Rats – Pest Control Service DOs & DON’Ts
DO NOT USE BAIT …
…in the interior of your property if you have a rat problem
Recently, I have had a number of rat jobs inside homes where bait has been used.
Upon finding this out, I ask that all the bait be removed and hope the damage has not been done.
Some homeowners have learned somewhere that rats will need water and will go outside or after it dies, will dry up with no smell.
Unfortunately this is not the case; an ill feeling rat will tuck up somewhere warm next to a heat duct or a light fitting.
The smell of a dead rat can last three to five weeks.
The only way to find it is by opening the ceiling or wall and going towards the strongest smell but you may not always be able to get to them.
The way to deal with a rat problem is:
- Find all the entry points which will be a hole greater than 1/2” and grease marks;
- Then seal all these entry point except one. On this one, fix a one-way door which lets the rats out but they cannot re-enter.
If I can place snap traps where they are traveling on the inside, then I will. The activity on the inside could last a few days, then I remove the one-way door, seal the opening – end of problem!
Give us a call or get a quick quote if you have a problem with rats – we serve the entire Vancouver Lower Mainland & North Shore with pest control services which are 100% satisfaction-guaranteed!
Squirrel Removal
We have a thriving squirrel population here in Vancouver and these fluffy-tailed pests can chew their way into your attic.
How Squirrels Gain Entry Into Your Attic
If there is a small gap, these rodents will enlarge it to gain entry.
There are weak points on some roofs and this is usually where one roof joins another (see examples A & B – how squirrels gain entry into your home). This area may be water tight but not always squirrel/rat proof. On tiled roofs, it is usually on the hips underneath the last hip tile that are the entry points (see example C).
Squirrels will have their young from early spring, on so if you hear something, do not delay in contacting a professional pest control company.
How We Remove Squirrels
Apex Pest Control will inspect the entire roof to find all the entry points, seal all but one with ¼ inch wire mesh and fix a one way door to the last entry point.
Leave the door in place for 7-14 days, for the squirrels to vacate, then remove the door and seal the opening.
Sometimes clients do not call for assistance soon enough.
The squirrel has had young, and at this point; I inform the client it may not be possible to extract the young due to their location. It would be best to leave it for a couple of weeks until the young ones are old enough that when I install a one-way door, they can leave under there own steam.
Footnote to self: Do not get carried away and putting your hand in a hole because the squirrel could be on the inside and will growl much to the amusement of my last client.
How To Inspect For Bedbugs
With all the publicity about bed bugs, I still find it hard to believe the number of people who do not check the beds when staying at a hotel.
Inspecting A Vancouver Island Hotel For Bed Bugs – scroll down for more photos
It only takes five minutes and can offer peace of mind for the duration of their stay. I always check regardless of the star rating and have found them in an apartment in New York where we stayed a number of years ago.
You may say that it’s New York, but comparing the statistics now, one in 2,000 of the population have bed bug problem in New York compared to Vancouver where it is one in 1,000.
Recently, I took these photographs from a room that had bed bugs which could have been easily found.
- The first clue was the marks on the sheets, like a black + sign where the excrement of the bed bugs has gone into the weave of the material.
- The second clue is a black spot like someone marked it with a ball point pen.
- And by lifting the bed skirt covering the box spring and checking the white sheet underneath for any bed bugs or skins.
Entering a hotel room, I place my luggage on the horse provided, then I carry out my inspection. I always focus on the head of the bed because they like to stay close to their host.
I slide the mattress down the box spring about 12” to expose the top of the bed skirt and the box spring. You are looking for any of the above clues. If the headboard is not too heavy, then I lift it off its brackets and check behind and along the bottom edge, as this is not sealed and a good hiding place. Then I take the sheet off the mattress at the head of the bed and check for clues.
These are my own guide lines that I carry out when I stay in hotels and this may help you when you are traveling. If I find anything suspicious then I will ask for another room, hope this has helped and you will sleep better.
