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Australian Animals In Your Roof At Night
October 3, 2021
You may be tempted to think that your house is haunted if every day in the dead of night you…
You may be tempted to think that your house is haunted if every day in the dead of night you hear noises in your roof. The strange sounds coming from your roof every night are not from ghosts but rather an indication that a wild animal has found a home up there.
Wild animals are a beautiful component of the environment and are even protected by stringent laws. Unfortunately, these animals sometimes become a nuisance when they invade our homes, forcing us to eliminate or repel them.
The roof usually provides a safe haven for animals because we give little attention to what happens there. Most wild animals that find their way into our roof cavities and spaces tend to be nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. But, would we be fine living with wild animals in our roof spaces if they never made the noises that interrupt our sleep when we need it most? Well, maybe that would be the case if living with wild animals in our homes had no other associated problems beyond just noise.
Regrettably, these animals are dangerous pests capable of damaging our homes by causing fire and transmitting deadly diseases to us. You should not therefore ignore the presence of these pests in your home.
As soon as you identify signs that indicate their presence, contact trusted pest management companies in your locality for inspection and control. It is important that your hire experts who are authorised by law to provide professional pest solutions that secure your home from these wild animals without causing harm to them.
Before you call pest or wildlife control professionals to your home to inspect the source of noise in your roof, it is important to have an idea of what the animal could be. This article provides information on animals that are likely to live in roofs in Australia including:
- How to tell when pests have invaded your roof
- How wild animals access your roof
- Structural and health problems associated with having wild animals in your roof
- Wild animal diseases that can be transmitted to you when they live in your roof
- How to get rid of pest animals from your roof
- How to identify the pest that has invaded your home
- Professional commercial and residential pest control services in Adelaide
How Do I Tell That Pest Animals Have Made A Home In My Roof
It is always long after the wild animals have colonised our roofs that we become aware of their presence. This is because we pay little attention to the roof and we hardly notice any strange activities up there until it is manifested as unpleasant noises that interrupt our night sleep. How then do you tell signs of animals in your roof before it is too late?
Here is a brief checklist that can help you tell that pest animals have made a home in your roof:
- When you hear hissing, crawling or scratching sounds in your walls or roof space it is an indication that a wild animal may be living in your home
- Signs of chewing on your soffit, siding or gutter
- Animal droppings
- Stained ceilings and walls, usually from urine and droppings
- Animal odours
- Feathers and hairs
If you observe any or a combination of the above signs, you definitely have a wild animal problem in your home or property. This is the time to contact wildlife control professionals who understand where and what to look for.
Native Animals That Are Most Likely To Live In Your Roof Cavity
In Australia, roof cavities and voids provide conducive environments for rats and mice, possums and pest birds to live in. this is because most of their natural habitats have been cleared for development and farming.
Rats and Mice
Rats and mice are a big problem in Australia since their introduction by European settlers. They have the ability to climb high up the building and access the roof.
Possums
Possums are native to Australia and even though they are tree dwelling animals, they are a common pest found in roofs. Approximately 23 known possum species live in Australia. Species of possum that you are likely to find in your roof include: brushtail possums and ringtail possums.
Naturally, possums will sleep in tree hollows or high up on trees. But because tree hollows take long to form on trees and a few that are existing have been cleared to pave way for development, possums find it convenient to nest in roofs.
Pest Birds
Common pest birds that are most likely to live in your roof in Australia include: pigeons, seagulls, house sparrows, starlings, and Indian mynas. Some of these birds nest in large numbers and can cause a serious problem when they infest your property.
How Do Wild Animals Access And Live In The Roof?
Most of the wild animals found in our roofs are either good climbers or have the ability to fly as well as squeeze through small gaps. Ventilation gaps provide convenient entry points for these animals.
Rats and mice, for example, are good climbers and can access the roof by climbing vertical walls, hanging tree branches and thin cables or wires. Due to their flexible body and soft skeleton, they are also able to squeeze through narrow gaps and access the roof.
Roof spaces and cavities provide entry points for possums into our roofs where they establish their nests.
Pest birds mostly enter the roof through damaged areas where mortar has cracked and fallen off. Damaged roofing can also provide entry point to the roof spaces for birds.
Problems Of Having Animals Living In Your Roof
Your safety and that of your home is compromised by the presence of wild animals in your roof.
- The unpleasant noises from these animals make our homes uncomfortable especially at night since our sleep is interrupted.
- Animal droppings and urine stain our ceilings and walls thereby defacing our properties.
- Possums and rodents like rats and mice chew through wire insulation. This is a safety hazard as it exposes electrical wires increasing chances of short circuiting and fire.
- The unpleasant and irritating pungent odours from animal droppings and urine creates discomfort at home.
- When these animals trap themselves in the roof cavities or wall spaces, they end up dying and decomposing. The smell that comes from decaying rats, possums, and birds is terrible.
- Presence of animals in your roof attracts other bugs and pests likes mites and fleas.
- Wild animals carry zoonotic diseases and can contaminate our food and water supplies through their urine and droppings. Bacteria such as leptospirosis and salmonella and viruses like hantavirus can be transmitted to us from rodents. The main transmission pathway is when we ingest or inhale dust contaminated by their urine or droppings.
- Also, food poisoning in our homes can result from contamination by these animals making us ill.
- Rat and mice droppings are potential asthma triggers in children.
How To Get Rid Of Pest Animals In Your Roof
The most effective way to get rid of wild animals from your roof and even to avoid re-infestation is by using the services of professional pest or wildlife control companies. Solutions provided by these professionals vary greatly depending on which pest has infested your home. Pest proofing is however the ultimate way to keep wild animals away from your roof. After trapping and removing these animals, pest proofing your roof ensures you do not experience re-infestations.
In Australia you do not have an option of doing it yourself (DIY) when it comes to the removal of possums and pest birds. The only DIY you can do is implementing preventive measures to ensure possums and pest birds do not nest in your roof. Acceptable methods of bird control as well as species designated as protected or pest birds vary from state to state. This makes bird control in Australia complicated and can only be done with the help of licensed professionals.
As possums are native to Australia, there are strict regulations around their correct removal from commercial and residential homes. There are specifically designed possum traps and it is a requirement that once captured they must be released into safe custody within 24 hours. Possum boxes can be constructed on trees so that they may find a place to nest away from your roof.
When you have wild animals in your roof, it can be stressful and it is much more reassuring to call pest control professionals to take care of the infestation. If you, however, choose to do it yourself (DIY), you can follow these tips to deter these animals from your roof.
Rats and Mice
- Deny them access by identifying and blocking gaps and holes located high up on your building/rooftop and near the ground
- Deny them all access to food and water in case they gain entry to your home
- Keep your lawn short and vegetation around your home trimmed to deny rats and mice nesting grounds near your home as well as means of climbing to the roof
- Use rodent baits to trap and remove them from your home
Possums
- Maintain plants that possums love to feed on and shelter in around your garden
- Construct and put up nest boxes to provide a nesting place for possums away from your roof
Pest Birds
- Deny them access by sealing entry holes during winter when they are not nesting
How To Identify The Type Of Pest That Has Invaded Your Home
Before contacting professional pest control companies in your locality, you should have an idea of what pest you are dealing with.
Using online pest identifier tools is the most convenient way of identifying the pest in your home.
These online tools help you to identify your pest by:
- What it does: Biting or attacking
- How many legs it has
- How it moves: Flying or crawling
- The sound it makes
- Droppings
Using the identification tool, you can then list the animal that fits your description. For example:
- Rats and mice produce gnawing or scratching sounds and void black spindle-shaped droppings
- Possums produce vocal and scratching sounds and droppings the size of jellybeans which are brown and sometimes have eucalyptus smell
- Birds produce vocals and flapping sounds and droppings that mess the entire attic
Professional Commercial And Residential Pest Control Services
In order to combat pest problems in your home, hire licensed professionals who offer intelligent solutions for pest control. Professional pest management services includes inspection and treatment of pest infestations in both commercial and residential properties.
You should hire a company with technicians trained to Australian and international standards and who are able to tailor their services to suit your needs as much as possible.
In Adelaide the company that meets the above criteria is Pest Aid. It is a South Australian family owned and operated pest control company with many years of experience in inspection and treatment of the following pest infestations:
- Rodents
- Termites
- Possums
- Spiders
- Cockroaches
- Flies
- Mosquitoes
- Ants
- Wasps
- Bees
- Birds
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What Is Pest Control?
October 3, 2021
Pests are a huge problem in nearly every part of the world. The method used to control pests depends on…
Pests are a huge problem in nearly every part of the world. The method used to control pests depends on the extent of damage they cause and the costs involved. Pest control is a complex ecological process that involves both physical and chemical mechanisms. It involves prevention of entry, settling, and infestation of pests in a particular area. Effective methods of control provide a system that can monitor, detect, and eradicate pests.
Need For Pest Control
The need for pest control is evident from the damage done by pests in the past few years. Rodents and insects are carriers of various disease-causing pathogens. Many carry viruses and bacteria that can cause severe illnesses that would be very expensive to treat. They can infest your kitchen, bathroom or bedroom and even bite you or your pets.
Pest control is essential for the well-being of ecology and human health. They can cause devastating damage to properties and agricultural areas. There are different control methods available on the market depending on the type of pest wrecking havoc in your property or farm.
Pests like mice, cockroaches, and lizards make themselves comfortable in your home and multiply really fast before you know they are there. It only takes a few of them to start a colony. They multiply themselves within a few days and contaminate your belongings. It is, therefore, necessary to eradicate any pest in your home.
The primary purpose of using pest control methods in your home, office, garden or yard is to keep its occupants safe and healthy. They can contaminate your food and various daily-use items. Some pests can worsen existing medical conditions like asthma.
Different Types Of Pests
Pests belong to various subcategories of the animal kingdom. Some prominent examples of pests include spiders, rodents, and wasps. Each one of these categories requires a specific control approach.
Spiders
Certain spiders and bugs carry pathogens such as salmonella and E.coli, that can cause serious intestinal and urinary tract infection. The discarded body parts of these insects can also cause problems for people with lung problems. If you find one or two crawling or flying around in the house, it is not a big problem. It possible that you brought them home with you, unknowingly.
However, if you see a large number of them roaming around your kitchen, bathroom or other areas of the house, and you fail to get rid of them as soon as possible, they might get out of hand. This is often the first sign that an infestation is about to happen in your home. In this case, you need to call in an exterminator to help you get rid of all the pest in your house.
Rodents
Rodents can cause severe damages to property. They are also known spread various viral and bacterial diseases. When the infestation is serious, they can leave traces of faeces in your food and other items.
If you eat food contaminated with droppings, you might get really sick. Rodent control is essential for safety.
Rodents like rats are carriers of the Hantavirus and bubonic plague. They also carry various other dangerous pathogens like salmonella. Rats can also cut electrical wires, and in some cases cause damage crops.
Rodents move a lot, and in the process, they gather fleas and other microscopic disease-causing agents. These animals should be kept as far away from your home as possible to ensure good health. You can contact an exterminator to help you control rats.
Wasps
Wasps do not spread diseases, but they sting. The sting can be fatal to a person with a weak immunity. The viciousness and aggression of wasps is the reason they are categorized as insect pests. As such, they need to be controlled because an infestation would make your home inhabitable.
Wasps do not cause harm until you provoke them. When provoked, wasps sting multiple times. They are especially dangerous to people who are allergic to their sting. If a wasp or bee stings an allergic person, they can die within a few minutes. Therefore, it is essential to keep them away from your home. Make sure that you remove wasp nests or colonies as soon as you find them.
Methods Of Pest Control
The following are the most popular methods of pest control:
- Biological pest control
- Mechanical pest control
- Physical pest control
- Trap cropping
- Poisoned bait
- Field burning
- Use of pesticides
Ancient Methods Of Pest Control
Ancient Egyptians used pest-destroying animals to protect themselves from the ill effects of pests. For example, they used cats to control mice. This method is still used today to keep rats away from fields and houses. It is an excellent alternative to some expensive pest control methods.
Modern Methods Of Pest Control
Modern pest control techniques include the following:
Biological Pest Control
Biological methods of pest control are popular among exterminators because they are natural and quite effective. They can reduce the number of pests without causing side effects to the environment.
Biological control includes addition of certain pest-killing bacteria into water. This water can kill insects, but it is still safe for humans to drink. The primary purpose of using biological methods is to kill harmful species without impacting human health.
Mechanical Pest Control
Mechanical pest control methods include devices, machinery, and equipment to eliminate troublesome or harmful pests. The most common technique under this category, and one used a lot by farmers is creating a barrier between plants and the problems. This barrier acts as a protective layer that keeps pests out. This method is used in commercial pest control.
Mechanical pest control is quite similar to physical pest control. In this method, the pest managers attack pests prevent them from multiplying and spreading further. Thus, they help avoid further destruction of plants.
If you want to protect your property from unwanted invaders, your primary goal should be to remove that would encourage them to spread. Such things include heaps of garbage, standing water and other useless items.
Field Burning
Field burning is a traditional method of controlling the spread of pests. In this method, a field is burnt completely after harvest. This removes any remains or dead bodies of pests present at that place. This method also eliminates all pest eggs from the field, so there is no chance of harmful pests regrouping, multiplying and causing destruction. This type of pest control management is very efficient as it eliminates pests completely.
Trap Cropping
Trap cropping is a creative method of controlling pests. In this method, a plant is grown in the field and its job is to attract harmful pests towards itself distracting them from other valuable plants. Once the pests gather around the plant, it becomes easier for pest managers to control or kill them.
Pesticides
Integrated pest management is an effective and environmentally sensitive method of pest management. It involves a combination of logical and common-sense practices. This method uses data about the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment to control their spread.
It involves controlled use of pesticides, which is why it is considered one of the best examples of integrated pest management and control. Pesticides work best for controlling commercial pests at places where all other methods fail. The use of pesticides is common, and anyone can adopt it.
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What Sound Does A Possum Make?
October 3, 2021
Possums are cat-sized scavengers with four paws, a hairless tail, and a pointy snout. They are commonly referred to as…
Possums are cat-sized scavengers with four paws, a hairless tail, and a pointy snout. They are commonly referred to as possums in written form. They have a life span of around two years. Their name came from their ability to “play possum” when they feel threatened; they mimic a dead animal in appearance and smell when in the way of harm.
Generally, they do not overstay in one place unless a mother possum makes a home for her babies. Typically, they go through your yard to look for water and food before moving on to another location.
Possums can be bad news for your home, garden, and poultry, especially chicken. If you have a garden with ripe fruits and vegetables, they might just be your unwelcomed visitors for an extended period. Besides destroying your crops, messing with your garbage, and feasting on your chicken, possums also make unpleasant sounds at night, depending on their mood.
Common Brushtail Possum Sounds
Can you remember that heavy thump and unearthly shriek that scared you in the middle of the night, thinking you have ghosts in your home? Yes, that one! You can now relax as today you will learn that it was probably a family of common brushtail possums.
Possums are mainly active at night. These pests are usually quiet when alone, so when you hear them at night, it means they are multiple of them nearby. Possums make different sounds. Below you will find a list of some of the noises made by possums.
Baby Possums
A baby possum is usually a few inches long. They make hissing or clicking noises when seeking the attention of their mother. When the mother leaves the attic, baby possums make chirping sounds similar to that of birds out of fear. Other than that, they do not make any other sounds.
Female Possums
Female possums make clicking sounds to their young ones as a form of communication. They also make a ‘choo-choo’ sound to call out to their young ones. Female possums make a clicking noise when they want to attract males to mate.
Male Possums
Possums make high-pitched squeals when fighting. Similarly, male brushtail possums make loud noises when mating to warn other males in their range. They also make a ‘shook-shook’ sound when courting females.
Threatened Possums
When possums feel threatened, they make growling or clicking sounds to threaten their predators. Moreover, they make grunting, hissing, and teeth-chattering kind of noises when in distress.
Signs Of A Possum Infestation In Your Home
If possums infest your home, it should be evident as they are not discreet. Here are some signs you may notice if possums invade your home.
Damage to the Exterior of your Building
Since possums enter your property by climbing, the first sign you might notice is damage to your property. Often, this damage is done by tearing shingles or ripping your house’s rooftop. In some cases, you could come across damage on the eaves, gutters, and sidings of your house.
Disappearing Pet Food
Possums love cat food. If you have an outdoor cat, you may notice the unusual disappearance of your pet’s food; then, you probably have a possum infestation. If you think it is a possum infestation, then you should take immediate action to protect your cat from an attack by the possum.
Constant Animal Sounds
As mentioned above, possums make different sounds such as hissing, shrieking, and growling. If you notice these sounds during the night, the chances are that you have a possum infestation or one possum trapped in your home.
Scratching Noises
If you notice some scuttling, scratching, or ripping noises in your home during the night that are similar to mice or rat sounds and you are sure that you do not have either, you might have a possum infestation. These noises are also loud as large animals produce them. Additionally, are these scratching noises from the walls or across a wide area? If yes, it is definitely a possum infestation.
Unpleasant Smell
An unpleasant smell is one of the most distinct signs that you have an infestation. Possums excrete wet droppings similar to a cat’s. They, in turn, soak your building materials, causing an unpleasant smell.
How To Keep Possums Away From Your Property
You can concur that everybody needs peaceful sleep at night after hustling and bustling during the day. Although possums do not pose any harm to you and your family, they can tear up your attic and disrupt the quality of your life, making it impossible to sleep at night.
Clean-Up Brush Piles, Trash, and Pet Food Remnants
Remove all accessible sources of food and water for possums from your property. This reduces the chance of possums sticking around as they can eat anything and build their nest box in the bushes and debris in the yard. Cover your compost bin as well to cut off their access to ‘delicious’ contents. The lack of a constant supply of food will drive them away to their next location.
Seal your Chicken Coop
Ensure that your chicken coop has no entry points and lock the chicken at dusk every day. Possums feed on chicks, eggs, and chickens.
Harvest and Pick Any Ripe Fruits and Veggies
Collect any fallen fruit on the ground and pick the ready ones as soon as possible from your garden. Leaving the ripe fruits lying around invites possums in your compound to explore.
Get Motion-Activated Lights or Sprinklers
Installing motion-activated lights or sprinklers should not be your first option as it can be expensive. However, if you have a serious infestation, this is a good alternative. Sudden lights or water will scare the possums away and stop them from coming back.
Install Solar LED Deterrent Lights
These lights resemble the glowing eyes of the predators of possums. When you install the lights near your chicken coop or garden, these nocturnal animals get scared and run away.
Place a Radio Outside your House
Possums hate noise, especially when they are not aware of the source. Place your radio outside your house and keep changing the radio station at intervals.
Use Chilli Powder
Possums hate the smell and taste of chilli powder. Fortunately, chilli only deters them from coming back as opposed to harming them. After they taste the chilli, they learn to stay away from that area. However, you have to keep reapplying the chilli often, especially during the rainy season.
Set Catch and Release Traps
This should be your last resort. Use dog food or canned cat as bait or fish. Place the trap in a place you are sure the possum frequents and create an accessible trail leading to the trap. Leave the trap overnight and check in the morning. Proceed with caution not to scare the possum once it has been trapped.
Drape a towel on the trap to calm it and release it around 5 miles from your home. This distance is far enough for it not to come back but not too far such that they cannot find their source of food and water.
Keeping Possums From Your Home
Unless there is an entry point in your home to access water and food easily, possums do not usually enter your home. However, in the event that they do, here are several ways to keep them away from your home:
- Close any pet doors at night.
- Clean the leftovers from your compound, such as barbecue leftovers, to avoid attracting possums.
- Cover the outdoor bins so as not to attract possums due to the presence of food.
- Install grid screens to protect your low decks from possums.
- Remove all water and food sources.
- If already in the house, open the door to usher them out.
- Contact a possum control professional.
Before taking any action to get rid of possums, you should know that they are protected by Australian law as native animals. So regardless of the nuisance they cause, only professionals would know how to rid them from your property safely. Here is the detailed process:
- If you set a trap and catch any, you should have a cage to trap the possum and not cause any injury.
- Once you trap the possum in the cage, keep them away from rain, wind, sunlight, pets, and any other form of danger.
- Release the possum after sunset on the day of the capture, around 50 metres away from your property.
Having said that, ensure that all these measures are undertaken lest you get a fine of about $5,000.
Additionally, the first step to getting rid of them is identifying their entry point to your property. It may be not easy but try to spot them in the evening as they head in or early in the morning as they head out. You can also follow the possum’s droppings to find their nest or the branches above your home.
Benefits Of Possums
Although possums may disrupt your night with their sounds, they are beneficial to you as well. Here are some of the benefits of possums:
- They keep your area clear from pests such as mice, rats, and cockroaches.
- They reduce Lyme disease by feeding on any ticks they come across.
- They feed on venomous snakes.
- They do not contract rabies.
- They gloom your garden by feeding on slugs, snails, overripe and fallen fruits.
Possum Control May Be The Answer
Possums are harmless and shy with two defence mechanisms. The first mechanism is hissing and display of teeth. A possum will hiss at you out of fear and when it is unable to flee. This behaviour may appear fierce, but it is only a warning. The second mechanism is playing possum. If a possum feels in danger, it may act and appear dead, and when it feels safe, it revives and moves on.
Possums are nomads, and they never establish a permanent territory. They are ideally nocturnal and wander at night in search of food and water. During the day, they sleep in brush piles, hollow trees, caves, and under porches.
There is a high chance that your backyard has a possum hanging around. Listen for any possum sounds at night, to be sure. As mentioned earlier, possums are harmless. Therefore, you can help them out by providing a safe environment and reducing the use of pesticides. If you cannot co-exist, use humane control solutions to get rid of the possums.
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Rat Vs Mouse Comparisons And How To Manage Them
October 3, 2021
The sight of a rat or mouse in your home or office can be upsetting, to say the least. Bites,…
The sight of a rat or mouse in your home or office can be upsetting, to say the least. Bites, disease, chewed-up properties are just a few of your concerns. What are the various rat vs. mouse comparisons? How do you tell them apart and manage them? This article will answer these questions and consider their standard features, eating habits, signs, prevention, and management.
Species Of Rodents
Generally, for your home, you may consider two types of rodents — the rat and mouse. More specifically, three species of rodents quickly adapt to the human environment. First, the Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) is also named Common or Norway rat. The Norway rat usually prefers living in homes and businesses. They are bigger in size than black rats.
Second, the Black Rat (Rattus rattus) is further known as the Ship or Roof rat. No surprise, ships may include the black rat as a pest-controlled item in their reports, as it is a common pest. Finally, the House Mouse (Mus domesticus) is common in many homes.
Common Features Of Rodents
Whatever the species you are considering for rodent control, they all have standard features like short legs and long tails. Furthermore, they have a pair of incisor teeth in their upper jaw. Nonetheless, a closer look will tell the difference between mice and rats using identifiable features for each species.
What Is The Difference Between A Rat And A Mouse?
You may be forgiven for mixing up the two. Aside from behaviour differences, rats and mice do look similar. However, people use their sizes to differentiate them. Rats tend to be bigger and heavier. This includes their tail length.
On the other hand, mice tend to have slender bodies. Furthermore, mouse tails are hairy, long, and thin, while rats have shorter, thicker, and hairless tails. Moreover, you can use the more significant amount of droppings present during the day to differentiate the mice from rats.
Rat Vs. Mouse – Differences In Looks
Indeed, with a body size of 3-10 cm long, house mice are smaller than the rat. After all, the body length of a rat is 16-40 cm. Furthermore, a mature mouse has more prominent ears and a longer tail in proportion to its body length. You can use the length of an adult mouse tail to differentiate it from a young rat tail.
In addition, rat heads and feet are proportionately more prominent than its body in comparison to the mouse. Distinctively, mice generally have a light grey or brown colour with a lighter shade in their bellies.
Features of Brown Rats
The brown rat has a thicker body, blunt nose, and small hairy ears. In addition, it has a tail that is shorter than the length of its head and body combined. Typically, it has a paler colour underneath its tail.
Features of Black Rats
However, the black rat is characterised by its slender body, pointed nose, and large thin ears. In the same vein, its tail is longer than its head and body.
Features of Mice
Typically, mice have a pointed, triangular snout. Likewise, they have larger ears and smaller heads. In addition, they can be black, grey, or light brown. As mentioned earlier, mice have long, thin, and hairy tails.
Where Do Rats And Mice Live?
Habitats of Brown Rats
You can usually find brown rats in buildings and outdoors. They are active on the ground and in burrows. Furthermore, brown rats can cause severe damage to sewer systems. Characteristically, you can identify its travel routes using the continuous smudges caused by its oily fur.
Where Do Black Rats Live?
In contrast, black rats can be found in buildings close to ports and ships in temperate countries. Little wonder they are called ‘ship rats’. Thus, these agile climbers build their nests high up under roofs. As such, you may find them in the upper levels of a home or office building.
Where Do Mice Live?
Alternatively, mice typically live on the ground. They also nest in burrows. Keep in mind that it is also agile and can climb. However, the mouse has a smaller footprint than a rat.
Rat And Mice Eating Habits
Both rodents are omnivorous. A rat will eat anything. However, the various species have their preferences. For example, black rats like fruit and foods containing a high moisture content. On the other hand, the brown rat and house mouse prefer cereals.
Eating Habits of Brown Rats
They like cereals and drink up to 60ml water a day. Interestingly, brown rats cut their grain when eating. This gives the grain a chopped appearance. They are likely to seek their food in the same areas.
Eating Habits of Black Rats
Similarly speaking, black rats are less likely to eat from the same area two nights in a row. This makes controlling them more difficult. They drink up to 30ml of water a day.
Eating Habits of Mice
Though mice eat grains, fruits, and seeds, they prefer cereals. The mice will often piece out the grain. It removes the outer husk to eat the white endosperm inside. Moreover, it is likely to seek its food source in the same places. Do they drink water? No, they do not need to but, if water is available, they can drink up to 3ml.
Droppings Of Rats Vs. Mice
Though you may often confuse their droppings, the droppings of the three rodents differ. These differences between rats and mice poop are in size and shape.
Brown Rat Droppings
If the droppings have a tapered spindle shape that resembles a large grain of rice, it is usually that of a brown rat. In addition, the droppings are wide and of a dark brown colour.
Black Rat Droppings
The black rat’s droppings are smaller than those of the brown rat. Furthermore, they are long and thin. You can check for its banana-like shape and pointed ends.
Mouse Droppings
However, mouse droppings have a granular shape and a black colour. With approximate lengths of 3-8 mm, they are often found near nesting areas. Furthermore, they are scattered randomly, especially during an infestation.
Breeding Of Rats Vs Mice
Rodents all have a similar lifespan of up to thirty months. However, mice get sexually mature earlier than rats. Similarly, they produce larger litters more frequently. However, all three rodents have newborns that are blind, hairless, and dependent on their mothers when they are born.
House Mouse
The house mouse can produce around 7-8 litters per year. Each litter size is between 4-16 newborns and the maturity period is 8-12 weeks.
Brown Rat
Likewise, the brown rat produces 3-6 litters in a year. The litter size is 7-8 babies and the time to maturity is around 10-12 weeks.
Black Rat
However, the black rat can produce up to 3-6 litters per year. The time to maturity is 7-8 weeks.
How To Tell If You Have A Rat Or Mouse In Your Home
The following are a few tell-tale signs.
Signs of a Brown Rat’s Presence
You can use the following signs mentioned below to identify the presence of the Norway rat in your home.
- A strong, musty odour or urine smell
- Dark 3/4″ droppings that have blunt ends
- You may see gnawing marks on wall corners, wall studs, and floor joists
Signs of a Black Rat’s Presence
The black rat also has a strong, musty odour as well as a urine stink. However, the droppings are dark, measuring 1/2″ with pointed ends.
You are likely to find gnawed wires in ceilings, walls, or upper floors. Similarly, bite marks will be present on wall corners, wall studs, floor joists, and wood structures.
Signs of House Mouse Presence
For the house mouse, watch out for the usual urine odour and strong, musty smell. Secondly, there are likely to be gnawing marks on plastic, wood, wires, cardboard, and food containers.
Similarly, expect to find your books or paper towels shredded and used for their nests. Moreover, their dark droppings measure 1/4″ and have pointed ends.
Effects Of Rats And Mice In The Home
Any rat vs. mouse comparison you do, you will have to factor in their adverse health effects. This emphasises the importance of preventing their access to your home.
For instance, they transfer several diseases to humans. These diseases include Plague, Leptospirosis, Salmonellosis, and Tularemia. Again, both rats and mice may trigger allergies and asthma in certain people.
How Rats Vs. Mice Spread Diseases
Rats and mice spread diseases in the following ways.
- They contaminate your food and drinks
- Like bugs bite, a bite by a rat or mouse can cause disease
- Through contact with their urine or faeces
- By breathing airborne droppings
- Moreover, do you remember those vector organisms you were taught in school? Yes, rodents like mice and rats carry vectors such as the bed bug, ticks, and fleas that spread diseases.
A Complex Infestation Problem
When you consider the breeding rates of a mouse vs. rat, you would realise how easily an infestation can grow. For example, statistics show that a pair of breeding rats can produce up to 15,000 pups within one year!
Imagine how complicated it would be to control such a population of rats or mice.
Financial Costs
You may not have just your cash literally eaten; rats and mice can incur other costs. You may have to repair walls and attic insulation that they chew through. Besides, chewed electrical wiring poses a fire risk.
Tips On How To Remove Rats And Mice
The following are some steps to take to get rid of mice or rats in your home.
Check for Signs of Mice or Rats
These signs can be found as gaps or holes in your home. Go ahead and examine the fireplace, around doors and windows, pipes, and vents. Also, check under cabinets and appliances, attics, basements, and crawlspaces. Remember to check your roof, gables, eaves, and floor drains.
Fill in Entry Holes
Next, use caulk and steel wool to fill in small holes. Alternatively, use metal, cement, metal sheeting, or lath screen to fill in larger gaps.
Carefully Set Up Traps Around the House
Depending on your control plan, your traps must be specific to the mouse or rat. Such traps can be placed in the right areas inside the home and outbuildings.
Practice Preventive Measures for Health Safety
Store your food in plastic or metal containers. Wash your dishes after use. Similarly, clean up spills immediately. Furthermore, ensure you make use of metal or plastic trash cans with tight lids. You should empty your trash frequently and regularly.
Make Use of Botanical Repellants
There are botanical repellants that are offensive to rodents. Some of them are made of herbal ingredients such as lavender oil and other plant extracts. Ultimately, they give off an awful smell that puts off rodents but not humans.
Contact a Professional Pest Control Company
Such pest control companies can solve a wide variety of rodent problems. Begin by checking their pest library. Their repertoire of expertise can include termite protection, termite control, ant control, bird control, rodent control, moth control, and tick control. It could also include mosquito control, cockroach control, spider control, fly control, and bed bug control.
Furthermore, you may find they can help with termite treatments, flea treatments, and bedbug treatments, to name only a few. Moreover, they can help you manage carpenter ants and help with wasp removal, bed bug removal, or even possum removal.
Usually, they will first evaluate your home. After that, they will suggest appropriate up-to-date treatment options for your pest management problems. In addition, they can implement prevention plans.
When To Invite A Pest Control Company?
The sight of rodents in your home should not terrify you, at least, not too much. First, understand various rat vs. mouse comparisons, for instance, how to tell them apart and manage them. After all, knowledge is power, or at least, the beginning of it. Clearly, the best option, especially if it is an infestation, is to invite a professional pest control company.
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How To Get Rid Of Ants
October 3, 2021
Ants are a natural nuisance; they are always there but more active during spring and summer. There are different species…
Ants are a natural nuisance; they are always there but more active during spring and summer. There are different species of ants in Australia including the garden ants, green ants, bull ants, coastal brown ants, and fire ants.
Perhaps you have been wondering what caused an ant invasion in your house; this post will answer that question and provide some practical methods to get rid of ants from your home.
What Are The Causes Of Ant Invasions?
Food
Ants are always on the lookout for food to scavenge, and once they find some, they signal the rest of the colony. So, if you see one ant, that may not be the first or last!
Moisture
Ants can survive on little to no water, and they get most of their requirements from the food they eat. However, some ant species love moist wood, which makes them live near cabinets or sinks if there is a leak in your plumbing system.
Conducive Environment
Ants are typically found outside of your home since they need the environment to regulate their body temperature. They can, however, colonise in areas with cracks or crevices. If you have any windows that might let this occur, no doubt ants will enter you home.
How To Get Rid Of Indoor Ants
Know their Source
To evict ants from your kitchen, start by looking for their source. If it is sticky honey or stray spoons in dirty dishes left on their own, then you know where to begin cleaning up.
The next step will be figuring out how best to get rid of them once you’ve found what makes these poor tenants feel welcome. Once you remove their source, they’ll likely move elsewhere themselves.
Stop their Trail
Ants rely on pheromones to communicate and following one another. To stop the tiny trails from being seen, you need to spray them with something that will break up their scent signal before they leave it behind – like vinegar mixed in the water!
Simply take some crushed white wine bottle (or any clear household cleaner), add 1 part liquid per 3 parts drinking vinegar at room temperature, until the color lightens slightly; then simply mist this mixture anywhere ants are spotted so they cannot use each other’s trail anymore.
Set Up Ant Repellent
To exterminate ants naturally, mix peppermint or lavender oil (two scents they hate) with water and spray the mixture on entry points like window sills. If you decide to take the chemical route, look for a product that contains boric acid; however, some can be harmful if misapplied, so read the instructions carefully!
How To Get Rid Of Outdoor Ants
Search Around your House
Carpenter ants like to nest in wood, so if you find ant beds around your yard or near any outdoor structures such as foundation piles for homes, they may have been there for a while. They also prefer wet and damaged pieces of lumber; check tree stumps and other places where this kind of condition might exist!
Use Hot Water
Ants are pesky pests and can be difficult to get rid of. Once you’ve found their hive, pour boiling water into the hill.
Keep your Surroundings Clean
A well-maintained property is the best way to keep ants away. Keep an eye out for potential entry points such as branches and bushes touching your house, which these pests can use to sneak into your home.
How To Keep Ants Away From Your House
Clean your Home Always
Your kitchen is typically an ant’s favourite room in the house, so pay special attention to it. Keep your countertops clean and free from crumbs because they are often targeted by these little insects as well.
Regularly wipe down any surfaces that might serve as prey for ants, especially during warmer months when bug populations may increase due to more food sources around like fruit bowl edges or pantries which have not been properly cleaned.
Regularly Check your AC, Pipes, and Sinks
You should check your pipes and sinks regularly to make sure there are no leaks. You can also check air conditioning units and anything else that may create moisture in the home or office space you work in, which will attract ants.
Close the Windows and Doors
Seal up your windows and doors this spring to keep out more than just ants. Remember that it’s tough during warm weather, especially with kids running around all day long! Try keeping them closed as much as possible while still letting your kids enjoy their playtime outside.
What Are The Fastest Ways To Get Rid Of Ants?
Controlling ants is a challenge, but it can be overcome with some thoughtful preparation. One of the most critical steps in controlling these pests from raiding your home and kitchen items is proper food storage procedures such as taping closed boxes or bags containing perishable goods like cookies before putting them away for long periods.
The best way to keep ants from raiding your pantry is by purchasing airtight containers. Lids should lock tightly, preventing scavengers from gaining access and providing a haven for bugs scavenging on the outside like they always do! After every use, wash off all residue with hot water or bleach (start light). This will ensure that there’s nothing left behind that the ants could be used as food sources.
Do Over-The-Counter Ant Repellents Work?
Ant control products like those found at your local hardware store come in many forms. However, it’s important to remember these substances may be harmful if the product label directions are not followed and will only solve a small portion of your ant invasion.
Sprays only work on the ants you can see; they function only as a deterrent because they pose no residual effects capable of providing a lasting solution to your ant problem. If the ants can enter your building, the spray will not hinder what they can do. Again, remember that the spray doesn’t affect the colonies outside of your house. Therefore, so long as the colonies are still intact, the supply of ants is unlimited.
If you find a colony of ants in your home, it’s essential to take steps before they multiply. Most ant treatments only work if applied directly on the colonies, so there is no easy way for the average homeowner to get rid of them without professional help from an expert pest control company. Pest Aid can help you eliminate the ant colonies in your house and give you a permanent solution to your ant invasion problem.
Why Do Some Ant Colonies Survive After Treatment?
Ant colonies can survive if the pest treatment was not properly administered. Again, the colonies may survive just because the queen survives. You have to know that ant problems do not start in your home; instead, they start in the nest, and you only notice them when they invade your home.
Some people believe that the more ants they see, the more the chances of breeding, but that is not true. The only ant that breeds is the queen mother. As long as she wasn’t killed during the ant treatment process, she can produce more than enough ants to invade your home because the more she makes them, the more they look for food, and your kitchen and other parts of your house will be their closest choice.
To make the matter worse, the queen never leaves the ant nest after establishing her colony, so there is no chance that she will be killed with other ants in the kitchen or other places in your house.
She brings worker ants from the colony to feed her young, which she populates constantly. The workers you see in your house are nothing more than those created by this clever ant queen; other types exist too, like soldiers and drones for protecting their territory or mate-seeking missions outside of it, even if they’re not at home! It’s impossible to get rid of an entire ant nest without killing the ant that is the source of other ants, and that is the queen herself.
This is why you need the services of a reputable ant control company, who have the experience not just to get rid of your house of ants. Still, they also go the extra mile of detecting the colonies of these ants near you, destroying the them, and making sure the queen mother is not there to revive the ant population.
You May Need Help To Get Rid Of Ants
Getting rid of ants by oneself can be a huge challenge. If you have tried all you can to get rid of them and they are still appearing, it is better to consult an expert. There are many companies around who specialise in getting rid of ants.
You may have to consult them to help you in eliminating ants completely from your house. They will carry out a proper inspection to identify the source of the ants which is the colonies, destroy these colonies and eliminate the queen mother, thereby ensuring that no new ants are introduced into your home.
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Is It Illegal To Kill Snakes In Australia?
October 3, 2021
Are you wondering if killing snakes is legal or illegal in Australia? This question can arise in any knowledgeable individual's…
Are you wondering if killing snakes is legal or illegal in Australia? This question can arise in any knowledgeable individual’s mind. The answer is, yes! It is illegal to kill or injure any snake. It is common knowledge that snakes are very important for the ecosystem, and their existence is necessary for us. Therefore, killing snakes is harmful to the environment.
This article will discuss which Act makes killing snakes illegal in Australia, how to deal with snakes, their importance in our lives, which ones are the most dangerous and many more. Hopefully, it will help you to know more about snakes and their importance to avoid gravitating towards killing them if you come across one.
Which Act Made Killing Snakes Illegal In Australia?
As recent as a few years back, people used to kill snakes without repercussions. You could have been passing through a bushy path, see a snake moving, and for no reason other than fear, beat the snake to death! However, an Act was enacted in 1992, called the Nature Conservation Act, to stop such unlawful acts. Therefore, it is now an offence in Australia to kill, injure or capture snakes.
In this modern world, the law is the authority that can make people do something right or keep them from doing wrong. The Act, therefore, allows snakes to live an uninterrupted life.
Snakes And Their Native Environment
The two most common snakes in Australia are brown snakes and tiger snakes. Both types are mostly found on islands and love to live among trees. So if there is a lot of vegetation in the area you live in, you are bound to come across a snake or two around your home.
Snakes can disturb your accommodation, and such disturbance can force you to take drastic action that almost always leads to their death. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to keep your home snake proof. These preventative measures allow you to avoid turning to drastic measures that can lead to the death of snakes and legal action against you. You can:
- Keep your lawn short
- Place garden beds away from your house
- Tidy up your yards in the cold season
These easy measures can make your home safe from snakes.
How To Deal With Snakes Safely
Typically, snakes do not attack first. They prefer to retreat when they are disturbed. But if there is a snake in your place or anywhere near you, what’s the best thing you can do?
You should contact a reliable local snake catcher. If you conduct an internet search, you can easily find a professional snake catcher. They can catch the snake and relocate it to a safe place. Moreover, ensure that you keep an eye on the snake from a safe distance until the snake catcher arrives to deal with it.
If you remove snakes in such a way, it will benefit both you and the snake. The snake will survive peacefully, and no harm will come your way.
Harmful Snakes
Australians claim to have the deadliest varieties of snakes. Australia has approximately 140 species of land snakes and approximately 32 species of sea snakes. About a hundred species are venomous, but only 12 can cause a wound that can kill you. The most dangerous ones are brown snakes, tiger snakes, death adders, king brown snakes or mulgas and some sea snakes. Another highly venomous snake is the red-bellied black snake.
You need to know that there is a positive aspect where snakes are concerned; none of these snakes is naturally aggressive. Most of the time, they only attack if you try to beat or capture them. Therefore, you should not panic if you come across any of these venomous snakes. Simply allow the snake to move peacefully, and it will not bother you.
Snake Bites
As mentioned before, snakes do not bite if you do not bother them. But under any difficult circumstance, if you get bitten by a snake, what can you possibly do? Since snake biting is quite common in Australia, there are a few precautionary steps that you can take to avoid being bitten by a snake. They include:
- Wearing gloves while gardening
- Wearing long pants and covered shoes
- Staying on formed paths and tracks to see and avoid snakes
- Carrying a torch at night
- Being aware of bushy areas
- Most importantly, never try or pretend to beat or capture any snake
However, even if you observe the above precautionary steps, you can still get bitten by a snake. In that case, you should do the following things step by step to guarantee your survival after a snake bite. The steps apply if you are also helping someone who a snake has bitten:
- Lie or sit down the bitten person while keeping the bite below the level of that person’s heart
- Ask the casualty to stay calm
- Proceed to wash the wound with warm soapy water
- Now cover the wound with a dry, clean dressing
- After that, rush the casualty to a doctor as soon as possible
Ensure that you follow the steps above to a T. Otherwise, the bite can do great harm or even lead to death.
Importance Of Snakes In The Ecosystem
Every animal plays an important role in maintaining the ecosystem properly. Snakes play a very important role in food webs. They are significant middle-order predators, which means that they balance the number of prey species. If the snake population were unusually small, the prey species would increase to an enormous level. For instance, there would be too many rats and mice.
On the other hand, the predators that feed on snakes would have an inadequate amount of food. Therefore, to keep a balance in the food web, we have to save snakes.
When Is The ‘Snake Season’ In Australia?
In Australia, snake season typically begins from October and November. The weather is most comfortable for a snake to roam around or search for food during spring. Snakes are cold-blooded animals which means that their body temperature changes according to the weather. Their bodies stay warm in the spring or summer and get colder in the winter.
Moreover, snakes hibernate in the winters. So there is almost a zero per cent possibility of seeing a snake between June and August in Australia.
That said, beware of snakes in the spring and summer as it is their roaming season. Keep your garden clean, wear covering shoes, avoid bushes as much as possible, have a snake catcher’s number saved and ensure that you have a torch or source of light with you while walking in the dark.
COVID-19 And Snake Catching In Australia
COVID-19 has spread all over Australia and the world. It has disrupted the national and global economy, which has, in turn, caused unemployment. However, the ‘snake catching’ industry is growing. Snake catchers are now busier than ever.
Snakes are now frequenting residential areas since people hardly go out and stay home to flatten the COVID-19 curve. As a result, snake catchers are having a pretty busy time relocating the snakes.
Urban Wildlife And Snakes
Snakes are not welcomed in urban areas. Usually, whenever a snake is found in an urban area in Australia, it is immediately relocated. Snakes can indeed scare people. But a particular number of snakes are also needed to control the number of insects or mice, as already discussed. Therefore, the number of snakes in urban areas needs to be controlled smartly by the Department of Parks and Wildlife Service.
Be Snake Aware
Snakes are not as scary or harmful as people perceive them. They are not aggressive enough to attack you unless given a reason to do so. Most species of snakes are not venomous enough to kill somebody. They play a significant role in our ecosystem as a middle-order predator too.
The number of snakes in Australia might be pretty frightening, which is why people often prefer to kill them. However, awareness needs to be raised about their importance and harmlessness. This will save their lives and yours in a greater sense by serving the environment. Purpose to obey the law in this regard, as it is very beneficial for the planet and other animals. Moreover, failure to do so comes with legal repercussions.
It is safe to say that killing snakes is illegal in Australia for good reasons. If you have read this article thoroughly, hopefully, you have an idea of why saving snakes is crucial and how to deal with them in a way that guarantees their survival. Just let the snake live as they want to, then if you ever feel disturbed by them, reach out to a reliable snake catcher company, and they will help you. Lastly, never forget the precautionary steps mentioned before.
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Repelling Mice With Smells They Hate
October 3, 2021
We all agree that the most straightforward way of controlling rodent population in our homes is using poison baits like…
We all agree that the most straightforward way of controlling rodent population in our homes is using poison baits like the highly toxic synthetic pesticides and rodenticides. This method of controlling rodents is however considered to have a number of disadvantages:
- It is only a temporary control measure as rodents re-infest the home after sometime. Killing rodents with poison may lead to a scenario where a small population is left with huge food resources. Plenty of food provides ground for reproduction and in turn their numbers increase to unmanageable levels.
- The pesticide formulation may stop working against the rodents due to resistance. It is common knowledge that pests develop resistance to pesticides and rodents are no exception.
- Rodents may easily learn to avoid the bait in preference for familiar food alternatives.
- Using poison baits has the risk of inadvertently poisoning non-target animals including our pets and household members.
It is therefore important to device alternatives that pose no health risk to us but capable of deterring rodents from our homes. But why should you be so much concerned by the presence of these animals in your homes? Wouldn’t it be easier to just coexist peacefully with them?
Rodents such as rats and mice are considered pests because their presence in our living places have significant economic and health consequences. We therefore cannot ignore their presence in and around our homes.
- They cause structural damage to our homes by gnawing on wood
- Rats and mice create fire hazards by gnawing on electrical installations
- They are vectors of viruses, bacteria and ectoparasites hence a public health hazard
- Rodents feed on and destroy stored crops impacting our food security
- They contaminate our food through their urine and droppings hence impact our food safety
The use of natural solutions like non-chemical repellents has the potential of keeping mice and rats away from our homes. They have been touted as effective alternatives to lethal chemical pesticides. These repellents have unpleasant taste and smell that the mice and rats hate. The strong scent from these repellents cause irritation in mice. The irritation may cause these animals to feel sick and develop learned smell aversions. They would associate the unpleasant smell with subsequent illness or irritation and avoid areas with such smells.
Fragrances That Mice And Rats Hate
Essential Oils
The use of natural solutions to get rid of mice and rats is desirable where the use of chemical pesticides poses danger to non-target animals or to ourselves. Available commercial rodent repellents are either made using chemicals or natural extracts with a blend of essential oils and other additives.
Essential oils have become a popular natural repellent used to get rid of mice from homes. Mice and rats hate the smell of these products although not everyone agrees that essential oils are effective rodent repellents.
Peppermint Oil
This is a natural extract from peppermint leaves with a scent that is pleasant to human beings but irritating to mice. Besides its use as a flavouring agent in foods and beverages as well as a fragrance in cosmetics, it also used to repel mice from homes.
To use this product as a mice deterrent you need:
- 2 tea spoons of peppermint oil
- A cup of water
- 3 drops of dish soap
- One spray bottle
Steps to prepare this repellent at home:
- Mix the peppermint oil, water and dish soap together in the spray bottle
- Soak cotton balls in a few drops of the prepared peppermint oil solution
- Place the soaked cotton balls where there is evidence of mice activities
- Monitor the cotton balls and replace them when the scent fades
Tea Tree Oil
The strong scent of tea tree oil is an effective rodent repellent that keeps them away from your home.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is one of the most effective essential oils you can use to get rid of mice from your house.
Lemon Oil
Lemon oil has a citrus fragrance which will repulse rodents from your home.
Cayenne Pepper/Chili Oil/Powder
These are hot chilis mostly used by humans to flavour food. We can harness their strong smell to keep mice away from our homes. Identify areas that are frequented by mice and sprinkle a generous amount of cayenne pepper, chili oil or powder.
Cloves and Clove Essential Oil
Cloves are dried aromatic flower buds of the clove tree. The spicy flavour of whole cloves and clove oil makes them a natural mice repellent.
Wrap cloves in a cloth or soak cotton balls in clove essential oil and place them around the home in places where mice use to gain entry.
Cedarwood Oil
Cedarwood oil contains phenols with strong scents that repel mice and other pest bugs.
Alternative Repellents
Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets are good for depositing strong smells that can deter mice from your home. Identify areas in the house where mice are common and place dryer sheets in those places. You can also look out for mice entry holes and stuff them with dryer sheets. Never forget to replace or remove them when the scent fades.
Irish Spring Soap
This is an American brand of deodorant soap whose smell can be harnessed to keep the mice away. Grate 2 – 3 bars of Irish spring soap to have a reasonable pile of shavings. Identify the places frequented by mice and sprinkle the shavings around those areas.
Rotten Onions
You can harness the power of the pungent smell of rotting onions to deter mice from your home.
Baking Powder
Sprinkling a good amount of baking powder in areas frequented by mice should help to get rid of them after a couple of days.
Moth Balls
Moth balls produce naphthalene vapour which has a strong smell and is irritating to mice and rats and can therefore be used to repel these rodents. However, naphthalene is only effective at a higher concentration, which can turn out to be toxic to our pets and household members.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Water
Apple cider vinegar is acidic and has a smell that naturally repels pests such as rodents. You can make a rodent repellent spray by mixing apple cider vinegar with water.
Generally, in any essential oil of your choice, soak cotton balls and stuff them in cracks, crevices and holes associated with rodents. Monitor the cotton balls regularly and replace them when they dry out.
Other Mice And Rat Control Options
Other than using poisons such as rodenticides and repellents to get rid of mice and rats from your home, you can also use the following options to control rodents around your home:
Traps
Mouse traps include snap traps and live traps. You can use these traps to control mice and rats in your home.
Ultrasonic Mice Repellent Devices
These gadgets produce sounds at frequencies that irritate mice. They are designed for indoor use and are safe to the environment and humans.
Steel Wool
Rodents cannot gnaw or chew steel wool. It is therefore ideal for sealing rodent holes or crevices to keep them away from your home.
Kitty Litter
Making your home look unsafe for the rodents is a good way to get rid of them. You can achieve this by creating fear using dirty kitty litter that has absorbed cat odour.
Pros And Cons Of Using Scented Repellents To Get Rid Of Mice From Our Homes
Although many experts and home owners agree that essential oils and other scented repellents can be used to get rid of mice and rats some people still do not agree it is an effective method. Regardless, using essential oils and scented repellents has some advantages and disadvantages that you should know.
Advantages
- When used in the house to repel rodents, essential oils and other scented repellents also control other pests like aphids, bed bugs, ants, roaches, flies, fleas, spiders, stink bugs, wasps and even lice.
- They are safe for the environment and people
- It is very easy to use these products and they are also easy to find
Disadvantages
- They are costly than some alternative methods of mice control like traps
- These products have strong scents that may not be pleasant to you and your pets and can irritate the skin
- For these methods to be effective they need to be applied repeatedly
Best Preventative Measures That Will Keep Your Home Mouse-Free All Year Round
It is said that prevention is the best cure. Therefore, to keep rodents permanently away from your home, here are some of the best preventive measures you can implement:
- Deny rodents access to food and water sources. When your home does not provide food to rodents, they are unlikely to live there and will find somewhere else that has food resources for them.
- Your attention should not shift away from places like your roof and basement where rodents are likely to find safe for nesting. Carry out regular home inspection and maintenance. Repair damaged roofs, breaking mortar and seal cracks and crevices that can provide entry points for rodents into your home.
- Keep the lawn around your home short and tree branches trimmed. Long grass provides safe nesting grounds for rodents while hanging branches can be used to climb to the roof of your house.
- Hire professional pest control companies to pest-proof your house. These companies provide intelligent solutions that permanently deter rodents from infesting your home.
Professional Rodent Control Services In Adelaide
Eliminating rats and mice from your house may require you to consider asking for professional help. Pest Aid offers professional pest management and extermination of nuisance animals from your living space. It is a South Australian family owned and operated pest control company with many years of experience in inspection and treatment of the following pest infestations:
- Rodents
- Termites
- Possums
- Spiders
- Cockroaches
- Flies
- Mosquitoes
- Ants
- Wasps
- Bees
- Birds
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Does Home Insurance Cover Termite Damage?
October 3, 2021
Home insurance covers damages and risks that are sudden and accidental, such as theft, hail, and lightning, among others. When…
Home insurance covers damages and risks that are sudden and accidental, such as theft, hail, and lightning, among others. When termites ultimately damage your home, in such a scenario, your insurance reimburses you for the damage, less the deductibles.
Though home insurance covers many events, it does not cover termite damage. Why? You can prevent most termite damages through maintenance which is your responsibility as a homeowner. So, if you have termite damage in your home, such as a weak foundation or broken ceiling, your home insurance will not cover the costs to replace or repair any of the termite damage.
When Does Insurance Cover Termite Damage?
A termite control specialist will tell you that your homeowner insurance may cover certain termite damages. The first situation is when your home collapses due to termite damage. This collapse is referred to as the ‘collapse of your home’. In such an instance, your insurance will cover you up to your policy’s limit. However, you should note that such a situation is almost unheard of. Eventually, they only make such a payout if you could not prevent that damage and up to the extent of the collapse.
The second situation where your insurance may cover termite damage is where a covered scenario causes termite damage. For instance, you can file a claim if you have a leaking pipe that causes moisture and attracts termites. However, in such a scenario, you need to prove the connection between the two occurrences and prove that you did not neglect maintenance.
Filing A Claim When You Are Covered
If your termite damage falls under either of the above two scenarios, you should take to file a claim. What are the procedures you should follow? Contact your insurer, who will, in turn, send a claims adjuster to check if the damage is a result of your neglect.
The inspector’s report will determine whether you are entitled to reimbursement. If the insurance covers the damage, they will reimburse you. However, if you are not covered, they will not. If the termite damage has affected electronics in your home, your insurer will pay you. Keep in mind that different insurance companies pay different amounts depending on the policies. Therefore, you should ensure that you look into different insurance companies’ policies before settling for one.
What Should You Do When Your Termite Damage Is Uninsurable?
If your insurance cover does not cover termite damage, what should you do to lower extermination costs?
- Hire an expert to inspect the infestation and give you an estimate for the removal. Get three or more quotes and compare the costs.
- Weigh the removal costs against the extent of the infestation. The costs will range from about $600 to about $5500 depending on different factors. If you decide to take care of the termite damage yourself, you should ensure you remove the entire colony.
- If you engage a professional exterminator, it may be expensive but worth it in the long run. An expert will ensure that if there is a colony, it is obliterated and stops the growth. As for the damages, you will also have to pay from your pocket; however, it is affordable if the infestation is discovered early.
How To Prevent Termites
There are several ways you can make your home termite-free. Here are a few of them:
- Look out for leaks and keep your property dry, especially in the air conditioner and the roof.
- Clean your pipes and gutters to prevent termites from settling in as they love such dark and moist places.
- Seal any cracks in the foundation, windows, and doors.
- Do not place soil or mulch next to your house.
- Install vapour barrier to keep all crawl spaces dry.
- Repair any rotting wood or shingle around your home.
- Keep firewood and vegetation away from your home.
- Set baits.
- Inspect your home for any signs of water damage.
- Add beneficial nematodes to the soil around your home.
- Get regular termite inspections by experts from pest control companies.
How To Find Termites In Your Home
Termites can live in your home for years before being detected. These creatures are discreet, and it is essential to discover them before they cause significant damage to your house. These are the signs of termites to look out for in your home:
- Peeling paint similar to water damage
- Small holes in your drywall
- Discolouration in your drywall
- Damaged or crumbling wood
- Loose tiles due to termites introducing moisture underground
- Stuck doors and windows
- Discarded wings that resemble fish scales
- Squeaky floorboards
- Hollow wood when tapped
- Unusual patterns on walls, floorboards, and furniture
- Buckling floorboards
- Presence of mud tubes
- Presence of flying termites
How To Eliminate Termites From Your Property Naturally
Are you a lover of wooden support beams, wooden furniture, or anything wooden? Are you in search of a weapon to eliminate those stubborn wood-eating termites? You may have encountered many products that promise to destroy these pests, but they always disappoint you.
If you are determined to bypass the unnecessary costs of buying such products and handle the matter yourself, here are some tips that can work.
Use Cayenne Pepper
While cayenne adds flavour to your pot of soup, it is also a termite killing machine. Cayenne has an active chemical known as capsaicin that is hot and spicy. This chemical gets rid of termites by attacking their nervous systems.
In small infested areas, you can sprinkle the pepper or create a paste using vegetable oil and apply it to the infested area. Use this method for a week and check its effectiveness.
Introduce Beneficial Nematodes to the Infested Area
Nematodes are tiny roundworms that you cannot see with your naked eye. They fight against termites by injecting deadly bacteria into the pest or feeding on it. The good thing with these worms is that they are not dangerous to human beings, do not destroy wood, and die after attacking the termites.
However, it would help if you were careful when using these worms. Mix the worms with water and spray the infested areas on your property. Allow the wood to absorb the water and spread the nematodes. One spray a day is enough.
Create a Bait Using Wet Cardboard
Sometimes you do not have to attack to win; create a bait system. There are many ways of setting baits for termites, but the most effective one is using wet cardboard. Place the wet cardboard in the infested area and wait for the termites to attack. After a short period, take the cardboard outside and burn it.
Try this method several times for effective results. You can also couple this method with termite poison.
Use Neem Oil
Neem oil has been used for pest control for hundreds of years. It attacks the reproductive cycle of insects and makes them forget food and mating. By doing that, it stops them from reproducing, and they die of hunger. The oil also emits an unpleasant scent to termites, thereby protecting the treated areas.
To make your mixture, emulsify oil from crude neem oil using liquid soap. Mix 2ml soap, 5ml neem oil, and a litre of water. Add the liquid soap and stir in the oil, then add your water. Spray the solution in all affected areas.
Use a Vinegar and Lemon Combo
Make a mixture of lemon juice and vinegar in the ratio of 4:1 respectively. Pour the solution in a spray bottle and spray the infested areas, fence corners, crooks, and wooden structures to kill the termites instantly. Repeat the process after a few days, and it will be successful.
Use Salt
While salt may seem harmless to you, it strikes fear in all termites. Salt kills termites by dehydrating them to death. All you need to do is mix water and salt to create a concentrated solution. Use a syringe to squirt the solution into the infested areas. You can also use salt as a preventative measure around your house.
Use Orange oil
Have you ever wondered what useful thing you can do with orange rinds after feasting on your orange? Well, termite prevention is a good way you can put them to use. Orange peels contain D-limonene, which kills termites.
This termite killer is great because it does not harm you or your pets. However, it is only great above ground. If your infestation is underground, you may need to seek alternative means of extermination.
Use Diatomaceous Earth
You have probably never heard of or come across this term, but it is not as complicated as it sounds. Diatomaceous earth is unique sand consisting of fossilised algae. It has many health benefits to human beings, but it is a killing agent to termites. When pests come into contact with the sand, it cuts through them and draws out moisture from their bodies, killing them.
How To Repair Termite Damage
After getting rid of the termites, you need to repair the areas they damaged. If you do not address the damage, it could damage your entire property. Here is how to repair termite damages:
Using Wood Hardeners
If the damage is minimal, you need wood hardeners to strengthen the wood. Purchase a wood hardener that is suitable for the type of wood you want to repair. Additionally, you can use sealants to stop oxygen flow in case there are termite remnants left behind. This kills the remnants and ensures that you will not face termite infestation soon.
Using Wood Fillers
If the termite damage is extensive, fill the gaps left by termites with wood filler. The first thing to do is to pull the wood out until the surface is smooth, then fill it with the filler. Sand it and probably paint it as well to keep it looking good. During the wet seasons, you should monitor the wood to ensure that it does not absorb moisture. Basically, the wood should always be dry.
Wood Replacement
When the damage is extreme, you should replace the wood. You can cut off the damaged wood and replace it on your own or contract a professional to do it if the sections are extensive. If the damage has extended to the load-bearing wall, it is advisable to engage professionals for replacement.
What Should You Do If Your Home Insurance Does Not Cover The Termite Damage?
In most situations, you cannot file a claim on your home insurance for termite damage. When this happens, these are steps to follow:
- Treat the termites regardless of the damage. You can call a pest specialist to handle the active infestation and stop further damage from taking place.
- If the damage is extensive, please engage a contractor to either replace the wood or add support to the affected wood.
- Put in place preventive measures such as termite barriers and schedule annual inspections.
Prevent Damage By Hiring A Termite Expert
Termites can go unnoticed for years and cause extreme damage to your property. Understand the warning signs and undertake preventive measures. These simple initiatives can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars since home insurance does not typically cover termite damages.
- Always look for signs of termites before buying a house and have regularly scheduled inspections.
- Annual inspections can save you damage costs and reduce the threat of termite damage.
- Prevention of termite infestation is prudent instead of treating the actual infestation. After all, prevention has always been and will always be better than any cure.
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How To Get Rid Of Huntsman Spiders
October 3, 2021
Experts in the field may assure you that huntsman spiders pose little danger to humans. However, they do not appear…
Experts in the field may assure you that huntsman spiders pose little danger to humans. However, they do not appear endearing to quite a number of people. Indeed, you may not want them in your home, house, and car. Below are a few useful guidelines on how to get rid of huntsman spiders. But before that, the article describes the size, diet, eating habits, and why huntsman spiders get into your home.
Size And Locations Of Huntsman Spiders
A giant huntsman spider can have a leg span measuring up to 15 centimetres. This is impressive, right? This makes it one of the most enormous spiders you can find in Western Australia. In addition, there are quite a number of species native to Asia, Africa, and South America.
The Diet Of Huntsman Spiders
Huntsman spiders prey on flying insects, crawling insects, and other invertebrates. This includes geckos and small lizards.
The Mating Habits Of Huntsman Spiders
Again, huntsman spiders differ from some other species in their mating habits. The males are usually not attacked by the females after mating. After impregnation, the female lays around 200 eggs in a silken sac it builds. You can find such sacs under rocks or barks of trees but beware; she usually stands guard for a few weeks.
Thereafter, when it is time, the female will open the egg sac. Thus, the little spiderlings are let out. Though they have a pale colour, they soon change to a distinct grey or brown colour in subsequent weeks.
Do Huntsman Spiders Build Nests?
Interestingly, you will not find huntsman spiders building webs or nests. Rather, it wanders about looking for food or mates. Not having a retreat base or a nest is one area where the huntsman spider differs from house spiders. Interestingly, these two other species of spiders, including the redback spider and the white-tailed spider, also display these traits.
Are Huntsman Spiders Harmful To Humans?
Your chances of being attacked by the huntsman are improbable. Though their bite may be painful, they are otherwise not harmful to humans. Another good thing is that they help remove other pests.
However, it is advisable to place them back outside. Huntsman spiders do attack when they are agitated. You may experience some swelling and need some medical aid. For example, their bite may cause vomiting, headaches, and heart palpitations.
More so, there are people who are afraid of spiders. Indeed, such people would prefer getting pest control to rid their homes or offices of huntsman spiders.
Why Do Huntsman Spiders Get Into Your Home?
Huntsman spiders may chase prey or mates through small openings inside your home, cars, or building. Their almond-like bodies allow them to squeeze around small spaces, and pantry moths buzzing around lights may attract them. Likewise, the warm summer months may make them want to avoid the summer heat.
How To Get Rid Of A Huntsman Spider
Have you tried using a broom on a spider? They are pretty fast, aren’t they? In fact, they may even climb right up the broom onto your arms. Indeed, some people would not want that. So, before you start thinking of inviting pest experts, how do you get rid of huntsman spiders?
Use a container and a piece of cardboard
One effective way is to make use of a container and a piece of cardboard. This is quite useful when the spider is on a flat surface such as a wall. Place the jar or container over the spider. Then, slip the piece of cardboard or paper between the container and the wall. Now, you can move outside, place the container down, and let the spider leave.
Use natural oils such as peppermint or citrus spray
Spiders dislike the scent of peppermint, eucalyptus oil, tea-tree, or citrus. Thus, regularly spraying them down likely entrances deters them from coming in. Simply fill a standard spray bottle with water. Then mix it with 15 to 20 drops of the essential oil. Finally, you can spray it down on cracks and corners.
Place nuts in corners
Moreover, go a step further and place a few nuts in selected corners of your home. This includes walnuts and chestnuts.
Clean up your home
Regular clean-up helps in getting rid of huntsman spiders. This includes cleaning and removing cobwebs from your closets, attic, garage, and dark spaces.
Avoid clutter
Clearly, the fewer hiding spots there are, the fewer spiders you will find. Clear out objects such as gloves, cardboard boxes, and general clutter. You may just be surprised to find clothes moths among old clothes. Surely, this can attract huntsman spiders.
Seal off cracks and openings
You can seal off entryways for huntsman spiders. For example, tiny crevices, vents, door and window openings, and loose screens need to be closed off. Sometimes, a foam sealant or caulk can come in useful here.
Reduce excessive moisture
Where there is excess moisture, insects become common. In turn, they attract spiders. Thus, you may add a dehumidifier in places like your basement.
Get rid of other insects
Indeed, spiders will be there when insects like ants, cockroaches, and ticks exist in the home.
Weed out your perimeter
You make it harder for spiders to make it to your home when you do not have vegetation around. This includes shrubs, woodpiles, composts, and even rocks. Furthermore, you may remove plants from the perimeter of your home.
Turn off outdoor lights
Remember that spiders are attracted to insects. In turn, insects are attracted to light. Therefore, you may avoid spiders by turning off bright outdoor lights.
Use a vacuum cleaner
Get those vacuum cleaners working around corners. A plus is you not only suck up the spiders, but you also remove their webs and egg sacs.
Set up a sticky trap
Go hunting with a sticky trap. This means that you set up a non-toxic trap. Usually, the glue traps the spider. Congratulations, you have caught a spider, though not in a web. Now, you can dispose of it. This is like a catch and release process.
Invite a pest inspection and control service
Another quick and effective solution is to invite a professional exterminator or a pest manager. They can advise you on preventive measures. Moreover, they are equipped with the knowledge and experience to handle a spider infestation. You can, therefore, look up to them for residential or commercial spider control.
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Solutions For Rats In The Roof
October 3, 2021
Rats have been a problem since the start of civilization. They cause a lot of damage to property. They can…
Rats have been a problem since the start of civilization. They cause a lot of damage to property. They can cause severe damage to your electrical wires, essential papers, furniture and food.
One of the most common complaints from home owners relates to rat infestations in the roof. They can cause devastating damage to people’s houses, offices and other properties. They even infest the roof of garages or sheds. Here’s what you need to know about methods of controlling rats in roof.
Importance Of Rat Control
Pest control is essential because pests like rats are harmful to property and documents. They are equally dangerous to human health. Some of the roof rats leave their faeces in food. If a human being eats this contaminated food, they may get severe intestinal problems.
Rats travel a considerable distance, so they gather germs from different places. They are carriers of various viruses, including the Hantavirus and certain medically notorious bacteria like Salmonella. To protect yourself and your family from these pests, you should start rat control immediately.
Problems Due To Rats
Rats and mice can cause considerable damage to your building, food, clothing, wires, electrical gadgets and documents when they gnaw, urinate, defecate, and infest certain areas of the home. The gnawing can lead to problems like electrical breakdown or even fire.
Rats bite people, especially young children, causing diseases. Estimates show that they bite more than 4000 people a year. Sometimes their bite can be fatal. Their urine, droppings, saliva, and even dead skin cells are problematic for people with lung disease. The hair and dead skin cells of rats can trigger asthma attacks and worsen the situation. Therefore, it is essential to get rid of roof rats as soon as possible.
Roof Rats And Their Infestation
Roof rats are quite clever. They can easily climb up walls. Most prefer enclosed and elevated spaces in walls, false ceilings, and the attics. One thing most people don’t know is that rats are social animals. They live in packs, which means that if you see one of them on your roof or home, chances are there are many others. So, it is best to start preventive or control measures.
Rats reproduce quite fast. If you fail to find them in time, they can multiply, and rodent infestation will increase to an unimaginable size.
Rats and mice are more active at night. If you get to see one during the daytime, it means that you have some severe infestation in your house, and this is the surest sign of an infestation. Mice reproduce about 10 to 20 times faster than rats, particularly indoors.
Methods Of Controlling Rats
Ancient Methods of Rodent Control
Ancient Egyptians used pest-destroying animals to protect themselves from the ill effects of rats. Cats were used for this purpose. Cats can keep the rodents out a radius of 50 yards. Today, people still rely on cats to control mice and rats. It is an excellent alternative, much cheaper than most other rodent control methods. But this method might not work where you have severe rat infestation.
Modern Methods of Rodent Control
There are various modern methods you can use to keep rats and mice away from your home. They include biological, mechanical, physical, and IPM strategies. The most common rodent control method is poisoned bait.
Poisoned Bait
Exterminators introduce unique bait stations to get rid of insects and rodents, including roof rats and Norway rats. The bait stations use poisoned bait to kill and control the rat infestation. This method is very effective, but it has some dangerous side effects as well.
Exterminators kill the rats by giving them poisoned food. Poisoned meat is the most common item used. This method guarantees that you will get rid of the unwanted rats and mice. The problem with this method is that a larger animal, most likely your pet, might eat the poisoned meat, and die.
There are many examples of people who died by eating animals that previously had poisoned meat. Some of them were even killed by coming in contact with the poisoned meat. This is the main reason why pest managers mostly avoid this method despite its efficiency.
IPM Strategies
IPM stands for integrated pest management, and it involves use of information relating to the life cycle and spread of harmful pests. The IPM strategies are practical and environment friendly. It is almost impossible to get rid of rats without applying some IPM strategies.
Keeping Rats And Mice Out
The first step is to try your best to keep the rats and mice away from your house and roof. Rats and mice can enter the building through tiny holes in walls, cracks in pipes, sewer outlets and under the door.
You should use some blocking materials to keep them away from your home. Use metal flashing, copper, wool or clothe to block any holes or drains that can be an entry point for the rats. You can use door sweeps under the main doors. Make sure that there are no cracks and openings in your walls.
Manage your Garbage Properly
Garbage is the most favourite place for the rats to reside. Remove and discard any food waste in your house. Discard food items in tightly covered bags or cans. Find and remove all indoor garbage and clean your space properly. Outdoor garbage should also not be placed near your house. Place it on hard concrete surfaces that are far away from your property.
Monitor
Monitoring your home for signs of rodents is an essential step in rodent control. Ensure that you check for rodent droppings, burrows in the ground, nests around cluttered areas, and signs of gnawing on fruits, vegetables, or other food items. Ensure there is no rotten food in the pantry.
Identify the Type of Rat
There are different types of rats which are classified as pests. They include Norway rats that are best at burrowing, roof rats that are best at climbing up walls and false ceilings and lastly, house mice. You can differentiate them based on their footprints and physical appearance.
Use Different Traps
Once you are sure about the type of rats in your home, the next step is to use different traps to get rid of rats. You can use electrocution traps with bait stations. Make sure that you keep your children away from these traps and wear gloves while dealing with them.
Pest Control Professionals Can Help
If you are uncertain if there are still more rats and mice in your roof, you should call a professional pest control expert. This step will ensure that you never have to face rodent control problems ever again in your home.