Island life is great, but it’s not always all that it’s cracked up to be. When pests invade your Turks and Caicos homes, you’re often left with the headache of figuring out how to get rid of them before they cause any major problems. In the case of rodents, avoiding the problems that go along with an infestation is extremely important. Not only do rats cause issues inside our homes, but since they are not native to our islands, they also cause a lot of problems outdoors too, especially in reducing native bird and reptile populations.
The best thing to do when you encounter rats on Turks and Caicos is to get rid of them. But what’s the best way to do that? First, you should be aware of the issues that rodents cause. We’ve already mentioned the threat they pose to our native animals, but they are a threat to the humans they encounter as well. When rodents get into your home, they’ll begin to wreak havoc.
Damage
Rats will cause damage to your home and possessions. They’ll chew through items you have in storage, through walls and insulation, and even on electrical wiring. Not only does this cause potentially severe damage to your house, but it can also be a fire hazard.
Illnesses
Rats will leave you susceptible to illness. When they travel around your home, they’ll contaminate countertops and dishes, as well as leave waste products behind. This can, in turn, cause you and your family to contract illnesses, such as Salmonella or E.coli.
Parasites
Rats will introduce parasites to your home. Fleas and ticks are commonly found on rodents. If they enter your home, they’ll likely bring these parasites inside too, which can then leave their rat hosts and find a human or pet host.
It is important to eliminate a rodent infestation as soon as you discover one. Unfortunately, most DIY methods fall short and end up leaving the rats alive and well in your home. For instance, mouse/rat traps are a popular way to try to treat a rodent infestation yourself; there are a few reasons why this method is less than effective:
- You have to put them in just the right spot for a rat to be willing to approach the trap in the first place.
- Rats have excellent senses of smell, so if they catch any scent of you on the trap, they’ll avoid it.
- If the trap was previously successful, there’s a chance that they’ll be able to smell the other rodent’s scent on it and will stay away from it.
- Even if they take the bait, they’ll be on their guard. It’s possible for a rodent’s reflexes to be faster than a triggered trap.
Trying to eliminate rats on your own can also be dangerous. They will not hesitate to bite when feeling threatened, and you might end up with scratches too. Either of these injuries could cause more serious problems for you, from infection to illness.
Your best bet when encountering a rat problem is to call on the pros from Parkway Pest Solutions. We pride ourselves on using environmentally safe treatments to keep both your family and our island home healthy. Our Integrated Pest Management techniques ensure that we find and eliminate all rodents in your home in the safest way possible.
Give Parkway Pest Solutions a call to safeguard both your home and Turks and Caicos against the threat of rats.