Nueces County, Corpus Christi Rat Control Situation:
I was wondering what enzme-based cleaner you use to fog for urine. We are in the throes of cleanup & I was wondering what you use. We have a lake cottage in Corpus Christi TX, had the pest-control folks out to seal the perimeter, but it wasn't a very good job. So, I'm back at it myself. With foam, hardware cloth, flashing, and mortar in my toolkit. For the interior, we removed the ceiling and insulation to exposed the rafters and disposed of all of the material. So far, I've used odo-ban as a disinfectant, but I want to get at the remnants with an enzyme-based cleaner. We usually use the stuff from the pet store, but I'm not sure if that's adequate for this effort. I then plan on sealing the stains with Zinsser's Perma-guard to seal any remnants in the wood. Thoughts?
Hi david my name is Christine and we have a rental property that has a mouse or rat problem. I removed a large screen tv and there was a ton of feces urine and a live mouse. I have a feeling there's more because it smells really bad. How can we sterilize the floors and other areas ourselves? If you have any suggestions please let me know. Thank you
David, I appreciate your web site very much. You look delighted at getting these crummy critters to die! I found a small critter hole when I was spraying for insects the other day. We have been so careful to seal up everything but they made a tiny space in an outside corner that goes under the house by the kitchen sink. I have put some de tour rodent repellent at the entrance and have set 4 traps outside in some landscape bait stations. The problem is that I feed the birds, I love the birds. So the feed is in a large locked deck box right where they have made their entrance to the foundation. They have not got into the box but have chewed on the outside. And we live in The Woodlands, Texas. Yes, woods everywhere and critters too. We have it all here hawks, owls, birds, coyotes, bobcats, deer. The question is this... Is this best handled by a pro or can I handle this myself if I just get active and stay consistent?
Corpus Christi Rat Control Tip of The Week
Rats And Black Pepper
Rats eat almost anything. In their search for food, they can gnaw on plastic, wood, and even electrical wiring. A rat presence in your home can cause a lot of economic damage.
When this expense is added to the health problems rats' body fluids can cause, the best thing a person can do is getting them out of the house as soon as possible. The most common extermination way is using traps or rodenticides. However, there are more natural methods such as the use of peppers that cause unpleasant odors and tastes for the rodent and quickly drive them away.
Odors That Repel
Using repellents with unpleasant odors for rats is a way to keep them away from you in a friendly way. The advantage of not having to deal with the rodent's carcass can be worth the effort of constantly using these temporary methods. Rodents use their sense of smell to socialize as well as to survive. An odor such as ammonia often drives them away because it is very similar to the urine of large animals that could devour them. Spicy odors are perceived as dangerous chemicals that are also often avoided at all costs.
Black Pepper
Spicy food odors are unbearable for rats, thanks to their high capsaicin content. These natural compounds give the food its spicy effect, but they are also often very irritating to the mucous membranes and lungs of rodents. If ingested, they can cause a burning sensation in the taste buds and olfactory glands. Pepper is known to be able to scare away rats temporarily although this is not scientifically proven.
For all those people who are afraid of having to deal with poisons or homemade traps, finding new and less harmful options is a headache; however, homemade repellents like black pepper avoid harming other animals and humans, being a perfect choice. In any case, even if they are harmless odors, it is advisable to seek the advice and follow the instructions of a professional in the field.
