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Posts Tagged ‘Rat Exterminator’

Keep Rats Out of Your Home with J&J Exterminating

Rats are among the most common and troublesome pests found in homes across the United States. Not only are they destructive, chewing through wiring, insulation, and even furniture, but they also pose serious health risks by spreading diseases through their droppings and urine. The problem becomes more severe as rodents multiply quickly once they establish themselves in your home.

At J&J Exterminating, we understand the importance of keeping your home safe, clean, and rodent-free. This blog will explore why rat infestations happen, how to prevent them, and how our professional team can help protect your home.

Understanding What Attracts Rats to Your Home

Rats don’t just show up out of nowhere—they’re drawn to specific conditions. Most often, these conditions involve an accessible food source, water supply, or a cozy place for shelter. Below are a few factors that make your home attractive to rodents:

  • Cluttered Spaces: Accumulated clutter in areas like the basement, attic, or garage creates hiding spots for rodents.
  • Unsealed Food & Trash: Open food containers, overflowing garbage bins, and leftover pet food are open invitations to rats.
  • Cracks & Gaps: Small holes in walls, poorly sealed doors, or damaged screens provide easy entry points.
  • Overgrown Yard: Overgrown vegetation and piles of leaves or wood near your home serve as ideal habitats for rats.

Understanding these common attractants gives you the upper hand in safeguarding your property.

Why It’s Important to Act Quickly

Rats breed rapidly. A single female rat can have up to 12 offspring in just one litter—and she can have six litters in a single year! This means that a small rat problem can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation. Beyond the risk of property damage, rats carry diseases such as leptospirosis, hantavirus, and salmonella, making a swift response vital to protect your family’s health.

7 Tips to Keep Rats Out of Your Home

1. Seal Entry Points

Rats can squeeze through holes as small as a quarter. Inspect your home for cracks in the foundation, holes in walls, and gaps around windows or doors. Use heavy-duty materials like steel wool, caulk, or expanding foam to seal these openings.

2. Store Food Properly

Store all food, including pet food, in tightly sealed containers. Avoid leaving leftovers on kitchen counters, and clean up after meals immediately to remove crumbs or food scraps.

3. Dispose of Waste Correctly

Keep trash bins tightly sealed and take out the garbage frequently. For outdoor bins, ensure they have secure lids to prevent access by rodents.

4. Declutter Your Home

Rats thrive in undisturbed areas. Organize storage spaces, especially in basements, attics, and garages. Avoid leaving cardboard boxes untouched for long periods, as these can double as nesting material.

5. Maintain Your Yard

Trim overgrown bushes, mow the lawn regularly, and remove piles of leaves or firewood close to your home. This reduces hiding spots for rodents near your property.

6. Fix Plumbing Issues

Rats need water, so make sure there are no leaky pipes or dripping faucets in your home. Adding mesh screens to drains can also prevent rats from sneaking in through plumbing systems.

7. Get Professional Help

If you suspect a rat problem—or simply want to prevent one—contact a pest control service like J&J Exterminating. Our experts use proven methods to not only remove rats but also implement preventative measures to stop their return.

How J&J Exterminating Helps Protect Your Home

Trying to tackle a rat infestation on your own can be overwhelming and ineffective. At J&J Exterminating, we specialize in identifying, treating, and preventing rodent issues quickly and efficiently. Here’s what you can expect when you work with us:

  1. Thorough Inspection

Our team inspects your property to locate rats, their nests, and entry points.

  1. Customized Treatment

We design a rodent control plan tailored to your home’s specific needs, combining trapping, baiting, and exclusion methods.

  1. Preventative Measures

Beyond treatment, we help you fortify your home with practical solutions like sealing entry points and advising on long-term prevention tips.

  1. Guaranteed Results

With over 60 years of experience, J&J Exterminating stands by our promise of effective pest control. Our service guarantee ensures unlimited callbacks, so you can have peace of mind.

Located in Louisiana and Texas, we’re proud to serve 15 communities with exceptional pest control services. Our trained exterminators go above and beyond to deliver solutions that protect families, homes, and businesses from harmful pests.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I know if I have a rat problem?

Common signs include droppings, gnawed wires or furniture, nests made of shredded material, and scratching noises in walls or ceilings.

Are DIY traps effective for controlling rats?

While traps may catch a few rodents, they rarely address the source of the infestation. Professional pest control services ensure long-term results.

How quickly can J&J Exterminating address a rat infestation?

We offer a 24-hour response time, ensuring prompt service when you need it most.

Does your service include preventative measures?

Absolutely. We work with you to identify ways to make your home less inviting to rodents, helping prevent future issues.

Protect Your Home Today with J&J Exterminating

Rats are more than a nuisance—they pose serious risks to your health, property, and peace of mind. With just a few preventative measures and the help of experts like us at J&J Exterminating, you can keep your home rodent-free year-round.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Visit jjext.com to request a FREE estimate today. Together, we’ll ensure your home stays safe and pest-free.

Keeping Rodents Out This Fall With J&J Exterminating

As the leaves begin to change and temperatures start to drop, you might find that you’re not the only one seeking a cozy space to spend the fall. Rodents such as mice and rats are also on the lookout for warm places to nestle in, and your home could be their prime target. Fortunately, J&J Exterminating is here to help you keep these unwelcome guests out this fall.

Why Rodent Control Matters

Rodents are more than just a nuisance. They can:

  • Damage Property: Rodents chew on wires, insulation, and even structural parts of your home, leading to costly repairs.
  • Spread Diseases: Diseases like Hantavirus, Salmonella, and Leptospirosis can be transmitted through rodent droppings and urine.
  • Contaminate Food: Rodents can infiltrate your pantry and contaminate food supplies, leading to waste and potential health risks.

Key Tips for Rodent-Proofing Your Home

1. Seal Entry Points

Rodents can squeeze through remarkably small openings. Inspect your home for gaps, cracks, and holes, and seal them with materials like steel wool, caulk, or metal sheeting. Pay extra attention to:

  • Doors and windows
  • Roof vents and eaves
  • Utility pipes and wiring entry points

2. Keep Food Secure

Store food in airtight containers and clean up spills immediately. Don’t forget to secure pet food and birdseed, which can also attract rodents.

3. Maintain Yard Cleanliness

Keep your yard clean and tidy to reduce hiding spots for rodents. Trim back tree branches and shrubs that are close to your home, and dispose of garden waste promptly.

4. Eliminate Water Sources

Rodents need water to survive. Fix leaky faucets, and ensure that your gutters and drainage systems are working properly to avoid standing water.

5. Use Traps and Baits

Strategically place traps and baits around areas where you suspect rodent activity. Be sure to follow safety guidelines and keep them out of reach of children and pets.

Why Choose J&J Exterminating?

J&J Exterminating has been a trusted name in pest control for years, offering:

  • Expertise and Experience: Our team of certified professionals uses the latest techniques and products to effectively control rodent populations.
  • Customized Solutions: We tailor our rodent control strategies to fit the unique needs of your home and environment.
  • Preventative Measures: Beyond eliminating current infestations, we focus on preventive measures to ensure long-term protection.

Don’t wait until you see the telltale signs of a rodent infestation. Take proactive steps this fall to protect your home and family from these unwanted intruders. Contact J&J Exterminating today to schedule an inspection and take the first step towards a rodent-free home.

Ready to secure your home? Contact J&J Exterminating today and keep rodents out for good!

Signs You Have a Norway Rat Infestation

As a homeowner, protecting your family and property from potential harm is always a top priority. One of the most common pests that invade homes is the Norway Rat. These rodents are notorious for causing damage to homes, contaminating food sources, and spreading diseases. It is essential to recognize the signs of a Norway rat infestation so you can take necessary steps to eliminate them from your property. In this blog post, we will explore the signs you have a Norway rat infestation and how you can eradicate them.

Seeing the Rats

The most obvious sign you have a Norway rat infestation is actually seeing the rats in and around your home. Norway rats are typically larger than other rat species, and they have coarse brown fur. They are known for their burrowing habits and will often create nests in attics, basements, and crawl spaces. If you see rats running across your yard or within your home, it’s time to call pest control.

Droppings

If you don’t see the rats themselves, another common sign of a Norway rat infestation is their droppings. Their feces are typically pointed at one end and blunt at the other. You may find them around your food storage areas, near walls or in eaves, and in the corners of your home. Be careful when cleaning up droppings, as they can carry diseases harmful to humans.

Gnaw Marks

Norway rats have to constantly gnaw to keep their incisors sharp. Therefore, evidence of gnaw marks can also be a sign of a rat infestation. Check for bite marks on wooden surfaces, wires, and plastic containers. If you have experienced damage to the wiring of your home, it is also possible that the rats are the cause of it.

Strange Noises

Rats are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active at night. Hearing strange noises, such as scratching, scurrying, or rustling, in your walls or attic during the night can be another sign of a Norway rat infestation. Rats can also create a lot of noise while burrowing, which can be heard during the day as well.

Damage to Food Sources

Norway rats will eat anything from grains to meat. If you notice that boxes of food or bags have been gnawed or torn, it could be a sign of a rat infestation that is targeting your food sources. Norway rats like to store food near their nests, so it also worth checking in and around storage areas for signs of food hoarding.

If you notice any of the above signs, it is important to contact a professional pest control specialist immediately. Norway rats can cause an immense amount of damage to your home and can spread harmful diseases to your family. Taking steps to prevent a rat infestation is crucial to keeping your home and family safe. Remember, prevention is key when it comes to Norway rats, so make sure to keep your home clean, store food properly, and seal any potential entry points to avoid them from ever coming back.

Most Effective Rat Prevention Measures

When trying to prevent rat infestations, there are several measures that you can take to ensure that your home is safe, and some of these measures are more effective than others. In this article, we’re going to go over the measures that have been shown to work time after time.

Exclusion measures

A big part of the prevention process is the implementation of exclusion measures. As the name suggests, these measures are all about keeping the rats out of your home and off your property. One such measure is a rat proof-fence, which rats cannot climb over or dig under. Another exclusionary measure is finding and sealing all the entry points on the exterior wall of the home. Basically, if there are holes and cracks large enough in the wall for rats to get through, these will need to be sealed.

Hygiene and food denial

Exclusionary measures can be quite effective, but you can’t always make sure that every single tiny crack is closed off. For example, there may be a loose shingle on your roof, and the rats will use it to gain access. So to further improve the efficiency of your preventive measures, you want to remove as many incentives as possible for rats to get in. These incentives include a suitable environment and food sources. Rats thrive in messy environments that are filled with clutter. It doesn’t mean that they are repelled by a clean home, but they are less likely to find it attractive.

Rats also have a very strong sense of smell to the point where they can smell food inside the home from the outside. This is why you want to keep all food sealed and all leftovers and food that you throw away in lidded trash containers.

Devices

Traps and poisons are well-known, effective rat control tools, but they can also be used for prevention. If you can entice a rat with traps and poisons before it builds a nest, you have stopped an infestation before it even begins.

When used to remove an existing infestation, traps and poisons are tools best handled by a pest control professional.

For more information on how to prevent a rat infestation in the most effective manner, or if you are dealing with an infestation and you need professional help, contact us today.

Dealing With A Smart Rat? Here’s How To Catch It

Rats may come across as stupid animals – after all they fall for obvious traps all the time. But as it turns out, they are quite intelligent. First off, they are very paranoid of any object that is new to their environment. Second, they will avoid areas where other rats have died, and foods that have killed other rats. This makes the rat control process a lot more difficult than first meets the eye. Here is how professionals deal with the natural intelligence of rats.

Use the proper bait

With rats, it’s very easy to use improper bait, because of the cheese myth. Contrary to popular opinion, rats are not really that fond of cheese. They’ll eat it, just like they eat trash, but they’re not very excited about it. In fact, they will go for grains or pet food over cheese, and if cheese is the only reward waiting outside the rat’s comfort zone, the rat would rather stay comfortable. So instead of going with cheese try something like candy, sausage or peanut butter.

Get them used to the control methods that you are implementing

Rats are naturally weary of any changes in their environment. In the wild, these changes could point to the presence of a hidden predator, such as a snake. This is why it’s important to acclimate the rats to any control method that you plan to use. If you are using traps, bait them, but do not arm them, and if you plan on using poisons, just use the clean bait for a few days.

Use tracking powders

Placing the traps or poisons in the right position is essential to their effectiveness, and in order to do this, you have to figure out where mice are most active. Sometimes, this is a simple task – you just have to find the droppings. At other times, you will have to get a bit ingenious. By using tracking powder you can find out the various paths that the rats use to travel through the home, and then place your traps or poisons close to these routes.

These are just a few of the tips and tricks pros use to make sure that their control method of choice is as effective as possible. For more information on how to deal with rats effectively, or if you have an infestation that should be removed, contact us today.

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J & J Exterminating, Inc.

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105 S College Rd
Lafayette, La 70503
Phone : (337) 234-2847
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J&J Exterminating, Inc.