How to Combat a Rodent Infestation

ANTIOCH — There are a couple of ways to combat a rodent infestation, but in order to ensure both safety and effectiveness, it’s necessary to have an understanding of correct application techniques.

One popular option for combating a rodent infestation is to use poison, which, while often effective, has at least one substantial downside. Since a rodent continues to be mobile after ingesting poison, when it finally does expire, it could be anywhere in or around your home, resulting in a foul smell from an undetectable carcass. Also, keep in mind that poison can kill secondary animals if proper precautions aren’t taken.

Due to these risks, it’s critical to apply poison in a safe manner. The best technique is to place the poison in a lockbox specifically designed for pest control application, which will keep pets and other animals out while maintaining access for rodents. However, since rodents are still free to roam after ingesting the poison, these boxes are best used outside the home to avoid the aforementioned carcass recovery issues.

The other common option for combating a rodent infestation is to use conventional snap traps. Snap traps have been around a long time and are still the most effective way to kill and dispose of rodents. However, like poison, traps can be dangerous for children and pets (not to mention yourself), so be sure to place them in areas where they can’t be easily accessed, whether up out of reach or in a secure box.

If you’re not having any luck resolving your rodent problem independently, consider calling a professional pest control company. An experienced technician will perform an inspection of your home and let you know the best way to get the issue under control.