The Pros Of Professional Rat Removal: Why Expertise Matters In Rodent Control
When it comes to the issue of rats in homes or businesses, the situation demands immediate and serious attention.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that rats are capable of transmitting over 35 diseases to humans, either directly or indirectly. Coupled with their rapid reproduction rates, the urgency for effective control measures becomes clear.
While DIY methods and commercially available solutions might seem convenient, they often fall short of addressing the root of the problem.
This blog aims to highlight the critical importance of professional expertise in rat removal, demonstrating why specialized intervention is vital for comprehensive and lasting rodent control. Read on!
The Potential Risks of a Rat Infestation
A severe rat infestation can lead to a world of problems. The chief among them include:
Health Risks
Rats have been associated as one of the primary disease carriers for numerous plagues and pandemics throughout history. Some of these diseases include Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Lassa Fever, Leptospirosis, and Rat-Bite Fever.
Additionally, parasites that feed on infected rats, such as ticks, mites, fleas, and mosquitos, can act as vectors, spreading diseases to humans. These include Anaplasmosis, Colorado tick fever, and Flea-borne (Murine) Typhus, among others.
Physical Damage
Unlike their smaller cousins (mice), rats have teeth strong enough to gnaw their way through the wired mesh, concrete, and even aluminum.
In contrast, wood, the most commonly used building material in America to construct homes and smaller buildings, does not stand a chance against them.
A severe infestation can seriously compromise a home’s or building’s integrity.
Rats are also known for gnawing through and chewing up electrical wires. Not only can it be an expensive affair to locate and fix the issue, but they can also lead to electrical fires.
Monetary And Reputational Impact
A rat infestation at a business place can severely hamper your operations. Rats can severely damage or contaminate inventory, which is a substantial monetary loss in itself.
Over and above this, it could also lead to a loss in productivity or, in extreme cases, cause your business to be shut down due to health and safety violations.
And finally, there is reputational impact, especially if your business is related to food production, processing, or service. A rat infestation associated with your brand will lead to a severe loss of reputation, leading to a drop in sales and revenue.
Why Are Off-the-Shelf Commercial Products Not Good Enough?
While there are a plethora of over-the-counter rat control products available in the market today, taking a DIY approach with sole reliance on said products, more often than not, is an exercise in futility.
While these products are effective in their own right and help get rid of the odd rodent, they come nowhere close to dealing with the root of the problem.
Below are facts that support this assertion:
They Are Generic Products
There are over 60 known species of rats worldwide, each with different food preferences and physical and behavioral traits. While some of these off-the-shelf products may be effective on certain species of rats, others may be wholly or partially immune to them.
They Pose a Significant Health and Safety Risk
Off-the-shelf commercial products often contain toxic chemicals that are not only fatal for rats but can also have severe and deadly consequences if ingested or inhaled by humans and pets.
Certain products, such as glue mats or rat traps, can also injure or harm other animals, such as birds or squirrels, that are not the intended target of these products.
They Are Not Environmentally Friendly
Commercial products significantly affect the application area’s environment and biodiversity if not used as recommended and disposed of properly. For example, if not disposed of properly, rat poison can contaminate the soil or water, leading to secondary poisoning of other plants or animals.
Why Are Professional Services the Way to Go?
Conventional thinking often leans towards attempting to get rid of a rat infestation yourself, especially cause there is a myriad of products readily available and are backed by convincing advertisements and bold claims.
However, as we discussed in the previous section, they have limitations and drawbacks.
Here are a few reasons why professional pest control services are typically more effective in managing rat infestations:
Targeted Solutions
Unlike off-the-shelf alternatives that take a one-size-fits approach, professional rat extermination services often provide targeted solutions to deal with the problem at hand. They take into account factors such as:
- The severity of the infection.
- Potential extry and exit points to the property.
- Identify the primary nesting areas.
Professional rat extermination specialists also possess extensive knowledge of rodent biology and behavior, which puts them in a better position to devise an effective solution based on the current situation.
Access to Specialized Products and Equipment
Professional Rat Extermination services also have access to highly regulated commercial-grade products that are far more effective than their off-the-shelf counterparts.
For example, fumigation is one of the most effective techniques when dealing with severe cases of rat infestation. The tools, products, and expertise to perform the said solutions are only available and best left to the professionals.
Safety for Everyone Involved
Professional Rat extermination service providers must adhere to strict levels of operational procedures and come under the purview of several environmental laws and policies. Due to this, the result is a safer method to eliminate the infestation without harming people or pets.
The same laws also require them to clean up and safely dispose of any harmful substances that may pose a risk to any living thing or the environment.
Cost Effective in the Long Run
While calling in the professional results in an upfront expenditure, enlisting their services and getting rid of the problem from the get-go will more than make up for it over time.
Not only will you not have to keep shelling out money on off-the-shelf products to deal with one or two rats at a time, but you will also save yourself a ton of money in potential medical bills and prevent further damage to your property.
Professional services also go over and beyond to give you a list of tips and suggestions for preventing another infestation in the future.
They Prevent Future Infestations
Experts not only remove existing rats but also provide solutions to prevent future infestations. They can identify potential entry points and suggest structural modifications or other preventative measures.
Peace Of Mind
Finally, enlisting the service of professionals can offer you the peace of mind of knowing that your problem is being dealt with by experts who know what they are doing and that your home or place of business will be safe from rats for the foreseeable future.
Summary
Dealing with a rat infestation, whether in a home or a business, is a daunting and serious matter. Rats not only pose significant health risks but can also cause extensive physical damage, potentially leading to fire hazards and compromising the structural integrity of buildings.
While the temptation to save a few dollars and go down the DIY route seems appealing, this approach almost always fails to eradicate them effectively. Rats are clever and are survivors. However, they are no match for the expertise and experience professional pest control services bring to the table.
If you live in the vicinity of Lower Mainland and are looking for the best pest control professionals in town, look no further than Ridall Pest Control.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are the signs of a rat infestation?
If you see rat dropping (a cluster of small dark pellets), gnaw marks on furniture or near your baseboards, exposed wires, or anywhere near your kitchen, you are most likely looking at a potential rat infestation.
Scratching noises or the noise of something scuttling on your roof or beneath the floorboards(usually after dark)are a dead giveaway of the presence of rats.
How can I prevent future rat infestations?
Firstly, make your home less appealing to them. You can do this by eliminating access to food sources by storing food in an airtight container or keeping your home clean. Secondly, block their entry by sealing cracks and holes in your home’s exterior and remove clutter around your property that could provide hiding spots for rats.
How do I know that I have a severe rat infestation?
You may be dealing with one specimen if you only see occasional droppings and if they have stopped after trying out a few over-the-shelf rat countermeasures.
However, if you see clusters of droppings, signs of nesting, and an abundance of gnaw marks, you may be dealing with a severe infestation, and it may be time to bring in the experts.
