serious problem of introducing a wild animal into a new environment. Not only are you adding an enormous amount of stress to the creature, but you’re also putting it at risk of catching a disease or it introducing a disease to the new environment.
You Can Make a Difference
What can you do to get rid of these pests without killing them? How about keeping them from stopping by your home in the first place? By making sure to clean up pet foods, keep fruit trees well managed and keep debris away from around your home, you will be less likely visited by any pests. As an added measure, use ultrasonic pest control devices that help detour rodents and other pests from wanting to come near your property.
If that doesn’t work, and you’ve run out of options, then it’s time to call in a professional. AIPM’s team of highly trained and certified professionals know how to handle all of your pest control problems. From arachnids to lizards, mice, raccoons to woodpeckers, the professionals at AIPM have you covered. They can design a program that will completely cover your property and keep it pest free, so you don’t have to worry again. Contact us today with any questions and don’t forget to sign up for your free consultation here.
Sources:
- https://wdfw.wa.gov/living/rats.html
- https://www.colonialpest.com/rats-are-neophobic/
- https://discovermagazine.com/2006/dec/20-things-rats
- https://www.youaskandy.com/questions-answers/30-article-series-1970/10423-how-many-babies-does-a-mouse-have-per-year-.html
- https://www.pest-control-products.net/783/squirrels/does-the-law-allow-you-to-kill-squirrels/
- https://www.squirrelremovalsolutions.com/squirrel-babies.html
- https://unexco.com/popups/release.html
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