At Bestwest Building we see rodent control in Perth as one of the biggest problems facing households.

Rats and mice are carriers of a whole range of nasty diseases, so having them inside your home represents a health risk to you and your family.

There have also been cases where rodents have chewed through electrical cables and caused house fires, which has a whole host of obvious safety and financial ramifications.

The best method of rodent control is to stop them from becoming a problem in the first place. That’s why we’ve outlined the 8 easiest ways to ensure you can prevent any unwanted visitors from taking up residence in your house.

1. Look for the warning signs.

Damage caused by rodents occurs over time and often in a quiet manner. This can lead to a significant headache for homeowners when you only discover an infestation after it’s caused significant damage.

If you notice any rodent droppings, unpleasant odours, gnawing, scampering noises or your pets acting unusually, it could be a sign that you have a potential rodent problem on your hands and need to act fast to remedy it.

2. Remove any potential rodent habitats

Remove any potential rodent habitats (such as rubbish, clutter and small, confined spaces with openings) inside your house and clean up any excrement you find. Doing so will decrease the chances of spreading contaminants and will reduce your chance of illness and allergies.

3. Avoid feeding them

It is crucial that you avoid feeding any rodents as they are resourceful creatures. Don’t leave food scraps lying around and ensure all rubbish is covered at all times. Avoid leaving pet food out for long periods of time (unless in rodent-proof containers).

4. Ask your neighbours

Rats are usually a common problem for people that live in the same area, so it is best to discuss things with your neighbours and see if they’re experiencing similar issues.

If they are, the best course of action is to coordinate with the neighbourhood association or building manager to facilitate effective rodent control. If you don’t get your neighbours to fix their rodent infestation at the same time, chances are that they’ll just come straight back to your place once you get rid of them.

5. Place traps around the house

A variety of rodent traps are available and can be easily set up in your house. The additional use of baits can assist with locating potential nesting places.

Even if you don’t have a rodent infestation on your hands, setting up some precautionary traps can help to nip things in the bud before they become a problem.

6. Clean up garages and outdoors

Rats and mice love to nest in garages and outdoor areas like sheds, so it’s important you secure all entry points to prevent any unwanted guests.

It’s also advisable to trim all vegetation around your house to stop rats and mice from scaling your walls and getting access to your roof.

7. Inspect your roof space

Checking your roof on a regular basis for any damage to tiles, roof ventilators and vent screens. Early detection will allow for repair or replacement for any damage and help to stop rats and mice from entering your roof space.

8. Call a professional

If you discover that you have a rodent infestation issue on your hands, it’s best that you contact a pest control professional as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse the problem will become and the more expensive it will be to remedy.

At Bestwest we have years of rodent control experience under our belts and can make sure that your rodent issues are dealt with quickly and with as little fuss as possible. Get in touch to find out more.