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Rats in attics are one of the most common problems in both homes and commercial buildings. Of course, people want to get rid of the rats and take proper measures to make sure that every rat is taken out of the attic. But, a proper rat clean-out requires much more than simply just getting rid of the existing rats. If you don’t seal up the open areas where the rats are coming in and properly clean and decontaminate the attic, you’ll most likely just find yourself having another rat problem in a few months. To perform a full and thorough rat clean-out in your attic, you’ll need to follow these steps.

The first thing you need to do of course, is get rid of the rats. There are many ways that you can do this, but the best are probably snap traps. Snap traps are easy to set up and are the most effective. Rat poison is not recommended as it causes rats to die and disintegrate within the walls of the building, causing a horrible stench for some time to come. Glue traps can be used, but many find them inhumane and they are not nearly as effective as snap traps.

Once you’re certain that you’ve gotten rid of all the rats, you then need to seal the entry points shut. This is because if you only get rid of just the rats that are there, more rats will find their way into your attic and you’ll only be dealing with a whole new rat problem in just a little while. If you can find the locations where the rats are coming in from, block them off and seal them permanently. If you can’t find the points where the rats are getting in, hire a professional. They’ll be able to tell you exactly where the rats are coming in from and they’ll also be able to seal them shut for you.

Your next steps will be to fully clean and decontaminate your attic, and doing this serves a few purposes. First, you need to clean away up all the garbage that is in and around the attic. It’s true that rats don’t only infest dirty areas but, it’s also true that excess garbage can attract rats. Clean it up, and you’re less likely to tell nearby rats that your attic is a good place to take shelter.

Cleaning is also very important because rats leave behind feces and urine. Not only do these carry awful diseases, but they also release pheromones, which can attract other rats. Make sure that you clean every area that the rats have been with warm, soapy water. This should be the last step you should have to make before you can enjoy your attic again that’s been perfectly cleaned out of rats, and all signs of them!

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258.

Rats and Mice are cute when they are in the pet store, but if you’re sitting on your couch watching television the last thing in the world you want to see out of the corner of your eye is a rodent crawling across the floor.  Even worse, rats and mice can stay hidden in your walls or other nooks and crannies of your house until they cause noticeable damage.

Rodents can cause destruction to your home by chewing walls, floorboards, and even furniture and carpeting.  They are prolific gnawers and might even chew through wires, causing electrical problems or even creating a fire hazard in your home. 

Rodents are notoriously filthy.  They can soil flooring with their urine and droppings which they use to mark their trails.  They may also build nests inside your walls for breeding and can carry diseases as they crawl around your floors, counters, and cupboards seeking food sources.   Because of this, if you have pets or children crawling around on the floor, you’ll want to pay special care to rodent prevention.

Rats and mice both reproduce at exponential rates.  That means that as long as they have access to food and water, they can easily overwhelm your property in a very short time.  Keeping your eyes open for the earliest signs of a rodent infestation will help you nip the problem in the bud and save you time and money in the long run. 

A professional pest control service can help you determine where rodents may be hiding out on your property and assist you in designing a custom pest control program that will not only rid of these pests, but help prevent them from returning in the future.  For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to http://www.accuracypluscalifornia.com/.

Rodents—particularly rats and mice—are among the most common household pests.  But they deserve special attention because they bring with them a unique set of problems. 

For one thing, they are known to carry and transmit a wide range of infectious diseases that can threaten the health and wellness of your family.  Another concern is how quickly these critters can reproduce.  Just two mice can produce up to 200 offspring in four months!  Rodents are also quite intelligent, which makes them difficult to catch or trap.  They even have the ability to extract bait from the traps without setting them off.  Furthermore, rodents can contaminate the food and any surface they come into contact with, which means even when they are not around you can still contract diseases from their nocturnal visits.

As with most pest control, the best way to control rodents is by taking preventative measures.  Since they often come in to your home searching for food, it is essential that you keep food sealed up and dishes washed.  You can also make sure there are no entry points around the outside of your house where small creatures can get inside. 

Keep an eye out for tell-tale signs of rodents, even if you haven’t seen them in the flesh.  Rodent droppings, foot prints in the dirt or dust, chew marks around baseboards or grates, and even noises inside the walls or ceilings.  

Don’t hesitate to address a rodent problem.  If you suspect rodents in your home, you should contact a professional pest control service like Accuracy Plus California.  With years of experience, we can help identify the extent of the problem and make recommendations for controlling the problem now and in the future.  For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

You may have started to see traces of a rodent infestation on your property and you are considering the best way to manage it.  There is a lot of information out there on rodent pest control, but take care that you are getting your information from a trusted, professional source.  There are many myths about rodent infestations which you should know about before you decide on a course of action.

For one thing, many people believe that rodents will go outside to die after they eat rat poison.  In fact, there is no guarantee this will happen.  Rat poison usually causes death in these creatures within two weeks of them consuming it, so you have no way of knowing where they will be when it finally hits them.  It is entirely possible that they will end up dying in their nests or in the passageways of your walls an attic.

Another common myth perpetuated by Saturday morning cartoons is that cheese is the best rodent bait.  Mice will actually prefer seeds, peanut butter, fruit and even meat.  You can even use nesting materials like cotton balls or tiny fabric scraps which will attract females who are preparing a nest.

Some people also believe that if they have pets like cats and dogs, these will take care of any rodent problems.  But mice and rats are far too intelligent for your pets—and they’ll simply travel inside the walls or in places that your pet can’t get at them.

Finally, many people think that having rodents is a sign of poor sanitation.  This is just not true.  Rodents will move in and make a home anywhere they find an opportunity. The only thing they need to make themselves at home is shelter with access to food and water.  That could be almost anywhere—even in your home.  Remember to keep your trash containers sealed closed and keep your food sealed up as well.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

Anyone who has had a rodent infestation in their home can attest to how difficult it is to get rid of these critters and keep them away.  Once rats or mice have made themselves comfortable in your house they will keep coming back despite your best efforts and trapping and killing them.  This is because getting rid of the pests is only half the answer.  The other half involves prevention and it requires an entirely different set of tools.

You’ll want to begin by thoroughly inspecting your entire property, inside and out.  Look for signs of rodents such as droppings or gnawing marks.  Even if there are no rodents currently in your home, these clues can show you where trouble areas might be.

As you look around the perimeter of your house, check for any gaps that are bigger than half an inch.  There are foam fillers or wire mesh that can be easily cut and fit into place.  For larger holes, you might want to use sheet metal or other durable materials.  Additionally, look for old or damaged weather stripping around windows and doors.

Your roof should be clear of any tree branches, which can be used as easy pathways for rodents to get into your home.  The roof itself should be completely secure, including all shingles, vents and the chimney.  Also, any appliance vents or pipes should be equally sealed off.

After making sure that all entry points have been eliminated, be sure that there is no ready source of food or water available to them.  That means keeping pet food inside at night and removing bird feeders or other wild animal feeders.  You’ll want to get locking trash can lids, keeping food in your pantry and cupboards sealed up.

Finally, clean up any existing droppings or other leavings that may attract future rodents.  Use bleach to clean the areas where you find evidence of mice or rats, and around the entry points even if they are sealed off.  The bleach will kill any existing scent that previous rodents have left and act as a deterrent for others.

Rodent infestations are frustrating and difficult to manage, but by focusing as much on prevention as on elimination you’ll be able to solve your rodent problem once and for all.  For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

Despite all the cartoons and kids’ shows featuring cute and cuddly mice and rats, these critters are actually one of the least welcome pests in any home.  Because they tend to live in unsanitary places, they can carry diseases into your house or place of business putting your health at risk.

Rats can live and breed anywhere in your home including inside drains; inside your flooring, walls and attic; in your garage; or even under furniture or in closets that don’t get used frequently. They thrive in areas where they have easy access to food and water, so keeping your home clean and any possible food sources sealed up is key to controlling and preventing an infestation. 

If you suspect you may have rats or mice on your property, look for these signs:

• Droppings
  Rats and mice both leave droppings everywhere they go.  These appear to be small dark pellets that usually range between 1/8-1/4 inch. 
• Gnawing or Rub Marks
  Rats and mice are constantly gnawing on things to keep their teeth sharp.  You may notice areas in your drywall or furniture that look like they’ve been chewed on.  Rats leave rub marks—greasy dark trails—along the passages that they travel regularly.
• Tracks
  Tracks can appear in the dirt outside or in the dust in your garage.  You’ll be able to see clearly the little feet and/or tails outlined along floors and walls.
• Odors
  Rats use urine to mark their passageways and they also have their own distinct odors which most pest control experts are experienced enough to determine.
• Sounds
  You may hear the sounds of scratching, chewing, or running through your walls, ceiling or doorways. 

During cold months, rats and mice may infest a home that doesn’t usually have pest issues.  They are seeking shelter, warmth and nourishment.  Before the cold weather hits, you may want to have a pest control expert come out to your property and look for problem areas to help you prevent any uninvited guests. 

Once you find rodents on your property, there are other ways to rid yourself of them including state of the art baits and traps.  However, it is best to consult with a professional before employing any of these methods to ensure the safety of any children or pets in your family.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to http://www.accuracypluscalifornia.com/.

Rodent Proof Your Home

Do you hear the pitter-patter of little feet? They might not be the kind of visitor you like – especially if they leave droppings behind. Rats and mice are a real nuisance. But more than being just irritating, they can also be a real health hazard. Rats and mice also track in dirt, illness and disease.

Believe it or not, rats and mice can fit through incredibly small cracks and holes to get into your home. In fact, mice can squeeze through the cracks under your door. No space is too small for rats or mice to get into, and make the perfect entry into your home.

As part of our inspection, we look for those small cracks and holes that allow critters into your home. We’ll screen off the holes, seal up cracks, and install sweeps under the door.

Rodents are opportunistic creatures. They look for entry into a home because it provides them with a warm place to live and regular food. When you eliminate their entry into your home, you eliminate your rodent problem. For a free inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to http://www.accuracypluscalifornia.com/.

Living in Southern California is great – especially with the easy access to the beach, and all the sunlight. That kind of environment is attractive to people, and unfortunately, it works just as well for rats.

Rats are scavengers that look for opportunities – opportunities for food and shelter. You can do a lot to keep your home from becoming a welcoming environment for rats, by controlling their access to food and shelter. Here are some tips:

• Keep garbage can lids shut tightly so rats can’t get into them.
• Cover all openings to your home with screens – remember rats can squeeze through tiny openings or cracks.
• Stack fire wood at least 18 inches off the ground and away from your home.
• Don’t leave pet food in your yard – this is an invitation for rats.
• Keep tree branches trimmed away from your roof and eaves.
• Rats live in sewers – keep your kitchen sink clean, don’t throw grease down the drain, rinse your sink and pipes with bleach or a bleach alternative.
• Keep your toilet lid down when not in use.

The best way to get rid of rats permanently is with the use of rat traps. If you poison rats, you run the risk of the rat ingesting the poison, then working their way into your walls or crawl spaces to die and decompose.

If you’d like more information on the type of rat traps I recommend for keeping rats off your property, go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com