Differences between Rats and Mice: Why it matters?

Rats and mice are common creatures that can gain entry into the home. Homeowners do not wish to see these creatures and once spotted, want them removed pronto! While both creatures are from the rodent family, they are different and knowing these differences will assist in getting rid of mice as well as knowing the effects of having such creatures in the home.

Mouse vs. Rat
There are many differences between a mouse and a rat. To get started, mice are more curious creatures while rats are more reserved. A rat will avoid new things in its path while a mouse will not. This is why traps can be harder to use when catching a rat. A trap will have to be placed unset for the rat to become used to the new item before it can be set and used to catch the rodent.

However, mice are very curious and will take a look at anything new. Simply set a trap and they will be checking it out. Mice tend to be easier to catch than rats. Mice are smaller in size, which make them quicker than rats, who are their larger counterpart.

Mice Living/Breeding/Movement
Mice tend to enjoy eating most anything but especially grains and plants. A mouse will create a nest in a hidden area that is located near food. Mice can produce quickly and an infestation can easily occur over time if mice problems are not taken care of. Getting rid of mice can be more difficult when they start to breed which can lead to mice in the walls, attic spaces and constantly running through the home. Getting rid of mice in the walls is even more difficult and will require the assistance of a professional so be sure to handle any problem quickly to avoid an infestation.

Rats Living/Breeding/Movement
Much larger than mice, rats will eat almost anything and tend to lean more towards meat and grains. Rats will dig under buildings, plants and along fence lines as they burrow for a home. A female can have six litters with as many as 12 rats per litter, which can mean a multitude of rats in your home if an infestation is not handled correctly. Rats have the ability to enter a home in a hole as small as ½ inch in diameter so even the tiniest of openings can lead to a rat coming inside the home.

Professional Removal
Once you realize you have a mouse or rat problem, it’s time to take action. You can do your own DIY catching treatments but in most cases the rodents come back. Professional rodent removal experts will be able to assist you in removing the creatures and finding where they are gaining entry into the home. A plan will be put in place based on an inspection of your home, leading to the catching and releasing (far away) of the mice or rats.

When you are in need of pest removal service, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control for assistance. The experts at Skedaddle will be able to provide you with proficient rodent removal service for your home.

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Help raccoons are digging up my Lawn!

There are many critters that can be damaging to your landscaping. Animals like to dig holes, create homes and generally make a mess in neighborhoods. If you are a homeowner who is experiencing issues with raccoon damage, it is important to learn how to remove such animals from your life. Below are a few tips on how to avoid raccoon damage to your landscaping as well as home. 

Landscaping Damage
Raccoons are diggers and scavengers. The creatures like to get into everything and home owners are never happy with the results. No one wants to see their yard dug up, especially a garden space. Raccoons love to eat and will easily dig up garden veggies just to have a meal. It is important to learn how to make raccoons go away so you can enjoy your home without damage. 

Light Up the Space
If you have raccoons making nightly visits, consider lighting up the space. Raccoons are nocturnal creatures who come out at night to eat their meals. To keep raccoons from getting into your garbage or in your garden, add a motion light. Motion lights are very affordable and can be added anywhere around the home. When motion is detected, the light will come on. The light will scare the raccoon and make the animal go away. This is a great way to avoid having this type of creature in your yard space. 

Garbage Control
Garbage is a big prize for raccoons. The garbage cans of a home are easy pickings, especially if they are easily accessible. It is important for home owners to keep the garbage area cleaned up. Lids should close well so that raccoons cannot dump the garbage out. Raccoons can easily overturn a can and get into the garbage. If you find that raccoons are getting into your garbage try moving the cans to a new location or getting better receptacles that will close tightly. 

Make Noise
Racoons also do not like noise, so making any loud sound in the area they are frequenting can work to get the animal to stay away. Consider placing a radio tuned to talk shows in the garden area for a few nights to see if the raccoons stay away. Try this for some time and if you are successful, remove the radio. Hopefully the raccoons will stay away. If not, try the method again for a longer period of time. 

Fencing
If raccoons are affecting a particular area of your home, consider adding fencing. A mesh fencing that is installed down deep and high will keep the creatures out of your yard. Raccoons cannot climb well but can dig. You want to make sure you have a fence installed that is high and deep enough to keep the raccoons at bay. 

Professional Removal Service.
Raccoon removal Toronto services will ensure that the raccoons are removed from your property and never come back. A service company will be able to inspect your home and find the areas in which the raccoons are accessing your yard. A plan of action will be made to remove the animals and make sure they do not return. Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control for assistance in removing raccoons from your property.

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Rat Bite Fever Causes Symptoms and Treatment

Rat bite fever is a serious disease that oddly enough does not always come from being bitten by a rat. Individuals are most commonly affected by rat bite fever due to contaminated water or food that has been infected by a rat in the home. If not treated, an individual can become very ill and even die. Learn how the fever is contracted as well as symptoms and treatment options if infected. 

Transmission of Rat Bite Fever
Rat bite fever is transmitted in a few ways. First, individuals can be affected by being scratched or bitten by a rat, mouse or gerbil. Anyone who handles a rodent that has the disease can become infected even without being scratched or bitten. Food or drink that has been contaminated with rat bite fever can lead to infection. Once you have rat bite fever, you cannot transmit the disease to another individual. 

Symptoms of Rat Bite Fever
There are two types of rat bite fever. The first is known as streptobacillary RBF and has symptoms such as fever, vomiting, headache, pain the muscles, joint pain or rash. These symptoms will begin around 3 to 10 days after being exposed to an infected rodent. After two to four days after a fever begins, a rash will occur on hands and feet. 

The second type of rat bite fever is known as spirillary RBF. Symptoms of this type include fever, an ulcer on the bite wound, swelling near the wound, swollen lymph nodes and rash. Symptoms take longer to develop with this type, from 7 to 21 days after being exposed. 

Treatment
If you believe you are suffering from rat bite fever, contact your health care provider immediately. You want to let your physician know that you have been exposed to rats and that you need treatment. Your doctor should prescribe you antibiotics that will help to cure the disease with penicillin the most commonly used medication for treatment. 

Without treatment, you can suffer from major health concerns such as infections in the heart, brain and lungs. Abscesses in internal organs can also take place. Death is rare with infection of rat bite fever but can happen if the issue is not treated by a professional. 

Avoid Exposure
The best way to avoid rat bite fever is to avoid exposure with rodents. If you have rodents in the home, have a professional remove them. Getting rid of rodents is a tough job and most homeowners are not equipped to handle removal. By contacting a professional removal company, you will be able to have the experts handle the rodent removal with ease. 

Once you have contacted a rodent removal company, an inspection of your property will take place. The threat level will be assessed and a plan put in place to remove the rodents as well as cleaning and treating the area. The pests are removed and the wildlife technician will recommend cleaning techniques as well as what to do to ensure that such creatures are not gaining access to your home again. 

For all your rodent removal needs, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. You will be working with expert rodent removal services to ensure you home is free from the unwanted pests.

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What is Integrated Pest Management?

Pests are a common occurrence in the home. Almost every home owner has experienced a pest of some kind in the home, be it a squirrel, bird, raccoon or other animal or insect. Most home owners are not experienced or equipped to handle pest infestations and this work is better left to the experts. Because infestations and pest issues can vary, it is important to work with a company who has experience with Integrated Pests Management and humane wildlife control. 

IPM is a solution that calculates and customizes strategies for your specific pest control needs. When it comes to pests in the home, every situation is different. A one-size-fits-all approach is not going to work. If you are in need of pest removal services, you want to work with a company who covers IPM solutions. 

Customized to Your Service Need
With IPM services, you will have access to options that are customized to your given situation. Pests are different as well as how they enter the home, where they have created a nest, etc. You want to have access to integrated pest management services to ensure your problem is taken care of correctly instead of just some basic service option provided. 

Understanding the IPM Approach
The approach of IPM is completed in three basic steps. These steps were created to make the process work with ease. 

Step 1: The Inspection of the Area
With this step, the area is inspected to determine what types of pests are involved, how they are entering the property, etc. The technician carefully goes over your home to gain the information needed to move forward. 

Step 2: Identification of any existing pest problems
Once the inspection is completed, the technician will be able to identify the pest problems at hand. Each pest will be cataloged and a plan of action put in place to be able to remove the critters from your home. 

Step 3: Removal and Exclusion
The last step will involve the actual removal of the pest along with exclusion. Various methods are used based on your given situation to remove the critters and put your home back in proper working order. Once the animal is removed, the technician will then work on exclusion. This means that a plan will be put in place to ensure the same type of infestation will not happen again. This can include blocking entry ways and filling gaps in seams of walls, foundation, windows and doorways. 

Identify and Avoid
Once the problem areas have been located, a wildlife technician will be able to help you implement IPM techniques as well as practices to resolve such issues. specific actions that are used in IPM services include:

Limited use or eliminating the use of chemicals
Structural repair and maintenance
Modifying behavior to prevent problems with rodents or insects (including garbage removal technicians, cleaning, etc.)

Professional assistance with humane wildlife control is always needed when pests enter the home. Consider working with Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control whenever you have an animal or insect issue. The company uses quality IPM techniques to ensure your situation is handled with a customized plan. Contact Skedaddle today to learn more about service options and schedule an appointment for inspection.

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