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6 Things That Attract Rats to Your Home

Brown rat animal, close-up.

What are the things that attract rats to your home?

  1. Food
  2. Garbage
  3. Plants
  4. Water
  5. Warmth
  6. Accessible pathways

 

Experts from House painters in GA has said that far from their small appearance, rats can cause major damage to any home and establishment. They will chew just about anything they see—whether it’s paper, cloth, books, or wood—so they can make their nests. Because of their uncontrollable desire to gnaw their teeth, they would even bite through wires! Aside from that, there is a chance that they can transmit diseases to humans. Other than calling pest control professionals for rat control in the Philippines, you should also know the things that attract rats to your home.

 

Food

If you have a messy kitchen with opened cereal boxes, exposed rice grain sacks, or pieces of leftovers, don’t be surprised if you see rats nesting in your home. Thanks to their strong sense of smell, they will enter your house if they smell food.

Even though rats have preferences—grains, seeds, meat, pet food, or other sweet and salty food—they won’t pass up an opportunity to eat anything you have. In some cases, rats will also chew on sealed plastic packaging of noodles, potato chips, and other snacks.

 

Garbage

Woman throwing garbage into the bin

While rats will eat your fresh food, they won’t be picky when all they can access are spoiled ingredients. If you have a fully exposed garbage can, you have higher chances of attracting rats to your home.

For this reason, it might be a good idea to cover all trash cans and improve your kitchen cleaning regime. Other than that, some rats have also been attracted to digested food such as pet waste.

 

Plants

Other than human meals and garbage, rats also see plants as a source of food. If you have an outdoor garden, they can dig up root crops and damage them before harvest time. Rats will also nibble on grass, weeds, and even small twigs. They also seek out fruits and other vegetation so make sure that you have a pest control solution for your garden.

Indoors, rats are attracted to potted plants because it provides them a safe spot away from people. The pot serves as their shelter while giving them access to fruits and water.

 

Water

Female hand with rag cleaning water from heating radiator leak

Speaking of water, rats are also creatures who seek out moisture. But if they don’t find it outside, they will search inside your home for a watering hole. And with a steady supply of water, they will make your house their nest too.

To lessen this risk, remove any possible water sources inside and outside your home. Some possible attractants are your pet’s water bowl, leaky pipes, and dripping water faucets.

 

Warmth

Just like other animals, rats also need a comfortable place to live in. When searching for a home, they favor spaces that are warm and cozy. Because of this, you might see them gnawing through insulation, wires, and woods in a quest to find a shelter.

This is why when you have a cluttered house, it’s easy for them to find a nest to hide in. Other than that, they’re also attracted to heat-producing appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators. Be careful, because their nibbling can also increase your chances of fire.

 

Accessible Pathways

Accessible Pathways

Rats are small creatures which means that they can access even the smallest entryways to your home. Any hole that is the size of an inch can be a pathway where these pests can enter. But because they’re also good at climbing wires, trees, and ropes, even windows on your second floor can also provide them access inside.

Because of this, that broken screen door or deformed window frame might be the reason why there is a rat infestation in your building today. To prevent this problem, it is a good idea to check for small gaps in your walls, floors, and foundation. Don’t forget to inspect the baseboards, drains, crawlspaces, and even the roofs.

 

Key Takeaway

Even though there are countless things that attract rats to your home, there are also numerous prevention strategies you can implement to make your house rat-proof! To ensure that these pests won’t be interested in your space, you can enlist the help of a pest control professional in the Philippines.

Topbest’s technicians and inspectors are professionally accredited to make your home or establishment a pest-free place. With eco-friendly products, updated detectors, a reliable team of experts, and flexible payment terms, you’re guaranteed to receive the results you want.

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3 Scents That Are Commonly Used to Repel Rats

3 Scents That Are Commonly Used to Repel Rats

What are the scents that repel rats?

  1. Mothballs
  2. Ammonia
  3. Chili oil or powder

 

Tired of trying to and ultimately fail at dealing with a rat infestation at your home or building? You should know that there are certain scents that repel rats and drive these vermin away from you. Rats, after all, are one of the most destructive pests on the planet. Not only are they unsightly to look at — especially if you own a restaurant or a food & beverage business — but they also do irreparable damage to structures. In addition, rats are also disease-carrying pests. When a building or property is left untreated with this type of infestation, there might be outbreaks of salmonella, LCMV (lymphocytic choriomeningitis), or leptospirosis.

Thankfully, there are various natural remedies that produce odors effective at repelling these pests. Some interesting ones include chili oil/powder. Other examples of time-tested odors potent against rats are mothballs, peppermint oils, and ammonia, just to name a few. Read on to learn more about how you can properly incorporate these scents as part of your average rodent-repellent measures.

 

Mothballs

Brown rat animal, close-up.

Mothballs, as the name suggests, are oftentimes used to kill moths at various stages of their development — be it the egg or the larvae. However, they have also been known in the rodenticide industry to effectively repel against rats. Most homeowners place a number of these in certain locations where rats may burrow, such as near garbage disposals, wall openings, or even storage spaces. The naphthalene produced by the mothballs may have enough efficacy to deter rats and other similar rodents.

Over time, the use of mothballs has begun to dwindle, mainly because of its negative health impacts on both humans and pests. While they produce the familiar minty-like smell that’s persistent in most homes, this may be their downfall. Naphthalene, after all, is considered a volatile organic compound (VOC) that presents a number of respiratory and environmental hazards. Prolonged or even short-term exposure to this chemical is associated with potential liver and neurological damage.

Although mothballs may be effective in some regard, they ultimately aren’t the most practical. It’s advised that you skip on these insect and rat-repellent products and instead opt for non-hazardous rat baits or traps.

 

Ammonia

Unlike the naphthalene in mothballs, ammonia has not been known to result in any adverse effects despite human exposure. In fact, it is a common ingredient that you’ll find across everyday home cleaning products. Ammonia is also naturally occurring in the body through a metabolic reaction that breaks down protein-containing food. When understood in the context of rodents, however, ammonia also proves to be an effective chemical treatment.

It goes without saying that before you use any ammonia or ammonia-based product for eliminating these pests, make sure that you identify specific parts of the home where rat sightings may be frequent. Some warning signs include droppings, scratching noises, small bite marks, nests, running tracks (footprints), and the like.

The odor produced by ammonia deters rats because it mimics the smell of predators’ urine. This is why these vermin do everything they can to avoid this scent, making it one of the best deterrents against them. You can buy this product from your local hardware store, and create a detergent-ammonia solution to deter pests. Another simple technique is to douse rags or old pieces of clothing in ammonia and place them in strategic locations around your property.

 

Chili Oil or Powder

Powdered dried red pepper on white background

Containing a chemical compound known as capsaicin, chili oil or chili powder has also been used against rats. Similar to ammonia, the capsaicin in chili-based food products is extremely robust and potent. This was even noted by a group of researchers from Chulalongkorn University, who noted that the natural fragrance emitted by capsicum was repulsive enough to prevent the mice from further returning to the lure.

Unless you gorge on spicy food all the time, you won’t necessarily be able to incorporate chili powder on all of your dishes and use this as a method to keep rats at bay. Instead, you should treat this as you would any other powder-based product — by sprinkling the chili powder in certain locations where rats frequent. Be mindful of any signs of rats, such as the aforementioned ones in this article.

 

Key Takeaway

Having rats at home is both unhygienic and unsafe. As mentioned before, these destructive pests carry a number of diseases. Ultimately, you wouldn’t want your home or property to be ground zero for rat disease outbreaks. Instead, you’ll want to make use of effective treatment methods and scents that repel rats and keep your building safe and free from their damaging effects.

In this guide, we’ve learned three of the most common odors that are used as rat repellent — from the discontinued mothballs to the surprisingly potent capsicum, it’s important to choose the treatment that works best for your situation.

As always, nothing is more effective at keeping rats away from your building, than hiring a professional pest control provider like Topbest. Click here to learn more about our comprehensive rat control techniques that are reliable as well as, safe for both humans and the environment.

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Importance of Rat Control During COVID

Metal cage with a trapped rat

What is the importance of rat control during COVID?

  1. Safe for humans and the environment
  2. Long-term solution
  3. Prevent disease-spreading
  4. Maintain your assets

 

As we navigate our second year of battling the pandemic, health and safety are more important now than ever. Businesses are gradually reopening and as they prepare for a resumption in operations, owners need to focus on pest and rat control during COVID as they try to make their spaces safe for staff and employees.

Instead of just engaging in DIY-rodent control, hiring trained professionals can bring more value to these establishments in the long run. While these pesky creatures might go away after getting caught in a few rat traps, the problem may persist if not addressed at the source. This could potentially lead to serious issues such as equipment damage and disease-spreading which could lead to immunocompromised health in people.

Aside from the daily sanitation of your establishment or residential space, investing in rodent control during the pandemic is one of the best investments you’ll make. A pest control service will ensure that they use safe, long-term rodent control management, thereby giving you more comfort and cost-effective solutions. Read on to learn more.

 

Safe for Humans and The Environment

Rat control services are designed to be the most effective way of getting rid of these pests, while simultaneously reducing the impact on the environment. Unlike pesticides, rodent control professionals are trained to use chemical-free methods that don’t pose any health hazards to humans and the environment.

In integrated rodent management, for example, your professional may focus on four key things: Exclusion, Restriction, Destruction, and Monitoring. First, they start off by sealing all entry points in the building — holes in walls, gaps in floorboards, ceilings, ducts, broken studs, and the like. Your pest control service will also ensure that the rodents aren’t able to thrive in your building, by providing you tips for proper hygiene and sanitation.

For the actual treatment phase, your provider will now turn towards highly effective, yet safe solutions in getting rid of the pests. They may use chemical-free baits or traps strategically placed in different areas of your building. In this way, you can guarantee that you’ll be able to rid your building of these pests while preventing any risk to the health and environment.

 

Long-Term Solution

Brown rat on anchor rope

As mentioned before, DIY-rodent solutions are only effective in the short-term. If you’ve had a rat problem in the past, you’ve probably thought that a few rat traps and baits will do the trick. However, this isn’t a comprehensive solution. Don’t be surprised if you find that after a few weeks or months, you’re back to square one with your rodent problem.

A professional service control provider, on the other hand, ensures that they provide you with only long-term solutions for your problem. Even before the problem persists or takes place in the beginning, they will use preventive measures to approach it. This is done through rat identification and integrated control for a hygienic and rodent-free building.

With a long-term solution comes the cost benefits. You won’t have to continually spend money on ineffective treatment plans that are at best, quick fixes. Instead, you can partner with a reliable pest control provider to get the job done.

 

Prevent Disease Spreading

Rodents, such as hamsters, rats, mice, guinea pigs, can carry certain diseases like leptospirosis. Severe cases of leptospirosis, for example, can affect the lungs. Patients suffering from this disease may begin coughing up blood or may experience difficulty breathing. As COVID is primarily a virus that affects the respiratory health of its host, pre-existing conditions such as leptospirosis might lead to further complications.

Although the situation above is extreme, you certainly don’t want your house or commercial building to be littered with disease-carrying pests. This is why it’s crucial that you invest in rodent control in order to prevent disease-spreading.

For example, if you’re running a food & beverage plant, rodent control will prevent any cases of food contamination from taking place. Your provider will see to it that there are no sources of contamination — rodent droppings, urine, saliva — that will come into contact with food and potentially cause disease transmission. By doing this, you’re not only making the work environment safe for the employees but also ensuring that proper and hygienic food handling is practiced.

 

Maintain Your Assets

Maintain Your Assets

One of the reasons which make rodents one of the most destructive pests is their tendency to feed on anything. In many ways, they are similar to termites — rats may chew on wood, paper, cardboard, and other structures that they come across. This will definitely spell trouble if your building houses different types of assets and equipment.

To avoid any costly damage, a rodent control professional will help you maintain your assets. As these pets tend to gravitate towards hidden areas or undistributed locations, handling them on your own may not be effective.

With professional assistance, however, your provider will be able to identify hotspots and treat them accordingly. Spending on repairs and maintenance won’t have to be an option, thereby allowing you to keep your structure safe and free from rodents.

 

Key Takeaway

Rat control during COVID will benefit your residence or business in a number of ways. With rat control, you can gain access to time-tested treatment solutions that work, even in the long run. You’ll also be able to prevent any damage to your assets, maintain the health and safety of your building, as well as, gain more savings compared to DIY-pest solutions.

In need of reliable rodent control? Topbest’s safe and innovative pest control methods are just what you need. Click here to learn more about our services! You may also contact us for more information on our pest management solutions.

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5 Signs of Rat Infestation

Wild Brown rat at night

What are the signs of a rat infestation?

  1. Rotting smell of dead rats
  2. Rat manure and urine
  3. Rat damage on food and property
  4. Rat nests on small spaces
  5. Hearing rat noise

 

Rats are pests that take your food and destroy property. They often move at night when everyone in the house is fast asleep. That’s why spotting the presence of rats in your house may require more effort. Look around hidden parts of your house for rat infestations. You will see signs that will make you call a pest control team. Freeing your house from these pests start with knowing how to spot their whereabouts.

It is difficult to spot a live rat when looking for one. They may run past you from time to time, but seeing them in one place is rare. Rats like to hide in their nests. Seeing them out in the open can only mean that they are growing in numbers.

 

Rotting Smell of Dead Rats

A strong smell will come from a dead rat, especially if it died in a confined space. Finding one is tricky especially if they die in hard to reach areas like inside a wall. The smell will also last a long time until the body dries up completely. Rats in moist areas will smell strong for longer as the body dries up slower. In addition to following the odor, you may also want to look for insects that a dead rat attracts. Call a pest control team to remove the body safely because contact with a dead rat can spread viruses that can cause diseases.

 

Rat Manure and Urine

Brown rat on anchor rope

Rat droppings are small, dark-colored, and often around ⅜ inch long, and ⅛ inch wide. Fresh ones are moist and soft, while old droppings are dry and darker in color. These droppings have a musky and pungent odor but rat urine has a more noticeable scent. Rat droppings, especially fresh ones, are a sign of healthy rats living in your house. These droppings can be found in their nests.

Be careful in cleaning these because rat droppings and urine are a source of viruses that can cause diseases. Take special care in keeping your food storage rat-free as both rat excrement can contaminate food.

Professionals can estimate how many rats there are by looking at the number of droppings. If you’re wondering, a rat can produce around 30-55 droppings a day.

 

Rat Damage On Food and Property

Rats are pests because they bring damage to property and food. Rat damage includes holes, marks, and scratches in walls, ceilings, furniture, and food packaging. Rat teeth start to grow from the moment they are born and until they die. This means that rats experience teething all the time. Because of this, they like to gnaw on anything. Check on bite marks on places where rats are most likely to live.

Also check exposed food storage for packaging holes, because rats like to eat. Discard food that has bite marks to prevent the spread of viruses.

Another type of property damage is holes. Rats like to gnaw on walls to create pathways. Some like to burrow for nests or storage. In addition to lower areas of your house, also look for high hidden areas such as roofs and ceilings.

 

Rat Nests On Small Spaces

Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Rat nests are often hidden away from human view. Some nests are made near food and water sources so keep a lookout for hidden spaces in your kitchen. Rats like to gnaw and shred materials such as cotton, paper, and fabrics to make into a nest. These can be found inside walls, small crawlspaces, cabinets, and ceiling spaces. Rats like to keep multiple nests so if you find one, then there might still be infestations on other parts of your house.

 

Hearing Rat Noise

If you cannot find nests or droppings, then observe if you can hear rat movement. Rat noise includes gnawing, scratching, squeaking, and scampering. Most likely, you can hear these sounds at night because rats are nocturnal.

 

Key Takeaway

Rats like to hide and move at night. If you want to search for rat infestations, look for signs such as dead rats, manure, damage, nests, and noise. Do not attempt to clear these nests by yourself because rat excrement and rat nests can be a source of viruses that can lead to diseases. Always consult the help of a professional pest control unit to rid your house of rats for good.

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3 Homemade Rodent Trap Ideas

A Little Rat Traped In Mousetrap

What are some homemade rodent trap ideas?

  1. Bowl and Peanut Oil Trap
  2. Bucket Trap
  3. Bottle Trap

 

Rats and mice are two rodents that love to infiltrate and infest people’s homes. Since they not only damage household items but also carry potentially dangerous diseases and pathogens, rodents have to be dealt with as soon as they are detected. That being said, one way of doing that without having to spend a fortune is by using homemade rodent traps.

Given the many different set-ups and varieties of homemade traps, you have a lot of choices as to how you want to go about DIY pest control. However, that also poses a problem because knowing which choice is the best becomes difficult.

To help make the decision easier, here are three homemade rodent trap ideas that can help you deal with any potential infestation.

Bowl and Peanut Oil Trap

Pouring Olive Oil Into Spoon On Green Park Garden Background

If you’re dealing with small-sized rodents like mice, a bowl and some peanut oil can be an effective way of catching them. The concept is simple: add some peanut oil to a large-sized bowl and leave it near areas where you notice some rodent activity. Place an object beside it that will allow them to climb the bowl and fall into the oil — a brick would do just fine.

Once a mouse gets trapped inside, it will not be able to get out because the oiled bowl is too slippery to climb. It is also effective at catching multiple mice because the trapped mouse can attract other nearby mice once it starts making noise.

Remember that this type of trap will not work on bigger rodents because they are able to use their size to knock the bowl over — leaving you with a puddle of oil on the floor and no catch.

Bucket Trap

Metal Bucket

The bucket trap is another popular method of trapping rodents and proves to be a more efficient system than a sticky trap. However, it takes a considerable amount of effort to create. Done properly, it can catch many rats and mice of varying sizes. What you need, aside from a relatively big bucket and some bait, is a ramp (so that the rodents can go up the bucket) and a trapping mechanism.

The trapping mechanisms can vary, but the principle behind them is the same: entice rodents to traverse something that will eventually make them fall into an empty bucket. Examples of things you can use as a trapping mechanism include a spoon, a styrofoam plate, or a paper towel/tissue roll.

Affix your chosen mechanism to the edge of the bucket using a small counterweight or light adhesive and place some bait at the end of the mechanism that looms over the empty bucket. Attach the ramp to the side of the bucket so rodents can access the trap and wait for them to fall inside as they go for the bait. This type of trap requires some research and a little bit of trial and error so try to tweak the set-up if you’re not getting results.

Bottle Trap

Plastic Bottle

There are different types of bottle traps that you can do, but the one that will be outlined here will be the easier and more straightforward type of DIY rat trap. What you need is a plastic bottle, bait, unscented vaseline or oil, and some duct tape.

The first thing to do is to cut the bottle about two-thirds of the way up from the bottom of the bottle. Make sure that the two pieces are separated from the top part. Cut the bottleneck a bit to give it some space then place it inside the other half. Done correctly, rodents won’t be able to step out of the entrance once they come inside the bottle. You are free to release the caught rodents away from your home afterward.

 

Key Takeaway

Now that you know how to make your own style of rodent traps, you are better equipped to deal with rodent pests in your home. However, if they keep appearing even when you’ve dealt with a number of them, you could have a full-blown infestation. If this seems to be the case, be sure to call your local pest control experts and professionals to get rid of them properly.

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Dangers of Pest Contamination in Food

Dangers of Pest Contamination in Food

What are the dangers of pest contamination in food?

  1. Transmission of pathogens
  2. Rapid bacteria multiplication
  3. Cross-contamination
  4. Exposure to parasites
  5. Stored food contamination

 

Pest contamination in food is not only well-known in the food manufacturing industry but in regular households as well. Luckily, some pest control services offer free pest inspections to help prevent these hazardous instances that can endanger the health of individuals from happening. Pest contamination is bad enough, but when it affects your food supply, then it will pose many health risks that you could’ve avoided altogether. Together with a pest control expert, you should push efforts to prevent the dangers of pest contamination in food below.

 

Transmission of Pathogens

It is common knowledge that pests can be the dirtiest and deadliest creatures in the world. They are responsible for many of the well-known diseases which have ultimately caused the demise of countless people. For instance, just a small amount of their droppings or urine can cause diseases and even damage your home. When pests are the culprit of food contamination, the frequency with which they can affect people in your home increases astoundingly!

The transmission of pathogens can happen through one of three ways: bacterial contamination, viral contamination, or parasite contamination. This can happen when the saliva, droppings, blood, or fecal matter of a pest is transferred into your food. The transmission of pathogens can cause hundreds or even thousands of cases of food poisoning worldwide which is why it is essential to maintain the best food-handling precautions as recommended by pest control services.

 

Rapid Bacteria Multiplication

Rapid Bacteria Multiplication

Bacteria can multiply very quickly, especially in a warm, damp environment like containers full of food. Pests tend to defecate even while eating food but make no mistake, they do this no matter the food that they are eating. Once consumed, these droppings can be responsible for dangerous and often fatal diseases such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS),  Salmonella enterica infection, Listeriosis caused by Listeria monocytogenes, etc. Bacteria can spread pretty quickly, sometimes in a matter of minutes.

The velocity of their multiplication might seem exaggerated, but it really can multiply its size every 20 to 30 minutes. This is bad news especially if your food is constantly ridden by pests. The health risk that this poses for humans can be astounding because this multiplication will eventually lead to food poisoning. Pests can contaminate and destroy food worldwide that is enough to feed up to over 200 million people!

 

Cross-Contamination

Pests that contaminate food can be the cause of cross-contamination –  otherwise known as the passing of bacteria from a contaminated source to an uncontaminated one. This means that even if you are confident that your food was not exposed to the risk of contamination, it is still possible that you can contract diseases from it due to cross-contamination caused by pests.

Although there are cases where cross-contamination can be caused by improper food handling, pest contamination can also be the reason for this. An example of cross-contamination is when an uncontaminated piece of meat is placed in contact with a pest-contaminated one.

 

Exposure to Parasites

Exposure to Parasites

This type of hazard can be attributed to the presence of cockroaches and other insect pests. Cockroaches can spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria and 6 kinds of parasitic worms. When transferred to food, they can expose humans to diseases such as Escherichia coli and Shigellosis.

Pests can carry germs and bacteria which can easily be transferred to food, food surfaces, and other food processing equipment. Human pathogens such as Salmonella enterica, Vibrio cholerae, and Staphylococcus aureus are all harmful specimens carried by pests which causes dangerous diseases in humans.

 

Stored Food Contamination

The pests involved in this occurrence can range from flour beetles, weevils, cockroaches, and sometimes even termites. Food contamination in this category happens when pests leave body parts and cast skins or wings within the food that is stored. Also, another major concern about these pest body parts is that they can be ground up along with food products like grains and cereals making them almost undetectable, but just as lethal to humans.

 

Key Takeaway

Making the effort to prevent pest contamination in food should be done as early as the first pest detection that you have experienced. With that, a free pest infection will be delivered to you by a reliable pest control provider near you so it would do you good to contact one today.

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Pest Control Philippines: Home Protection Against Rodents

Pest Control Philippines: Home Protection Against Rodents

What are the steps to establish a good home protection against rodents?

  1. Inspect possible entry points
  2. Store food in sealed containers
  3. Observe proper sanitation
  4. Pay attention to specific items in the house
  5. Invest in traps
  6. Contact a licensed pest control team

 

Pest control in the Philippines, as with other countries in the world, is pretty straightforward. When it comes to eliminating these creepy crawlies from homes, a reliable pest control company is the solution, especially when it comes to rodents.

 

There are many types of diseases that you can contract when you are in proximity to rodents. This is why you need to deal with the problem at the first sign of trouble. Knowing how to identify a rodent infestation and how to prevent their prolonged presence in your home is the best way to keep you and your family safe. Here are the essential tips to establish home protection against rodents:

 

Inspect Possible Entry Points

 

Rodents cannot enter your home if you seal all the entrances that they can use. Find and identify gaps or cracks that rodents may use as entry points. Seal them as soon as possible even if you don’t see the signs of a rodent invasion in your home just yet. This will take you one step closer to preventing further damage caused by these pests. In the Philippines, pest control can easily be done in a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) manner. It all boils down to how attentive you are to the safety of your home from pests.

 

Store Food in Sealed Containers

Store Food in Sealed Containers

The primary thing rodents are attracted to is food, which is why you should do your best to keep them away. Store food properly in containers that are not within the rodents’ reach. Eliminate possible food sources for rodents so you won’t risk contamination and exposure to dangerous diseases. Avoid the rise in numbers of the rodent population by keeping sources of food away from them. Always remember that you have to keep your pantry, kitchen, dining area, or any other place that you store food in as tidy as they can be. This is one of the surefire ways to eliminate rodents in your home as soon as possible.

 

Observe Proper Sanitation

Observe Proper Sanitation

Related to the previous point, proper sanitation is the way to go. Rodents thrive in a disheveled environment — the primary reason why they carry so many dangerous diseases. The sensible way to prevent rodents from attacking your home is to keep it clean. Not only is this a great way to perform pest control, it also fulfills the basic standards for hygiene. Do not limit sanitation to food storage either. You should also properly dispose of garbage bags and clean out the insides of trash containers to eliminate rodents in your home.

 

Pay Attention To Specific Items in the House

 

Aside from the probable areas in the house where rodents can be found, you should also inspect specific items in your home to make sure that rats are not lurking around in there. If you have items such as boxes or other packages that you have recently brought into your home, make sure that rodents have not used this as their hiding spot. In addition, you may want to check drawers or bags that rodents are attracted to munch on. If you suspect a probable rodent infestation, be mindful of these items so you will know where to look to identify these pests.

 

You should also look into the roof area of your home and search for loose mortars or strippings around the windows. If you find signs of wear and tear in sites such as broken pipes or clogged drains,  eliminate moisture in these areas immediately because these are the best breeding sites not only for rodents, but for other pests as well.

 

Invest in Traps

Invest in Traps

There are effective traps that you can use in your home like snap traps or mouse glue traps. Investing in traps is one of the cheapest and fastest ways to get rid of rodents in your home. If you don’t feel like being near them, you should purchase poison baits so there is no escape for these annoying pests. Check these traps regularly because if you leave dead rats lying around, there is a certain odor of decay that can last for several days.

 

Contact a Licensed Pest Control Team

 

If your rodent problem has gotten out of control, it is advisable that you call a pest control company to deal with them. Do not hesitate to ask help from experts because they know all about the nitty-gritty of pest control. In the Philippines, rat control can easily be done if you identify the problem firsthand. However, pest control services are the best people to deal with these occurrences because of their extensive knowledge and expertise on the matter. Contact an efficient team near you if you suspect that rodents have invaded your home.

 

Key Takeaway

 

As what is commonly said, “Prevention is better than cure.” Home protection against rodents should be done without question in order to promote safety in your house and against dangerous diseases as well. Identifying rodents is the key to eliminating them completely.

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Things to Consider in Selecting Pest Control Services for your Establishment

Things to Consider in Selecting Pest Control Services for your Establishment

What are the things you need to consider in selecting pest control services for your establishment?

  • Research about the company
  • Check out previous clients’ testimonials for their service
  • Choose a company with reliable customer service
  • Choose a pest control service that uses safe products

 

Selecting the best team for your pest control services will be easy if you know that they can deliver the best results for your needs like rodent control or termite control. Whether you are a homeowner, renter, or landlord, you need to control your household pests through preventive measures and you can ask for the services of a pest control company to give you further knowledge on this. In the event of extensive pest infestation, they can do the job for you.

You should choose the pest control services that will not operate on promises but on results. Costs should not be the primary reason for choosing the company to help you because there are affordable pest control services that are incompetent. Instead, choose the company that will not be a huge burden on your finances but will help you control your problems with pests.

Look for quality and value in your prospective pest control company. A competent company knows their way around the pest infestations. Ensure that they will use insecticides and other measures in a safe and effective way—one that does not endanger your health and property.

Before calling a pest control company, consider the following reason for selecting pest control companies for their services:

Research about the Company

Research about the Company

Encountering a pest problem requires instant results. You should put the pest control companies to the test by reading on testimonials from their previous clients. Check if they can be competent enough to handle it as quickly as possible. However, if the problem is not that persistent, it is best that you wait a few days to select a competent, reasonably priced company.

Most companies provide a free quotation for their services so you should have a mini survey on which is the most affordable for their services.

When most people discover a pest problem, they want the problem eliminated immediately.  However, most problems can wait a few days so you have time to select a competent, reasonably priced company.  It is wise to obtain several estimates from prospective companies.  Most of them will provide free estimates.

 

Check Out Previous Clients’ Testimonials for Their Service

You will be employing the help of a pest control service company and, of course, you would want to ensure that you will be receiving good service. In order to be assured of this, look out for good reviews from other customers, industry experts, and the community.

It would be even better if the company has a website. With it, you can easily search for reviews from previous customers. However, if they do not have one, you can talk to your family or neighbors. Good chance if they have heard about the pest control company, they can give you positive or negative feedback on their services. A good company will always have their reputation precede them so you wouldn’t need too much time doing research.

Choose a Company with Reliable Customer Service

Choose a Company with Reliable Customer Service

When a Pest Control Company has good customer service, it means that they care about customer satisfaction and they are most likely to give you quality service. Red flags should be raised if the company you are calling seems rude, unwelcoming, unreachable or unprofessional. If their customer service sounds like this, it will reflect on their staff and the management will be a total turn off for those who want to avail their services.

Expect treatment with the same quality if you encounter these negative behaviors.

 

Choose a Pest Control Service that Uses Safe Products

Pest control, if not done right, can pose serious health risks to you and people that go in and out of your establishment. Let’s say you have an event place that has high traffic of people. You would want to have a pest control company that is meticulous and guarantees safety above all. Proper implementation of rodent control, mosquito control, or termite control will go a long way in terms of health and safety. There should be a high regard for safety as much as there is for eliminating pests.

Talk with pest control technicians about the types of treatment options available and what chemicals they may contain. If the technician is persistent in denying any harmful effects of their product, you might want to think twice.

 

Key Takeaway

These are just a few things you have to consider when selecting a pest control service for your establishment. Avoid scams from companies who claim to be the saving grace for your pest control problem because most often than not, they are not the solution. Instead, choose the pest control that is reliable, knowledgeable, approachable, and best of all, committed to eliminating the pests in your establishment.

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7 na Peste na Madalas Makita sa Pilipinas

7 na Peste na Madalas Makita sa Pilipinas

Ano ang mga peste na madalas makita sa Pilipinas?

  1. Langgam
  2. Anay
  3. Daga
  4. Ipis
  5. Lamok
  6. Surot
  7. Kuto

 

Ang mga peste ay isa sa problemang kinakaharap natin ngayon. Hindi mo agad masasabi kung mayroon na bang mga insektong nagtatago sa iba’t-ibang sulok ng iyong tahanan. Kaya naman dapat ay maging kaugalian na ang paghikayat sa pest control.

Ngunit may mga pagkakataong hindi mo na kayang kontrolin nang mag-isa ang mga insektong ito. Kapag nangyari ito ay dapat ka ng humingi ng tulong sa propesyonal na pest control operator para maagapan agad ang sitwasyon bago pa ito lumala.

Ano nga ba ang mga peste na parating nanghihimasok sa mga tahanan?

Tatalakayin ng post na ito ang 7 na peste na madalas matagpuan sa Pilipinas.

 Langgam

Langgam

Kung mahilig ka mag-iwan ng mga pagkain kung saan-saan, kailangan mong mag-ingat dahil baka sinusugod na ng peste na ‘to ang bahay mo.

Maraming klase ang mga langgam. Mahahati sila sa dalawang kategorya o dalawang kulay: itim o pula.

Ang itim na langgam ay madalas matagpuan sa loob ng tahanan. Madalas silang sumisingit sa mga mailiit na butas, lalung-lalo na kapag iniiwan mong nakabukas ang iyong mga pinto at bintana.

Para naman sa mga pulang langgam, sila ‘yung sobrang makati kapag kinagat ka. Karaniwan silang matatagpuan sa labas, sa hardin o ‘di kaya’y sa bakuran.

Kapansin-pansin na bihira mong makitang nagsosolo ang mga langgam. Lagi silang kabilang sa isang hanay o grupo.

Gaano nga ba kalaki ang pinsala na kayang idulot ng mga maliliit na insektong ito? Una ay kaya nilang mamerwisyo ng mga tao. Tapos ay kaya rin nilang atakihin ang mga pagkain mo, lalung-lalo na kung hindi ito nakaimbak nang maayos. At idagdag mo pa rito ang gimbalang pwede nilang maidulot sa mga halaman—minsan ay gagawin din nila itong pagkain.

Buti na lang ay marami namang mga paraan para sugpuin ang mga langgam—mga pest control na kayang-kaya mong gawin bago ka tumawag ng pest control operator. Nangunguna na nga rito ang paggamit ng insecticide. Pero kung masyado nang nakakagambala ang presensiya ng langgam sa iyong bahay at ‘di mo na ito maagapan, dapat ay kumonsulta ka na sa propesyonal na pest control operator.

 

Anay

Mahirap detektahin ang mga anay sa iyong bahay. Ang mga anay ay maliliit na insektong may hawig sa langgam. Nginangatngat nila ang kahoy at iba pang materyales.

Mahirap mang tuklasin ang presensiya ng mga anay sa bahay mo, mayroon namang mga senyales na dapat mong bantayan—ang mga senyales na ito ang magpapahiwatig na nagtatago na nga ang mga anay sa sulok ng iyong tahanan.

Una ay pwede kang humanap ng mga dumi at alikabok na iniiwan nila, o kaya’y isang tambak ng dumi na ginagawa nilang lagusan para mapasok ang iyong tahanan. Kapag binantayan mo ang mga babalang ito ay maaagapan mo agad ang presensya ng anay.

 Daga

Daga

Isa ito sa mga pinakamalaking pesteng nanggigimbala ng mga tahanan.

Ang pinakasimpleng paraan para sugpuin ang mga ito ay akitin mo sila palabas ng iyong bahay o patayin mo sila. Maaari kang maglagay ng pagkain malapit sa isang patibong, lalung-lalo na at madali silang matukso sa pagkain. Maliban dito, marami pang ibang paraan para kontrolin ang mga daga sa bahay mo.

 

Ipis

Isa sa mga pinakakinatatakutang peste ang ipis. Marami ang nanginginig sa takot masilayan lamang ito—lalung-lalo na ‘pag nagsimula na itong lumipad.

Madalas matagpuan ang ipis sa mga madidilim na lugar; dagdag mo pa rito ang sulok na puro dumi, kalat, at tubig. Ang mga pagkaing iniiwang nakatengga ay pwede ring mang-akit sa ipis. Buti na lang ay may pest control para padaliin ang pagsugpo sa pesteng ito.

 Lamok

Lamok

Ang mga lamok ay lumilipad na insektong sumisipsip sa iyong dugo sa bawat pagkakataong mahahanap nito. Madalas silang mangagat ‘pag gabi o ‘pag ikaw ay nasa labas.

Maliban sa pagiging makati, ang kagat ng lamok ay maaari ring maglaganap ng iba’t-ibang malubhang sakit, kagaya na nga lang ng dengue at malaria.

Karaniwang natatagpuan ang mga lamok sa lugar na may tubig. Ugaliing ‘wag mag-imbak ng tubig at magpahid din ng mga produktong kontra sa mga pesteng ito (kagaya na lang ng lotion).

 

Surot

Hindi ganon kalaganap ang mga surot, lalung-lalo na kung ikukumpara mo sa ibang peste. Pero importante pa ring maagapan silang kaagad.

Madalas silang nakikita sa mga kutson, karpet, at iba pa.

 

Kuto

Ang kuto ay isa ring peste na mahilig ding sumipsip ng dugo. Matatagpuan sila sa ating ulo, kung saan naaakit sila sa dumi ng buhok. Parehong tao at hayop ang pwedeng maapektuhan ng kuto.

Mabuti na lang ay mayroon ng mga shampoo at ibang produktong kontra sa kuto. Maaari ka ring gumamit ng suyod—isang suklay na ginagamit para alisin ang kuto sa iyong buhok.

 

Konklusyon

Hindi na bago ang peste sa Pilipinas. Maraming tahanan na lang ang ginagambala nito araw-araw. Kaya naman importante ang maging pamilyar sa mga pesteng madalas sumalakay sa iyong tahanan at alamin ang nararapat na pest control na pwede mong gawin. Mahalagang maagapan mo ang mga ito bago pa lumala ang sitwasyon.