Chicago is without a doubt a beautiful part of the country. There are so many bustling buildings, scenic parks, tons of great schools, and the residents are a one of kind. However, living in the Chicago area you might find yourself battling rats and mice from time to time. Living with a rodent can be a very unpleasant and overall stressful. Not only do they get in your food and leave a mess, but also they could potentially get inside your walls and cause thousands of dollars worth of plumbing, electrical, or drywall repairs. This is why it is completely imperative to know everything that you possibly can about rats and mice and how to control them.
Properly Identifying A Rat Problem
When it comes to rat and mice control in Chicago the first thing that you need to know is how to identify that you have a problem. Any expert will tell you that rats are nocturnal, so they are going to be up and active while you are asleep. These rodents also stay well-hidden during the daytime, so they can be incredibly hard to spot. In fact, it is entirely possible that you might be dealing with a full-blown infestation and not even realize it. Norway rats and roof rats are the two most common species of rats that you will find in the greater Chicago area, and they can be extremely destructive, so it is important to locate and identify them as quick as possible. If you see any of the following signs this is a good chance that you are dealing with an infestation:
- Live or dead rats
- Rat droppings around dog, cat, or human food
- Rustling and scratching noises during the night
- Wood or electrical wiring that has been gnawed on
- Smudge marks on the walls
- Burrows in the home, garage, or shed
Inspection, Sanitation, And Exclusion
Now, that you know how to identify a rat or mice problem it is time to learn how to get rid of these little critters. Rat & mice control in Chicago starts with inspection, sanitation, and exclusion. Start by inspecting the home and looking for the above-mentioned signs. This will give you a good ideal as to where you need to start placing traps. Exclusion is a step that was designed to make it harder for rats and mice to get into the home. You want to make sure that all the cracks and openings around the home or in the walls are caulked or properly sealed. Keep in mind that rats are much larger than mice, so it is harder for them to gain access to some areas.
Sanitation will be the last step to the whole process. Make sure that you aren’t leaving any open food bags just lying around the home. Put all food like potato chips or cereal that is located in plastic bags in Rubbermaid containers, so rats and mice can’t gain access to them. Without water, food, and shelter it is going to be impossible for any rat or mouse to survive, which is the main goal when it comes to rat & mice control in Chicago.
